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Nursing

Nursing is a career that allows upward mobility from CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, to MSN.

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Program Overview

Practical Nursing (LPN) Program

Practical Nursing program courses begin with basic skills such as head to toe assessments and medication administration. Throughout the program you’ll build your nursing foundation by covering health promotions throughout the lifespan and medical-surgical courses. Hands-on, real-life clinicals and simulated clinicals begin in term one.

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing (LPN) coursework, you will be eligible to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure exam, PN-NCLEX, and begin working as an LPN.

Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program courses take your Practical Nursing knowledge to the next level. Advanced assessments, skills, and pharmacology help transition to the next scope of practice. You’ll continue to build your knowledge through hands on clinicals, labs, and courses covering medical, surgical, community, mental health, geriatric, pediatric, and maternal child populations. At the end of the program students learn about holistic care for both the patient and nurse and complete capstone.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) coursework, you will be eligible to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure exam, RN-NCLEX.

Hands-On Learning Experiences

  • Van Gerpen Patient Simulator Laboratory: Train in the state-of-the-art simulation lab using realistic full-body manikins and simulators to replicate a range of hospital settings and patient scenarios in a controlled environment.

  • Clinical: Gain real-world work experience in local clinics and hospitals, public mental health institutions, and community health agencies ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Licensure and Certification

Graduates are eligible to take both the LPN and ADN NCLEX exam for nursing.

This program prepares the student for licensure in Iowa. See our State Licensure Google Sheet to identify the states in which Hawkeye's Nursing program requirements fulfill the state guidelines for professional licensure and certification. For additional information see: 

First-Time Licensed Practical Nurse Pass Rates *
2020 2021 2022
Hawkeye PN-NCLEX Passing Percentage 98.08% 92.86% 96.43%
National Passing Percentage 92.18% 91.54%

* First-time pass rates within six months of completing the Practical Nursing coursework at Hawkeye.

First-Time Registered Nurse Pass Rates *
2020 2021 2022
Hawkeye RN-NCLEX Passing Percentage 71.62% 80.49% 95.12%
National Passing Percentage 82.42% 82.27%

* First-time pass rates within six months of completing the Associate Degree Nursing coursework at Hawkeye.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Hawkeye Community College Nursing Program is to prepare nurses for entry level professional nursing practice that meets the diverse health care needs of individuals, groups, and communities. Faculty facilitate and guide the education of students in the art and science of nursing to provide quality, ethical, holistic, and culturally competent collaborative care.

The goals of the nursing program at Hawkeye Community College are:

  • To facilitate student success through an evidence-based curriculum that is student-centered.

  • To provide a curriculum with dynamic clinical and simulation experiences.

  • To provide a fair, firm, and consistent educational experience that prepares students for entry level practice.

  • To prepare students for successful completion of the licensure examination.

  • To maintain a nursing program that meets Iowa Board of Nursing regulatory standards.

Pledge of the Nursing Program Faculty

The pledge of the Nursing program faculty at Hawkeye Community College is to prepare safe, competent, and confident entry-level professional nursing graduates.

Professional Affiliation

This program is fully approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Iowa Board of Nursing
400 S.W. 8th Street Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309

Transfer Information

Hawkeye Community College is a member of the Iowa Articulation Plan, which creates a career path for Associate Degree Nursing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minimum of time and redundancy. For more information, contact a program advisor.

Upper Iowa University Nursing Dual Enrollment Accelerated Program

Start your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Upper Iowa before graduating from Hawkeye!

Through this program students complete their Associate Degree in Nursing through Hawkeye while starting their BSN at Upper Iowa University during the summer semesters. Learn more about the Nursing Dual Enrollment Accelerated program at the University of Upper Iowa.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Diploma
Length of Study 1½ – 2½ years
Course Format Face-to-Face
Class Meets Classes meet in the morning and afternoon on Main Campus.
Clinicals are held within the counties served by Hawkeye.
Tuition-Free Eligible

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Students must apply for and be awarded the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
 

Video Overview

Simulation Lab: The Heart of Hawkeye's Healthcare Programs

Hawkeye Community College's simulation lab can replicate real patient scenarios in a hospital-like setting. Hawkeye has patient manikins that cover the life span from infant, adolescent, adulthood and a birthing mom.

See More Video

Program Pathways

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Courses Details

Credits 16.5
Enrollment Full-time, Part-time
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 1
Time to Complete 4 months

Prerequisite Courses

  • Composition I
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • Introduction to Health Professions
  • Nurse Aide

Chemistry prerequisite: In addition to the prerequisite coursework, students must have completed two semesters of high school chemistry or CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry with a minimum "C" grade to be eligible for acceptance in the nursing program. See Admissions Requirements for more information.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for cost and additional course details.

Next step: Complete Nursing program admission requirements then continue to Term 1 of the Practical Nursing (LPN) diploma or the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Associate of Science (AAS) degree program.

Practical Nursing (LPN) Diploma

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 30
Program Start Fall, Spring
Number of Terms 2
Time to Complete 1 year
Course Format Face-to-Face
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Nursing – AAS (LPN/RN)
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Health Promotion & Maintenance Across the Lifespan
  • Introduction to Nursing
  • Introduction to Nursing Skills Lab
  • Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Nursing Clinical I
  • Nursing Clinical II
Term 2
  • Basic Health Alterations A
  • Basic Health Alterations B
  • Foundations of Nursing Skills Lab
  • Issues and Trends in Practical Nursing Leadership
  • Nursing Clinical III
  • Nursing Clinical IV
  • Nutrition

To participate in the Nursing program coursework you will be required to complete background screenings, including a criminal background check, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, and dependent adult registry before participating in clinicals. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to terms 3 and 4 of the Associate Degree Nursing Associate of Science (AAS) degree or graduate and enter the workforce.

Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Associate of Science (AAS) Degree

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 64
Enrollment Full-time
Program Start Fall, Spring
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Nursing – AAS (LPN/RN)
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Health Promotion & Maintenance Across the Lifespan
  • Introduction to Nursing
  • Introduction to Nursing Skills Lab
  • Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Nursing Clinical I
  • Nursing Clinical II
Term 2
  • Basic Health Alterations A
  • Basic Health Alterations B
  • Foundations of Nursing Skills Lab
  • Issues and Trends in Practical Nursing Leadership
  • Nursing Clinical III
  • Nursing Clinical IV
  • Nutrition
Term 3
  • Advanced Nursing Skills
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Community and Mental Health Nursing
  • Complex Health Alterations
  • Nursing Clinical V
  • Transition to Professional Nursing
Term 4
  • Complex Health Alterations B
  • Complex Maternal Child Health Alterations
  • Holistic Client Care
  • Issues in Nursing Management
  • Microbiology
  • Nursing Clinical Community and Special Populations
  • Nursing Clinical VI

To participate in the Nursing program coursework you will be required to complete background screenings, including a criminal background check, sex offender registry, child abuse registry, and dependent adult registry before participating in clinicals. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Associate of Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Health continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Graduates work in hospitals, long term care, skilled facilities, physician's clinics, and specialty clinics and departments such as pediatrics, intensive care, surgical, psychiatric, obstetrics, and cardiology.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Nursing Assistants $28,300 $32,400 $34,500
Home Health and Personal Care Aides $23,800 $29,600 $31,500
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) $40,600 $48,000 $51,700
Registered Nurses $53,400 $65,000 $70,800

Source: 2022 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN
MercyOne Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA
UnityPoint Health—Allen Hospital Waterloo, IA
Universal Pediatrics Cedar Rapids, IA
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Iowa City, IA
Waverly Health Center Waverly, IA

Program Admission

In order to be considered for the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) or Practical Nursing (LPN) program, students must provide the Admissions office with official documents showing completion of all requirements. These documents must show:

  • Updated assessment scores. -AND/OR-
  • A transcript or degree audit showing successful completion of course requirements (i.e. developmental coursework).

It is the student’s responsibility to:

  1. Monitor their progress towards meeting admissions requirements.
  2. Notify the Admissions office when requirements have been met.
  3. Provide the Admissions office evidence of meeting the requirements.
  4. Keep their contact information up to date and to routinely check their Hawkeye email.

Step 1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.

  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.

If you are a graduate of an accredited Practical Nursing program, please skip Step 2 and see Admission Requirements for Practical Nursing Graduates.

Step 2: Assessment Score/Success Course Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Nursing program, students must meet minimum score requirements and/or successfully complete the required college success course with a C- grade or higher at Hawkeye Community College or comparable courses at another accredited college.
ACT * COMPASS ACCUPLACER ACCUPLACER Next Generation ** High School
GPA		 Success Course **
Math 19 42 Algebra 85 Elementary Algebra 259 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics 2.80 MAT-063 Elementary Algebra
English 19 65 82 Sentence Skills -OR-
06 Essay		 253 Writing 2.80 ENG-061 College Preparatory Writing II
Reading 19 82 76 251 2.80 RDG-040 College Preparatory Reading III

* Applicants can take the ACT assessment or the ACCUPLACER Next Generation assessment at Hawkeye. Pre-registration is required.

** Success course credits do not apply towards graduation requirements. For appropriate success course placement, work with your Academic/College Success Advisor.

Step 3: Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for students who do not have a Practical Nursing degree

Students who do not have a Practical Nursing degree must successfully complete the following:

  1. All Term 0 — Prerequisite courses with required minimum grades

  2. Two semesters of high school chemistry or CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry with a minimum C- grade.

Courses may be completed at Hawkeye Community College or any accredited transfer institution with the exception of HSC-108 Introduction to Health Professions which must be taken at Hawkeye.

Admission Requirements for Practical Nursing Graduates

Students who have graduated from a Practical Nursing program must:

  1. Inform Hawkeye's Admissions office.
  2. Provide proof of successful completion of a Practical Nursing program via official transcript.
  3. Have successfully completed the following courses with required minimum grades:
    1. Two semesters of high school chemistry OR CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry (or equivalent) with a C- grade or higher.
    2. BIO-168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (or equivalent) with a B- grade or higher.
    3. BIO-173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (or equivalent) with a B- grade or higher.

While Hawkeye Community College is accepting Pass/Fail grades as an institution, due to accreditation, Hawkeye is not accepting College or High School Pass/Fail grades for any admission criteria.

Step 4: Application Status and Program Admittance

Eligible-Start Date to be Determined (ETBD) Application Status

Applicants who have successfully completed all admissions requirements will be given an Eligible-Start Date to be Determined (ETBD) application status.

The Eligible-Start Date to be Determined status date is according to the student’s prerequisite completion date. If students share the same prerequisite completion date, the registration date for the final prerequisite course will be used.

Your Anticipated Start Term

The Admissions Office provides Eligible-Start Date to be Determined (ETBD) candidates with an anticipated start term update up to two times a year in November and February, if necessary.

Program Admittance

The Nursing program begins each fall and spring semester.

The Admissions Office begins the admittance process for the fall semester in March and in October for the spring semester.

Admitted Students

Students admitted to the Nursing program must:

  • Be Healthcare Provider CPR certified.
  • Have a physical exam in Hawkeye Community College format prior to the first day of clinical course work. Admission to the Nursing program is not based on the physical examination.
  • Attend a Mandatory Compliance Training session.

Changes are taking place within healthcare facilities nationally. These changes directly affect all health programs at Hawkeye Community College. The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO), which accredits healthcare facilities across the country, enforced background screening September 2004 and has set requirements mandating that students in a healthcare field must now complete the same background check as hospital employees. As a Health student of Hawkeye Community College, you will be required to complete a criminal background check which includes fingerprinting that searches the following databases of sex offender, child abuse and dependent adult registry, and Medicare/Medicaid Fraud. The outcome could possibly affect your opportunities to participate in the clinical setting

Equal Opportunity Statement

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Vic Palmer Email Vic Palmer 319-296-4014 ext.1481 Hawkeye Center 208H
Clinical Coordinator
Lori Hansen Email Lori Hansen 319-296-2329 ext.1365 Tama Hall 107D
Nursing Administrative Chair
Tiffany Meike Email Tiffany Meike 319-296-4026 Tama Hall 110F
Administrative Assistant
Vickie Bogart Email Vickie Bogart 319-296-4010 Tama Hall 110
Dean
Troy Moran Email Troy Moran 319-296-4457 Tama Hall 110B

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