Iowa State expands nursing education with two new programs

New programs designed to support workforce needs while providing additional options for students

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Board of Regents has approved the addition of two new nursing programs at Iowa State University. The online Master of Science in nursing will launch in fall 2026, and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing will launch in summer 2027. These programs will join the university’s existing RN-to-BSN program.

“The expansion of our nursing programs will help meet critical workforce needs by preparing nurses, future educators and leaders who will strengthen healthcare throughout Iowa,” said Laura Jolly, dean and dean’s chair of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“The health of our communities has always been essential to Iowa State’s land grant mission,” said Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Delivering quality nursing education through this collection of pathways benefits both students and all areas that need nursing support, including rural Iowa.”

Master of Science in Nursing

Delivered fully online, Iowa State’s Master of Science in nursing will provide nurses with two tracks to advance their education.

The nurse educator track prepares nurses to teach in academic or clinical settings, supporting increased instructional capacity within nursing programs and contributing to workforce development.

The program’s second track, population health, focuses on prevention, data-driven decision-making, and the social and environmental factors that influence health across communities and systems.

The Master of Science in Nursing program will launch in fall 2026.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing is designed as an intensive, second-degree pathway that prepares new nurses and supports the state’s workforce needs. To enter the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree, complete a specific set of prerequisite courses, and hold a Certified Nursing Assistant credential.

“This rigorous program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing related field and who want to become a registered nurse,” said Dawn Bowker, director of nursing education. “By opening a nursing licensure pathway for people who have varied life experience, the program will help meet workforce needs and contribute to a more representative and culturally responsive nursing workforce.”

Students will graduate from the intensive 15-month, in-person program with strong foundations in clinical reasoning, simulation and professional practice and be prepared to take the NCLEX exam and become a registered nurse.

Additionally, the new program expands the university’s existing partnership with Mary Greeley Medical Center through a collaborative academic-practice model that provides shared resources, increases clinical learning opportunities and supports the growth of clinical instructors.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing will enroll its first class of students in summer 2027.

RN-to-BSN Program History

Iowa State launched its RN-to-BSN program in 2018 to support working nurses seeking to advance their career trajectory and meet employer requirements.

The hybrid nature of the program and ability for working nurses to enroll part time or full time, makes education accessible and supports nursing workforce retention. The program boasts a 94 percent graduation rate as compared to the national average of less than 60 percent.

The program also has a longstanding partnership with Mary Greeley Medical Center, enrolling current nurses and aligning with the hospital’s commitment to professional development and high-quality patient care.

“Our partnership with Iowa State is vital to our ability to recruit and retain outstanding nurses, and provide great care for our patients,” said Amber Deardorff, president and CEO of Mary Greeley. “This is particularly true with the RN-to-BSN program. BSN-prepared nurses bring advanced clinical judgment, strong evidence-based practice skills and a broader understanding of population health and quality improvement to Mary Greeley.”

Dana Kline is a nurse navigator at Mary Greeley and is a 2024 graduate of Iowa State’s RN-to-BSN program.

“The Iowa State University RN-BSN program provides rigorous, high-quality education with exceptional student support. I didn’t just earn another degree, I truly learned and grew professionally and personally,” shared Kline. “The rich classroom and clinical experiences gave me practical tools I use every day in my nursing practice. It was an investment that absolutely paid off.”

New RN-to-BSN cohorts begin each fall.

For more information about Iowa State’s nursing programs, visit nursing.iastate.edu.

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