Practical Nursing
You will graduate from this nationally accredited one-year program with the knowledge and training you need to thrive as a healthcare professional. Our program's academic rigor, exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art health simulation labs and emphasis on clinical experience is recognized as among the best in the state of Iowa. Graduates have a 96 percent national board pass on the National Council Licensure Examination for the past five years. Employment opportunities in Iowa and throughout the Midwest are very plentiful and graduates have a 100 percent job placement rate. Hands-on health simulation labs, equipped with manikins that exhibit symptoms and vitals of human patients, train you for a range of patient care treatment and medical emergencies.
If you have a passion for helping and caring for others, and want to make a difference in the lives of patients every day, this career is the perfect fit for you. Graduates of the Practical Nursing program may enroll as second-year students in our Associate Degree of Nursing program to become a Registered Nurse.
Accreditation and Awards
The Practical Nursing program at Northeast Iowa Community College was awarded full six-year accreditation by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. #1 Ranked Practical Nursing Program in Iowa.
Paying for the Program
Tuition and Fees
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
Program Supplies
Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance
There are many options available for tuition savings. Credit programs may have opportunities for Financial Aid eligibility, while non-credit programs have separate tuition savings available on a per-program basis.
Earn While You Learn
Kibbie Grant Eligible
Last-Dollar Scholarship
NICC Scholarship Eligible
Vo-Tech Grant Eligible
Learn more about Financial Aid.
Career Outlook
Enrollment Process
- Apply for admission.
- Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
- Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, or SAT® test scores. Reading and writing scores are valid for three years, and math scores are valid for two years.
- View the Program Admission Checklist.
- Complete the ATI TEAS Admission Assessment.
The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.
The Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 admission assessment is a standardized assessment to determine a student's readiness to successfully complete college nursing courses. Students must achieve a minimum score of 80 on both the reading and mathematics portions of the assessment.
Effective August 7, 2024, students will be required to complete the ATI TEAS entrance exam. This exam covers reading, math, science, and language usage. Students must complete the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum composite score of 58.7%. More information regarding preparation and exam registration can be found at https://www.nicc.edu/academics/programs-by-career/health-sciences/nursing-admissions-assessment/
Students who complete the HESI A2 with a minimum score of 80 in both Math and Reading prior to August 7, 2024 will have their scores accepted.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I w/Lab [BIO:168]
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II w/Lab [BIO:173]
- Dosage Calculations [PNN:200]
- Intro to Nutrition [PNN:270], Intro to Nutrition [HSC:221] or Nutrition [BIO:151]
All nursing students are required to complete a program orientation prior to entrance into the program. Online orientation information will be sent to students after acceptance to the Nursing program. In addition, students must participate in the mandatory Introduction to Nursing Concepts orientation, which is in term one of the Nursing program and is the first clinical course.
For clinical assessments, visual and hearing acuity is essential. Travel to clinical sites in outlying areas is required at times throughout the program. Students are responsible for any travel costs.
Program Information
View a sample schedule for this program of study.
Review program courses, admissions and academic requirements.
Additional Information
Nursing Policy and Procedure Manual
Gainful Employment Information
View gainful employment information for this program.
Licensure and Certification Disclosure
Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. Use this state guide to identify the states in which NICC program requirements fulfill the state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.
Simulation Labs
Nursing students have the opportunity to utilize the College's Health Simulation Laboratories at the Calmar and Peosta campuses for hands-on learning experiences.
Transfer Information
The Practical Nursing program maintains formal transfer partnerships with the institution listed below. Students are encouraged to speak with their transfer college or university to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet necessary requirements. Learn more about transferring from NICC.
Program Contacts
- Email: sandermand@nicc.edu
- Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 1280
- Location: Calmar
- Email: carlsonsa@nicc.edu
- Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 2209
- Location: Peosta