Associate of Science in Nursing — Iowa and Maine

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
20
Total Courses
$315
Cost per Credit
1.5 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Overview

Registered nurse is now the #5 job in the U.S. for the greatest expected growth from 2022 to 2032. Come back stronger, ready to meet the fast-growing demand and make a difference helping patients and communities.

  • Take courses online and complete lab and simulation experiences in the Cedar Rapids area, Council Bluffs, or Des Moines, IA, or Waterville, ME.
  • Complete your clinicals at a local health care facility equipped with the medical tools used in the field plus simulators for clinical scenarios.
  • Prepare for the NCLEX-RN® exam.
  • Earn bachelor's-level credits as part of the program to fast-track your BSN.
  • Get the credit you deserve. Students in Iowa and Maine with active, unencumbered paramedic or EMT licenses may receive course waivers or transfer credit for their experience.
  • Learn from faculty who are experienced professionals bringing you their nursing expertise from around the U.S.
  • Develop the knowledge and clinical skills to direct and manage patient care, communicate with patients and caregivers, and work as a member of a health care team.

Fast-Track Your Career With Our Two-Step BSN Pathway

Earn your ASN, launch your RN career, and get a head start on your bachelor's degree — all in under 2 years. Transition easily from your ASN into our online RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and start your BSN courses as you prepare for the nursing boards. Choose from two flexible ways to earn the in-demand BSN credential:

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information about the number of hours needed to complete the clinical requirement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

20% BSN Tuition Reduction

Our ASN graduates are eligible for 20% tuition savings on our standard online RN-to-BSN.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Board of Nursing Approval

The Associate of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Maine State Board of Nursing.

DAISY Foundation Accredited logo

Purdue Global School of Nursing proudly partners with The DAISY Foundation™ to recognize and celebrate extraordinary nursing students.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma and pass a criminal background check. You are also required to complete orientation before you start classes. Additional requirements apply. Refer to the program-specific policy page in the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

What Courses Will I Take?

This prelicensure nursing education program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures, increase your knowledge and competence, and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice. It includes a bachelor’s-level leadership and management course that can also be applied toward our BSN.

Sample Courses

  • Pharmacology for Nursing
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing
  • Maternal Infant Nursing
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
See All Nursing Courses

Program Requirements

50
Core Credits
66
Major Credits
116
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Lab and Simulation Experiences

Your clinical must be completed in one of the following locations:

Map of Cedar Rapids, IA

Map of Des Moines, IA

Map of Council Bluffs, IA

Map of Waterville, ME



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Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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Career Opportunities

An aging population combined with an increased emphasis on preventive care is expected to create demand for skilled nurses. In fact, over 193,000 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average from 2022 to 2032.

To become an RN, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®) after you graduate. Then you’ll have the both the skills and credentials to pursue opportunities in a variety of roles, settings, and specialties such as geriatric, maternal-infant, pediatric, mental health, and medical surgical nursing.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Our Commitment

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Associate of Science in Nursing and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with an associate’s degree in nursing.

View Brochure

Choosing a Nursing Degree

Deliver exceptional patient care for all. Discover tools and additional resources on the value of pursuing a degree in nursing.

Earning an Associate of Science in Nursing

Launch your nursing career, stack your degrees, and reach new heights. Take the first step towards the coveted RN credential.

List of Nursing Specialties

Discover the diverse variety of nursing specialties. Find additional resources on which roles may be right for you.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Clinical Experience: Students are required to complete their clinical experience in Cedar Rapids area, Iowa; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; or Waterville, Maine. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation, housing, and availability to attend clinical experiences. Clinical locations may change at any time.

Completion Time: Completion time based on a full-time schedule (2 to 3 courses per term). Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Nursing Licensure: Upon successful completion of the program of study, students may be academically prepared to apply to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Refer to Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information. NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

Job Growth for RNs: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm; and Most New Jobs, www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Tuition Reduction: Additional terms and conditions apply. May not be combined with other Purdue Global tuition reductions or ExcelTrack® pricing. Must be a first-time enrollee in the Purdue Global Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Speak with an Advisor for additional information.