Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) in Iowa & Maine

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Total Courses

$315

Cost Per Credit

1.5 years

Average Completion*

15–18 hours

Weekly Course Effort

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.
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

Move seamlessly from your associate’s degree in nursing to your bachelor’s degree with the ASN-to-BSN pathway in two steps:

Step 1: Earn your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree in under 2 years. You’ll complete three required BSN courses as part of your ASN to save time and money.
Step 2: Begin online courses in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program while you prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam and start your RN career.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

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

If you have an active, unencumbered EMT, paramedic, or LVN/LPN license, you may receive course waivers or transfer credit for your experience, enabling you to finish faster, for less. Connect with an Advisor to learn more.

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

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.

The Purdue University Global School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing Program (system) holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-909-2487.

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

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

In 2024, Purdue Global School of Nursing’s 85 NCLEX-RN exam takers achieved a 97.65% pass rate, 6.49% higher than the national pass rate of 91.16%.

Purdue Global pass rates by state:
Iowa 98.46% (compared to Iowa average of 92.83%)
Maine 95.0% (compared to Maine average of 91.98%)

Source: Purdue Global School of Nursing, May 2025. See Notes and Conditions for important information.

graphic of first-time nclex-rn pass rate 97.65% statistic

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

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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. You'll complete one bachelor’s-level leadership and management course and two BSN required core courses to give you a head start on your bachelor’s degree.

Sample Courses

Pharmacology for Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal Infant Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing

See All Nursing Courses

Core Courses

Major Courses

Total Courses

116

Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

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

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

How It Works

Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.

Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

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

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

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.

Tell me about a time during clinicals or a previous position when you cared for a patient who was uncooperative, angry, or difficult to communicate with. How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?
Describe a situation in clinicals where you had to explain a medical concept or procedure to a patient in simple terms. How did you ensure they understood?
Tell me about a time during your clinical rotation when you had to manage multiple tasks or patients at once. How did you prioritize your responsibilities?
In health care, processes are consistently undergoing change. Describe a time when your past or current position was undergoing change. How did that impact you, and how did you adapt?
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

Nursing Care
Communication
Nursing Process
Planning
Compassion
Coordinating
Critical Thinking
Home Health Care
Accountability
Nursing Practices
Medical Records Entry
Care Coordination
Discharge Planning
Ethical Standards and Conduct
Digital Literacy

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

View Brochure

Access the School of Nursing Prelicensure Nursing Student Handbook.

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

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

High job satisfaction rates, fantastic benefits, abundant opportunities — the reasons to become a nurse are wide and varied.

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

View Nursing Faculty Bios

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

Faculty members who have terminal degrees

Faculty publications in 2024–2025

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.

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.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

First-Time NCLEX Exam Pass Rates: Iowa: Report 1 — Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions, https://dial.iowa.gov/media/8864/download?inline=. Maine: NCLEX-RN "First Time" Test Takers Pass Rate, January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/docs/NCLEX%20Pass%20Rates%20Jan%20thru%20Dec%202024.pdf. National: 2024 Statistics from NCBSN, Number of Candidates Taking the NCLEX Examination and Percent Passing, by Type of Candidate, https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page.

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 – Nursing: 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.

Three-Week Trial: Students who inform Purdue Global they do not wish to pursue the program during the 3-week trial will not be charged. Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial, and will need to meet other specific requirements. Classes will be applied toward a degree if satisfactorily completed and students select to continue their studies at Purdue Global. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Graduate programs and BS in Professional Flight not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.

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.

Associate of Science in Nursing — Iowa and Maine

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Overview

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

20% BSN Tuition Reduction

Get the Credit You Deserve With ASN Specialized Pathways

National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)

Board of Nursing Approval

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Purdue Global First-Time NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2024

Calculate Your Time and Cost

What Courses Will I Take?

Sample Courses

Program Requirements

3-Week Trial

Admissions Requirements

Upcoming Start Dates

Lab and Simulation Experiences

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Transfer Credits

Prior Work Experience Reduction

Financial Aid

Grants and Loans

Corporate Partner Benefits

Military Tuition Reduction

Prior Military Experience

Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study

Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field

Download the Program Brochure

View the Handbook

Choosing a Nursing Degree

Earning an Associate of Science in Nursing

10 Reasons to Become a Nurse

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