Nursing A.A.S. 

School Year: 2024–25

Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer

You are required to wear your scrubs to the first day of lab. All items listed are available for purchase at the Main Campus Bookstore.

Nursing Patch: It must be worn on the left side of the scrub top.

Nursing Scrubs: Scrub tops and bottoms must match exactly.

Scrub Color: The scrub color must be Galaxy Blue. Purchase the same brand for both as dyes may vary and the top and bottoms must match. It is recommended to purchase two sets of scrubs as they are required for Clinic, Lab, and SIM, and these are often scheduled two days in a row.

Top: The unisex and female tops are the two styles allowed for Kirkwood Nursing Students.

Pant: Any straight leg (no cuff) scrub pant is acceptable as long as it fits well and is hemmed if needed. Pant hems should not touch or drag on the floor.

Jacket: A Unisex White Jacket is optional.

Shoes: Must be clean, have an enclosed heel and toe, rubber soled, with no holes in the top (athletic shoes are allowed), with no neon or extreme colors or patterns. Shoes must be worn with white or neutral color socks or stockings that coordinate with the scrubs and without ornamentation.

Kirkwood Clinic ID: Nursing student clinical ID badge is obtained at the Eaglecard office in the Allsop Computer Lab, Neilson Hall Room 131. Scrub top must be worn in ID picture. Cost is $10.

Students accepted into the Nursing program are required to have their own personal laptop computer, required software, and other equipment. All required technology is available for purchase at Eagle Tech on Main Campus.

Students who have not graduated from a U.S. high school, community college, or 4-year institution are required to meet the TOEFL requirements set forth by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON), to ensure success on the NCLEX.

TOEFL (for International Students)

TOEFL IBT of ≥ 84 with a Speaking score ≥ 26 required for students graduating from a non-U.S. high school, community college. An applicant shall be exempt from the requirement when the education was completed in a college, university, or professional located in:

• Australia
• Barbados
• Canada (except Quebec)
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

Other foreign language tests may be substituted for TOEFL IBT. Verification of the ability tread, write, speak, and understand the English as determined by the TOEFL or IELTS. A passing score is as follows:

• 560 for the paper-based TOEFL
• 220 for the computer based TOEFL
• 6.5 for the IELTS academic

TOEFL FAQs

How much does the TOEFL cost?

The exam cost is approximately $205.00 (price subject to change)

Do I need to take all four exams.
Yes.

Where is the testing center?
There are a number of testing centers easily accessible for our students.

• Davenport
• Des Moines
• Dubuque
• Cedar Falls
• Cedar Rapids
• Fort Dodge
• Sioux City

How soon do I need to take the TOEFL?
You will be required to provide your TOEFL scores to register for Introduction to Nursing, and to IBON prior to taking your NCLEX.

Where can I get more information?
Get the latest from TOEFL for more details, and checkout the Kirkwood Library for TOEFL Practice Test books.

Lauri Hughes
Pre-Nursing Advisor PRIOR to Assigned Permanent Advisor

Walk-In Advising by Appointment

Linn Hall, Room 2172

If you are new to nursing, looking for more information about Kirkwood's Nursing program, or have not been assigned an advisor yet, self-schedule a meeting with Lauri by clicking the button below. 

Schedule Now

Students in Kirkwood's Nursing program are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of HOSA, a global student-led organization exclusively for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

HOSA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

Within the scope of practice of the practical nurse, the Kirkwood nursing program graduates will:

• Patient-Centered Care: Provide compassionate patient-centered care to meet client physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual needs within the context of the family and the community.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to ensure the provision of safe, quality, effective care through the use of communication and relationship–building skills.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Use systematic assessment, critical analysis, and application of best evidence and practices to implement evidence-based health promotion, prevention, and condition management to optimize patient, family, and population health.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in the development and implementation of health care organization quality improvements.
•  Safety: Implement safe care practices for patients, families, communities, and members of the health care team.
•  Informatics: Utilize electronic medical records, intranet and internet resources, and other informatics resources and tools to make informed clinical decisions.
• Patient Self-Management: Facilitate patient self-management of health through planned education coordinated across the continuum of care to promote health, prevent illness, and manage health care conditions in the context of the family and the community.
• Professionalism: Perform all activities ethically and with integrity, always demonstrating a commitment to provide evidence-based, safe, quality, compassionate care for diverse patients, families, and communities.
• Leadership: Develop and use leadership skills to organize, motivate, and inspire health care team members to provide safe, quality, effective, and efficient patient care.

We train standout nurses! Our LPN graduates regularly pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exams, with graduate pass rates of 100 percent over the past four years. Current NCLEX-PN rates for all nursing programs in the state of Iowa are published on the Iowa Board of Nursing website.

If you are planning to work outside of the state of Iowa, please meet with the Dean of Nursing to make sure you are familiar with Nursing licensure requirements of that particular state. For more information, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.

The Kirkwood Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation through 2027.