IW nursing students practicing
IW nursing students

Nursing (Pre-Licensure to BSN or LPN to BSN)

The need for baccalaureate prepared nurses is on the rise. A BSN degree will prepare you with the critical thinking and leadership skills needed for safe, quality patient care.

Division of Nursing Mission Statement

The Iowa Wesleyan University Division of Nursing mission is to provide an educational process that empowers students to examine, practice, challenge, experience and critically reason across the continuum of care.

  • DEMAND: The need for baccalaureate-prepared nurses is on the rise. A BSN degree
    will prepare you with the critical thinking and leadership skills needed for
    safe, quality patient care.
  • PLACEMENT: Careers in nursing reside within hospitals, clinics, schools, industries, home
    health, hospice and more.
  • SPECIALIZATION: Nursing offers the ability to specialize within a clinical area or career field.
  • PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION: Nursing has been rated the most honest and ethical profession for 17
    consecutive years by the Gallup poll.
  • GROWTH: Learning is continuous and opportunities for advanced education are endless through the undergraduate nursing program.

Ceremonies and Awards

The nursing pin is worn by nurses to identify the undergraduate nursing program through which they completed their courses. They are traditionally presented to newly graduated nurses by the faculty at the pinning ceremony as a welcome to the profession.

The Iowa Wesleyan Nursing pin has been specially designed for Iowa Wesleyan University graduates. The gold nursing pin awarded to these dedicated nursing graduates is embossed with 3 special features:

  1. At the center of the pin, the Nightingale Lamp is set on an open book to signify the lamp of learning and the historical roots of the profession
  2. Above the Nightingale Lamp, a cross symbolizes Iowa Wesleyan’s foundation of faith affiliated with the United Methodist Church
  3. and, Along the border of the pin is engraved Iowa Wesleyan University and the year 1842 to identify the year IW was established.

This nursing pin denotes the wearer’s dedication to the profession of nursing and symbolizes the nurse’s allegiance to her or his alma mater.

The White Coat Ceremony is designed as a rite of passage to emphasize the importance of compassionate patient care at the very start of training. Students recite an oath to compassionate patient care and come forward during the ceremony to be “cloaked” in the iconic white coat that signifies their status as healthcare professionals.

The White Coat Ceremony was initiated in 1993 at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Arnold P. Gold, MD, a Columbia professor, believed that the oath to compassionate patient care taken by new physicians at the end of medical school came too late. Today, nearly every medical school in the United States, hundreds of nursing schools, and many other health profession schools participate in this tradition of humanistic care.

At Iowa Wesleyan University, during the undergraduate nursing program, students participate in the White Coat Ceremony during their first year of the nursing program to welcome them into their nursing education and clinical experiences.

The Lois M. Frels Nursing Hall of Fame was established in cooperation with the Frels family to recognize individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service and achievement in the advancement of the Iowa Wesleyan University Nursing Program.

Dr. Frels is credited with laying the foundation for the Nursing Program and guiding the program toward its accreditation.

Nursing Degrees Requirements

The Undergraduate Nursing Program requires a minimum of 120 total semester hours to graduate. Please see the Undergraduate Catalog or contact the Division of Nursing for information regarding admission requirements, minimum grade requirements, and further program information.

Pre-licensure to BSN Program

The pre-licensure program is designed for the student who has an interest in a career in nursing. The first year of the program is foundational, building on the liberal arts and sciences, with subsequent nursing courses offered in years two through four.

There are additional courses called Wesleyan Studies required by the University not included in this list. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires a minimum of 120 total semester hours to graduate.


Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 655 2.10(6), nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component may not be taken by a person:

  1. Who has been denied licensure by the board.
  2. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
  3. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

BIO 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
CHEM 175 General Chemistry I
ENG 109 College Composition
NUR 200 Introduction to Health Care Terminology

NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing I
NUR 206 Fundamentals of Nursing II
NUR 208 Physical Assessment
NUR 213 Basic Concepts of Pathophysiology
NUR 214 Basic Concepts of Pharmacology
NUR 305 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan I
NUR 306 Nursing Care of Mental Health Clients
NUR 309 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families and Children
NUR 310 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan II
NUR 405 Nursing Care in the Community
NUR 407 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan III
NUR 408 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan IV
NUR 410 Nursing Leadership and Management
NUR 411 Nursing Internship
NUR 413 Nursing Research
NUR 414 Preparation for Professional Nursing Practice

BIO 350 Microbiology
ENG 110 College Research
MATH 171 Elementary Statistics
PSYC 131 General Psychology
PSYC 251 Developmental Psychology
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology

Complete one (1) of the following:
WS 300 Global Issues
WS 315 Social Justice and Service
NUR/WS 380 Global Health Care

LPN to BSN Program

The LPN to BSN undergraduate nursing program is designed for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with a current LPN license. It can be completed in as little as 2 years.

There are additional courses called Wesleyan Studies required by the University not included in this list. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires a minimum of 120 total semester hours to graduate.


Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 655 2.10(6), nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component may not be taken by a person:

  1. Who has been denied licensure by the board.
  2. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
  3. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

BIO 241 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 242 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
BIO 350 Microbiology
CHEM 175 General Chemistry I
ENG 109 College Composition
ENG 110 College Research
MATH 171 Elementary Statistics
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
PSYC 131 General Psychology
PSYC 251 Developmental Psychology

NUR 208 Physical Assessment
NUR 213 Basic Concepts of Pathophysiology
NUR 214 Basic Concepts of Pharmacology
NUR 305 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan I
NUR 306 Nursing Care of Mental Health Clients
NUR 309 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families and Children
NUR 310 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan II
NUR 405 Nursing Care in the Community
NUR 407 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan III
NUR 408 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan IV
NUR 410 Nursing Leadership & Management
NUR 411 Nursing Internship
NUR 413 Nursing Research
NUR 414 Preparation for Professional Nursing Practice

Complete one (1) of the following:
WS 300 Global Issues
WS 315 Social Justice and Service
NUR/WS 380 Global Health Care

RN to BSN Program

This program is designed for practicing nurses that have achieved RN licensure. As part of your BSN degree program you will learn more about essential career advancing skills such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership.

Nurses Must Have a License for RN to BSN Program

There are additional courses called Wesleyan Studies required by the University not included in this list. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires a minimum of 120 total semester hours to graduate.


Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 655 2.10(6), nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component may not be taken by a person:

  1. Who has been denied licensure by the board.
  2. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
  3. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

Student Resources

Baccalaureate Nursing Programmatic Accreditation

The Baccalaureate Nursing Program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON)

Iowa Board of Nursing
Riverpoint Business Park
400 SW 8th St., Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
515.281.3255

The baccalaureate nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) (400 SW 8th st., Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309; 515-281-3255).

The baccalaureate nursing program at Iowa Wesleyan University located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

Student Achievement Data

For infomation on NCLEX-RN Pass rates, Employment Rates, and Completion Rates, please visit Student Achievement Data.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING. . .

Meet The Division of Nursing

mary tobin

Chair and Professor of Nursing
Science Hall; Room 319
319-385-6343

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Lisa Kongable

Division of Nursing Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Nursing
Science Hall; Room 316
319-385-6344

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Samantha Tarrence

Assistant Professor of Nursing
Science Hall; Room 309
319-385-6323

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Alexandria Pardall

Administrative Assistant, Nursing Division
Science Hall; Room 312
319-385-6345

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