Iowa’s healthcare and social assistance sector comprises over 14% of the state’s employment, with more than 215,000 jobs in total. Registered nurses (RNs) hold over 30,000 of these jobs, making it the largest healthcare profession in the state. Iowa is also home to more than 20,000 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and 6,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

In Davenport, Iowa, you will find hundreds of RNs, LPNs, and CNAs working at major hospitals like Genesis Medical Center and Select Specialty Hospital - Quad Cities. To land a position at one of these top healthcare centers, aspiring nurses must complete a training program at an accredited school. Fortunately, the Davenport area has several well-regarded nursing programs. Saint Ambrose University leads both a prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program and an RN-to-BSN degree completion pathway. The Eastern Iowa Community Colleges offer an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) for aspiring RNs, a diploma in practical nursing for aspiring LPNs, and a 75-hour nurse aide certificate course for aspiring CNAs.

RNs must hold either a hospital diploma or a registered nursing degree at the ADN, BSN, or master of science in nursing (MSN) level. They must also pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination before practicing in Iowa. LPNs must complete an accredited certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree program in practical nursing. They must also pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. CNAs must complete a brief course and pass the state certification test.

With the right education and credentials, Davenport nurses stand to make attractive pay. The city’s RNs earn approximately $55,000 per year. Top earners, particularly those who hold a BSN and/or MSN degree, can take home $63,000-$76,000 annually. Local LPNs earn $42,000 on average and $47,000-$55,000 in the top quartile. The average local salary for CNAs is just under $25,000, with the top performers earning $30,000-plus per year.

To help Davenport’s aspiring nurses choose the best career path and education, we’ve profiled below each of the city’s accredited nursing schools.

Davenport nursing schools by NCLEX score

Morningside University
1501 Morningside Avenue | Sioux City, Iowa 51106
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 88.2% NCLEX pass rate (2009 through 2018)
  • DNP: Direct Patient Care Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Transformative Leadership
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Bachelor's Certificate: Clinical Outcomes
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Clarke University
1550 Clarke Drive | Dubuque, Iowa 52001
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 80.2% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Health Leadership and Practice
  • DNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's DNP Bridge
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Avenue | Des Moines, Iowa 50316
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 76.7% NCLEX pass rate (2009 through 2018)
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca Street | Sioux City, Iowa 51104
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 68.3% NCLEX pass rate (2009 through 2018)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificates
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Allen College
1990 Heath Street | Waterloo, Iowa 50703
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Coe College
1220 First Avenue NE | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Des Moines Area Community College
2006 Ankeny Boulevard | Ankeny, Iowa 50023
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Dordt University
700 Seventh Street NE | Sioux Center, Iowa 51250
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Eastern Iowa Community College District
306 West River Drive | Davenport, Iowa 52801
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Hawkeye Community College
1501 East Orange Road | Waterloo, Iowa 50701
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue | Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Central Community College
One Triton Circle | Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Lakes Community College
19 South Seventh Street | Estherville, Iowa 51334
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Valley Community College District
3700 South Center Street | Marshalltown, Iowa 50158
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Wesleyan University
601 North Main Street | Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Road | Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Boulevard SW | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Luther College
700 College Drive | Decorah, Iowa 52101
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Mercy College of Health Sciences
928 Sixth Avenue | Des Moines, Iowa 50309
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Mount Mercy University
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive | Mason City, Iowa 50401
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northeast Iowa Community College District
1625 Iowa Highway 150 | Calmar, Iowa 52132
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College
603 West Park Street | Sheldon, Iowa 51201
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwestern College
101 Seventh Street SW | Orange City, Iowa 51041
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Purdue University Global - Cedar Rapids
3165 Edgewood Parkway SW | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
  • Associate of Science in Nursing
Purdue University Global - Des Moines
4637 121st Street | Urbandale, Iowa 50323
  • Associate of Science in Nursing
Southeastern Community College
1500 West Agency Road | West Burlington, Iowa 52655
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southwestern Community College
1501 West Townline Street | Creston, Iowa 50801
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
St. Ambrose University
518 West Locust Street | Davenport, Iowa 52803
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Luke's College
2800 Pierce Street, Suite 410 | Sioux City, Iowa 51104
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Dubuque
2000 University Avenue | Dubuque, Iowa 52001
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Iowa
101 Jessup Hall | Iowa City, Iowa 52242
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Anesthesia Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University
605 Washington Street | Fayette, Iowa 52142
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University - Cedar Rapids
700 Bell Drive SW | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University - Des Moines
1119 Fifth Street | West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Iowa Tech Community College
4647 Stone Avenue | Sioux City, Iowa 51102
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
William Penn University
201 Trueblood Avenue | Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School Program NCLEX score Time period
Morningside University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 88.2% 2009 to 2018
DNP: Direct Patient Care Nurse Practitioner
DNP: Transformative Leadership
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
MSN: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Bachelor's Certificate: Clinical Outcomes
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Leader
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Clarke University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 80.2% 2012 to 2021
DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
DNP: Health Leadership and Practice
DNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's DNP Bridge
Grand View University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 76.7% 2009 to 2018
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Briar Cliff University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 68.3% 2009 to 2018
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificates
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Allen College Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Administration
MSN: Nursing Education
MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Coe College Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Des Moines Area Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Dordt University Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Eastern Iowa Community College District Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Hawkeye Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Indian Hills Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Central Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Lakes Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Valley Community College District Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Wesleyan University Bachelor of Science in Nursing
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Iowa Western Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Kirkwood Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Luther College Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Mercy College of Health Sciences Associate Degree in Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Mount Mercy University Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
MSN: Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
North Iowa Area Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northeast Iowa Community College District Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwestern College Bachelor of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Purdue University Global - Cedar Rapids Associate of Science in Nursing
Purdue University Global - Des Moines Associate of Science in Nursing
Southeastern Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southwestern Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
St. Ambrose University Bachelor of Science in Nursing
MSN: Nursing Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Luke's College Associate Degree in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Dubuque Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Iowa Bachelor of Science in Nursing
DNP: Anesthesia Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Administration
MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate DNP
Post-Baccalaureate PhD
Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University - Cedar Rapids RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Upper Iowa University - Des Moines RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Iowa Tech Community College Associate Degree in Nursing
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Nursing Assistant Certificate
William Penn University RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Category: 
Iowa