Kirkwood Community College Nursing (2026): ADN, LPN & Cedar Rapids Clinical Training

Kirkwood Community College delivers nursing on its Cedar Rapids main campus as a day program with early clinical immersion. The catalog explains that the first two semesters of the Practical Nursing and ADN tracks are identical, then students either complete PN diploma requirements for NCLEX-PN eligibility or continue into ADN courses for the AAS and NCLEX-RN. Kirkwood promotes a model hospital simulation setting alongside rotations through hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and community agencies.

Applicants should expect selective admission: the 2025–26 catalog lists prerequisite GPA, minimum grades in key science and nursing intro courses, math placement (for example ACT math ≥19 or ALEKS 30), and CNA or Health Support Professional credentialing before the technical sequence, plus background checks and immunizations. Licensed LPNs may use the LPN Transfer plan to finish ADN semesters.

Reasons students choose Kirkwood

The list below reflects Kirkwood’s Nursing program pages and the 2025–2026 catalog (Nursing – LPN/RN, A.A.S. and Nursing – LPN Diploma). Kirkwood does not award a BSN; RN-to-BSN completion happens through transfer partnerships after licensure.

Pre-licensure

Prerequisite credential

Nursing admission requires completing a Certified Nursing Assistant (or approved Health Support Professional) pathway before the technical sequence; Kirkwood offers CNA training through Continuing Education.

Post-licensure (transfer)

Kirkwood lists RN-to-BSN transfer options including Allen College, Briar Cliff University, Iowa State University, Morningside University, Mount Mercy University/St. Ambrose University, University of Iowa College of Nursing, and Western Governors University, among others—the BSN is awarded by the transfer institution.

According to the Iowa Board of Nursing RN Program Data report (source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing Program Summary, Licensure Examination Reports, table years 2021–2025), Kirkwood Community College recorded a 94.70% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 among 151 first-time candidates in the Associate Degree (ADN) row.

For Practical Nursing graduates, the Board’s LPN Program Data table lists a 98.15% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2025 (108 first-time candidates) for Kirkwood. These are regulatory statistics, not internal marketing figures—always confirm the newest file year on the Board’s website.

Kirkwood admits international students for many programs, but nursing clinical courses have additional compliance requirements (immunizations, background checks, clinical agency rules). Iowa licensure by examination also requires lawful presence verification (SAVE) through the state’s licensing process. Use the checklist below as guidance—not legal advice.

Kirkwood nursing uses selective admission. The 2025–26 catalog lists prerequisite GPA of 2.75, minimum C grades in most courses (with B- minimums in Introduction to Nursing and Anatomy & Physiology I and II), limits on repeating prerequisites, and science recency rules. Students must complete a program conference during the first semester of prerequisites, attend a New Student Orientation, and meet CNA or Health Support Professional requirements before admission to the technical sequence.

Math & placement

The catalog lists math readiness through ACT math ≥ 19, ALEKS algebra score of 30, college math equivalency, or an earned associate degree or higher (scores expire after two years). Confirm placement with Kirkwood testing services.

Application timeline

Admissions snapshot

Kirkwood publishes per-credit tuition for 2025–26 on its Tuition & Costs page. Nursing program pages also list total estimated program costs (including fees, books, testing, uniforms, and clinical expenses) for ADN, PN, and LPN Transfer tracks—use those tables for a full program budget, not just tuition.

Kirkwood publishes program learning outcomes on its nursing pages (patient-centered care, safety, evidence-based practice, etc.). For job placement percentages, use the college’s career services or consumer information disclosures—this guide does not state a placement rate without a sourced figure.

Kirkwood fits students who want a Cedar Rapids–based community college ADN or PN pathway, can meet prerequisite GPA and CNA expectations, and plan clinical schedules around day programs. It may be less ideal if you need a single-campus BSN without transferring or cannot attend in-person labs and clinical rotations.

Cedar Rapids and the broader Iowa City–Cedar Rapids corridor host major acute-care hospitals, specialty clinics, behavioral health services, long-term care, and community agencies. Kirkwood’s nursing materials describe clinical experiences across hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, mental health facilities, home health, and specialty settings—exact rotations vary by cohort.

Clinical assignments are determined by the program—not chosen independently. Confirm the current affiliation list with Kirkwood nursing leadership.

Kirkwood’s nursing program is delivered on the Cedar Rapids main campus (Linn Hall Health Sciences area) as a day program with skills labs, simulation, and required laptop-based testing. Health Sciences students may join Kirkwood’s chapter of HOSA. Nursing advising and the Department of Nursing office support progression through prerequisites and technical courses—expect a commuter-heavy student body with structured clinical compliance deadlines.

Contact & location

Main campus

Cedar Rapids, IA

Address

6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, US

Telephone

319-398-5411 (main) · Toll-free 800-332-2055

Health Sciences / Nursing

Linn Hall · 319-398-5563 · health@kirkwood.edu

Financial Aid

financialaid@kirkwood.edu · 319-398-7600

Website

kirkwood.edu

Official links

Your “Next 7 Days” checklist

• Register for a Nursing Program Conference during your first prerequisite semester (required before Introduction to Nursing).
• Review the 2025–26 catalog prerequisites and grade rules for your pathway (ADN vs. PN vs. LPN Transfer).
• Plan CNA or Health Support Professional completion if you have not yet met the admission credential.
• Compare your transcripts to prerequisite courses and science recency rules.
• Bookmark the Iowa Board of Nursing statistics page for NCLEX updates.
• Contact health@kirkwood.edu with questions about laptops, uniforms, and clinical compliance.
• Review CPR (AHA BLS Provider) and immunization requirements so clinical onboarding is not delayed.

About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.

Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment of NCLEX figures with Iowa Board of Nursing RN/LPN Program Data PDFs (2025 tables), tuition and program cost figures with Kirkwood’s published Tuition & Costs and Nursing pages, and ADN accreditation language with Kirkwood’s CNEA disclosure.

Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Kirkwood Community College and the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy