Mount Mercy University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, houses nursing in the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health: a pre-licensure BSN, RN-BSN, online MSN (Health Advocacy, Nurse Administration, Nurse Education), and a DNP with an FNP-DNP pathway and post-master’s options. This guide cites Mount Mercy’s program and tuition pages, 2026–27 billed tuition, and first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for Mount Mercy’s baccalaureate row from Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 (NCSBN-based)—confirm every detail with Mount Mercy and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Mount Mercy anchors nursing in the Donnelly Center and Clinical Simulation Laboratory, with internships and clinicals tied to Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids. The college also promotes workforce pathways such as MercyReady and UnityPoint Career Launch—confirm eligibility, commitments, and current terms with Mount Mercy and partner employers.
Overview & Why Students Choose Mount Mercy University
Mount Mercy University is a private Catholic university in Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city and a regional care hub in the I-380 corridor. Nursing sits in the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health—the university’s first named college—with integrated theory, clinical simulation (including telehealth scenarios), and community-based experiences that Mount Mercy describes as aligned to Mercy heritage and the Sisters of Mercy mission.
Undergraduate pathways include a competitive pre-licensure BSN (Mount Mercy states about 93 seats accepted annually) and an RN-BSN for licensed nurses. Graduate students can pursue an online MSN with three emphases or a DNP that includes an FNP-DNP track for nurses who are not yet certified as nurse practitioners, plus post-master’s DNP options—see the DNP and catalog for details.
According to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals RN Program Data 2025 (first-time NCLEX-RN candidates prepared in Iowa programs; columns 2021–2025 from NCSBN Program Summary), Mount Mercy University (Baccalaureate Programs row) had a 95.83% first-time pass rate in the 2025 column (72 candidates). Prior columns show 98.48% (2024, 66), 95.16% (2023, 62), 91.14% (2022, 79), and 94.52% (2021, 73). Confirm the latest annual file on the Iowa DIAL nursing program statistics page and with Mount Mercy.
Reasons students choose Mount Mercy University
Transparent NCLEX data
Iowa publishes Mount Mercy’s Baccalaureate Programs row in the statewide RN data file—pair those figures with Mount Mercy’s own marketing and outcomes pages.
Simulation & immersion
Mount Mercy emphasizes the Clinical Simulation Laboratory, telehealth simulation, and a senior clinical immersion course (NU 465) with preceptor-based practice.
CCNE-accredited ladder
The College of Nursing & Health states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs and Iowa Board of Nursing approval; the DNP also carries a published CCNE effective date through June 30, 2035 on university compliance materials.
Cedar Rapids clinical access
Published examples include Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Hospital—major employers for rotations and internships.
Graduate flexibility
The MSN is offered online in 5-week blocks; full-time students may finish in about 16 months, per Mount Mercy’s MSN page.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects Mount Mercy’s College of Nursing & Health, BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP pages. Programs are grouped as pre-licensure, post-licensure undergraduate, and graduate / doctoral.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Traditional pre-licensure BSN with a curriculum framed around the “hero’s journey” theme, Clinical Simulation Laboratory work, and progression into clinical nursing courses after prerequisites. Catalog prerequisites include a 75-hour CNA course before NU 224. Leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility when all requirements are met.
Post-licensure (undergraduate)
RN-BSN (BSN completion)
For licensed RNs; Mount Mercy offers online (on-demand) and on-campus formats with 9 start dates per year and 5- and 10-week blocks. Per policy stated on the RN-BSN page, international students cannot be admitted to the fully online RN-BSN—confirm current rules with Mount Mercy.
Graduate & doctoral
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Online MSN with emphasis in Health Advocacy, Nurse Administration, or Nurse Education; one course at a time; full-time completion in about 16 months per program messaging.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Mount Mercy’s DNP includes FNP-DNP (for nurses not yet certified as NPs) and DNP Advanced Practice tracks for existing NPs, with a clinical practice project and coursework listed in the catalog (for example NU 700–NU 807 series for the FNP-DNP track). On-campus meeting cadence is described on the DNP page (e.g., one class at a time in 5- and 10-week blocks).
Mount Mercy also lists non-nursing health bachelor’s majors (for example Health Care Administration, Public Health) under the nursing college—this guide focuses on nursing credentials only. Always verify the current academic catalog and program handbooks.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Iowa’s Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIAL) publishes annual RN Program Data tables built from the NCSBN Program Summary, Licensure Examination Reports. The table below quotes Mount Mercy University’s row under Baccalaureate Programs in RN Program Data 2025 (columns labeled 2021–2025).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 — BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (Mount Mercy) | 95.83% (72 first-time candidates), per Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 |
| 2024 | 98.48% (66 candidates) |
| 2023 | 95.16% (62 candidates) |
| 2022 | 91.14% (79 candidates) |
| 2021 | 94.52% (73 candidates) |
| Source | Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025 (PDF); overview page: Nursing program statistics. Confirm current cohorts with Iowa DIAL and Mount Mercy. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort; year-to-year movement is normal as class sizes and testing conditions vary. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Iowa Board of Nursing / DIAL publications and Mount Mercy.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Mount Mercy enrolls international students in many programs, but its RN-BSN page states that international students cannot be admitted to the fully online RN-BSN under current federal policy. All nursing applicants must satisfy clinical clearance, immunizations, background checks, and other program requirements. Use the checklist below as a starting point only—this is not immigration or licensure advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum TOEFL/IELTS or other scores with Mount Mercy admissions and the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow Mount Mercy’s international admissions steps for prerequisite coursework and any required evaluations.
- Iowa Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility—including internationally educated nurses—review Iowa Board requirements and documentation.
- Visa & modality: If you need a fully online program, confirm whether your visa status allows enrollment; Mount Mercy explicitly restricts international enrollment in the online RN-BSN.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Mount Mercy’s admissions office, the nursing college, and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Mount Mercy admits students to the university and then uses BSN Early Admission or BSN Standard Admission tracks for the pre-licensure major. The BSN page states about 93 students are accepted into the nursing program annually—confirm current capacity with admissions. Early Admission asks for a March 1 application and, for freshmen, roughly high school GPA 3.5, ACT 25 or SAT 1200 (see the live BSN page). Prerequisite nursing courses include sciences and general education; the catalog requires a 75-hour CNA course before NU 224.
Application timeline
| Program | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (pre-licensure) | BSN program | Choose Early Admission (deadline March 1 for the Wufoo application linked on Mount Mercy’s BSN page) or Standard Admission; maintain prerequisites for progression. |
| RN-BSN | RN-BSN | Requires active RN license; applications year-round per RN-BSN page; international students cannot enroll in the fully online modality per Mount Mercy’s posted policy. |
| MSN / DNP | MSN · DNP | Contact ekoehn@mtmercy.edu (MSN/DNP coordinator listed on Mount Mercy’s contact page) for graduate nursing questions. |
| General undergraduate admission | Apply | General line (319) 363-8213; admissions email admission@mtmercy.edu. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Early Admission GPA / tests (BSN) | Mount Mercy lists about 3.5 high school GPA, ACT 25 or SAT 1200 for Early Admission—confirm current thresholds. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed in the BSN marketing and catalog excerpts summarized for this guide—confirm with the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health. |
| Clinical prerequisites | Catalog course NU 224 requires a 75-hour CNA course, among other prerequisites—see the nursing major catalog. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Mount Mercy is a private university; its Tuition & Fees page lists full-time undergraduate tuition as a single academic-year figure (not separate Iowa resident vs. non-resident bands in the table reviewed). Part-time, online, and graduate students use per-semester-hour rows. Housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses are additional—Mount Mercy publishes sample cost of attendance bundles on the same page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (full-time, academic year, on-campus table) | $43,442 for 2026–2027, plus SGA Student Fee $200, Technology Fee $500, Wellness Fee $300 (fees per Tuition & Fees page) |
| Online undergraduate (per semester hour) | $634 for 2026–2027 (used for online RN-BSN and other online undergraduate programs per table) |
| Part-time undergraduate (per semester hour) | $1,314 for 2026–2027 |
| MSN (per semester hour) | $804 for 2026–2027 |
| DNP (per semester hour) | $1,035 for 2026–2027 |
| Average net tuition (marketing disclosure) | Mount Mercy’s page cites an average net tuition after aid of about $14,771 for 2026–2027—individual aid varies; use Mount Mercy’s net-price tools for your situation. |
| Source | Mount Mercy — Tuition & Fees. Confirm current amounts with Student Accounts. |
Review Mount Mercy’s Financial Aid and Scholarships pages and submit the FAFSA; ask the financial aid office how MMU Plus (undergraduate progression into graduate coursework) could affect billing if you are BSN-to-MSN bound.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics change by cohort. The table below focuses on NCLEX-RN using Iowa DIAL RN Program Data. Separately, Mount Mercy’s BSN marketing has displayed a 96% employment figure described as surveyed alumni within nine months of graduation—treat that as a school-reported survey snapshot, confirm methodology and response rate with Mount Mercy, and avoid treating it as a guarantee.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (first-time, baccalaureate row) | 95.83% in the 2025 column of Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 (72 first-time candidates). See NCLEX section for the full five-year row. |
| Employment (school-reported, BSN marketing) | Mount Mercy has marketed roughly 96% employment for surveyed alumni within nine months—confirm cohort year and survey methodology with Mount Mercy. |
| Source | Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025; Mount Mercy — BSN. Confirm current data with Iowa DIAL and Mount Mercy. |
Is Mount Mercy University the Right Fit for You?
Mount Mercy fits students who want a private, Mercy-tradition campus in eastern Iowa with a long-running BSN, strong regional hospital ties, and flexible online MSN options. Use the checklist below to weigh trade-offs.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a traditional BSN with structured simulation and immersion experiences in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor.
- Are licensed RNs seeking a completion BSN with multiple start dates or an MSN with leadership, education, or advocacy emphases.
- Value a Catholic university mission and alumni networks tied to Mercy and UnityPoint systems.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest public community-college tuition for pre-licensure nursing—compare with Iowa community colleges if cost is the primary driver.
- Are international students who must complete a fully online RN-BSN in the U.S.—Mount Mercy states that pathway is not available to international students.
- Expect automatic progression without meeting Early Admission or prerequisite standards—Mount Mercy describes nursing admission as competitive.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Cedar Rapids is the urban core of Linn County and anchors the I-380 corridor between Iowa City and Waterloo. Mount Mercy’s nursing materials highlight internships and clinicals with Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Hospital, plus community clinics and home health—giving students exposure to tertiary care, community health, and rural outreach across eastern Iowa.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center | Major Cedar Rapids hospital referenced on Mount Mercy’s nursing pages for internship and clinical learning. |
| UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s Hospital | Regional UnityPoint flagship in Cedar Rapids—broad service lines for student rotations. |
| University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City) | Academic medical center within ~30 miles—common destination for alumni per Mount Mercy’s program marketing. |
| Regional demand | Eastern Iowa communities continue to recruit RNs and advanced practice nurses—confirm employer needs with Iowa Workforce Development and local hospital recruiters. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Mount Mercy nursing students use the Donnelly Center and Clinical Simulation Laboratory, with telehealth and high-fidelity scenarios described on university pages. Student life includes nursing student organizations (for example Sigma Kappa Xi chapter references on the College of Nursing & Health page) and access to Cedar Rapids cultural events, restaurants, and outdoor recreation along the Cedar River. Confirm active clubs and service opportunities with the department.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Address
- 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, US
- Telephone
- Main (319) 363-8213; admissions (319) 368-6460
- MSN / DNP email
- ekoehn@mtmercy.edu (graduate coordinator listed on Mount Mercy contact page)
- Website
- Mount Mercy University — College of Nursing & Health
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the BSN page for Early vs. Standard admission and compare prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Plan a 75-hour CNA course if you have not completed one—required before NU 224 per the catalog.
- Download Iowa’s latest RN Program Data PDF to track Mount Mercy’s baccalaureate first-time pass rates over time.
- Review 2026–27 tuition and fees, then use Mount Mercy’s net-price tools for your aid scenario.
- If you are DNP- or MSN-bound, email ekoehn@mtmercy.edu (MSN/DNP coordinator) with questions about transcripts and practicum expectations.
- Submit the FAFSA and explore Mount Mercy scholarships and employer discounts (for example corporate partnership programs).
- If you are an international applicant, confirm modality rules for RN-BSN and on-campus BSN clinical requirements before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Mercy University a good school for nursing?
Mount Mercy’s College of Nursing & Health states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs and Iowa Board of Nursing approval. Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 lists Mount Mercy’s Baccalaureate first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 95.83% in the 2025 column (72 candidates). Confirm accreditation and outcomes with Mount Mercy, CCNE, and Iowa DIAL.
What nursing programs does Mount Mercy University offer?
Mount Mercy lists a pre-licensure BSN, RN-BSN, MSN with Health Advocacy, Nurse Administration, or Nurse Education emphases, and a DNP with FNP-DNP and post-master’s tracks. Mount Mercy does not list an ADN on the pages summarized here—verify the catalog if you are comparing community-college pathways.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Mount Mercy University baccalaureate graduates?
Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 shows 95.83% first-time pass in the 2025 column (72 candidates), with additional years in the NCLEX table on this page. Confirm the newest PDF on the Iowa DIAL nursing program statistics page.
What are Mount Mercy’s BSN Early Admission requirements?
Mount Mercy’s public BSN page lists Early Admission criteria such as roughly 3.5 high school GPA, ACT 25 or SAT 1200, and a March 1 early application deadline—confirm current criteria before applying.
What tuition does Mount Mercy publish for 2026–27?
The Tuition & Fees page lists full-time undergraduate tuition at $43,442 for 2026–2027, MSN at $804 per semester hour, and DNP at $1,035 per semester hour, plus listed fees. Online undergraduate courses are $634 per semester hour in 2026–2027.
Does Mount Mercy require the TEAS for nursing?
The BSN and admission materials summarized for this guide do not list TEAS or HESI. Confirm whether your entry path requires a standardized test.
Where do Mount Mercy nursing students complete clinicals?
Mount Mercy highlights Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, with additional community experiences—confirm the current site list with the program office.
Can international students take Mount Mercy’s online RN-BSN?
Mount Mercy’s RN-BSN page states international students cannot be admitted to the fully online program under current federal policy. Verify with admissions and the nursing college.
What employment outcome does Mount Mercy advertise for BSN alumni?
Mount Mercy has displayed a 96% figure described as employment of surveyed alumni within nine months—confirm survey year and methodology with Mount Mercy before relying on the number.
References
- Mount Mercy University — College of Nursing & Healthmtmercy.edu/nursing
- Mount Mercy University — BSN (pre-licensure)mtmercy.edu/academics/programs/nursing
- Mount Mercy University — Tuition & Feesmtmercy.edu/tuition-aid/tuition-fees.php
- Iowa DIAL — Nursing Program Statisticsdial.iowa.gov nursing program statistics
- Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025 (PDF)RN Program Data 2025
- Iowa Board of Nursingnursing.iowa.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
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 BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP program listings with Mount Mercy’s official nursing pages, 2026–27 tuition tables, and first-time NCLEX-RN figures from Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025.
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 the institution and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy