Associate of Science in Nursing — Iowa and Maine
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Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Overview
Registered nurse is now the #5 job in the U.S. for the greatest expected growth from 2022 to 2032. Come back stronger, ready to meet the fast-growing demand and make a difference helping patients and communities.
- Take courses online and complete lab and simulation experiences in the Cedar Rapids area, Council Bluffs, or Des Moines, IA, or Bangor, ME.
- Complete your clinicals at a local health care facility equipped with the medical tools used in the field plus simulators for clinical scenarios.
- Prepare for the NCLEX-RN® exam.
- Earn bachelor's-level credits as part of the program to fast-track your BSN.
- Learn from faculty who are experienced professionals bringing you their nursing expertise from around the U.S.
- Develop the knowledge and clinical skills to direct and manage patient care, communicate with patients and caregivers, and work as a member of a health care team.
Fast-Track Your Career With Our Two-Step BSN Pathway
Move seamlessly from your associate’s degree in nursing to your bachelor’s degree with the ASN-to-BSN pathway in two steps:
- Step 1: Earn your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree in under 2 years. You’ll complete three required BSN courses as part of your ASN to save time and money.
- Step 2: Begin online courses in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program while you prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam and start your RN career.
20% BSN Tuition Reduction
Our ASN graduates are eligible for 20% tuition savings on our online RN-to-BSN.
Get the Credit You Deserve With ASN Specialized Pathways
If you have an active, unencumbered EMT, paramedic, or LVN/LPN license, you may receive course waivers or transfer credit for your experience, enabling you to finish faster, for less. The LVN/LPN-to-ASN pathway is available exclusively to students at our Iowa locations. Connect with an Advisor to learn more.
Purdue Global School of Nursing proudly partners with The DAISY Foundation™ to recognize and celebrate extraordinary nursing students.
Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information about the number of hours needed to complete the clinical requirement.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Respected Accreditations
The online Associate of Science in Nursing program at Purdue Global holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) and is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Maine State Board of Nursing.
Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Virtual Reality Learning
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program uses VR technology to provide students with an immersive learning experience to practice clinical procedures in a virtual setting. Highly visual 3D simulations replicate real-life scenarios and health care procedures to provide nursing students opportunities to practice skills learned in courses.
Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement
Purdue Global School of Nursing's immersive VR learning program achieved the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement, signifying a commitment that every simulation activity is thoughtfully designed to meet educational goals while adhering to best practices that promote safety, reliability, and measurable outcomes.
Purdue Global First-Time NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2024
In 2024, Purdue Global School of Nursing’s 85 NCLEX-RN exam takers achieved a 97.65% pass rate, 6.49% higher than the national pass rate of 91.16%.
Purdue Global pass rates by state:
Iowa 98.46% (compared to Iowa average of 92.83%)
Maine 95.0% (compared to Maine average of 91.98%)
Source: Purdue Global School of Nursing, May 2025. See Notes and Conditions for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
This prelicensure nursing education program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures, increase your knowledge and competence, and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice. You'll complete one bachelor’s-level leadership and management course and two BSN required core courses to give you a head start on your bachelor’s degree.
Sample Courses
- Pharmacology for Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal Infant Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Lab and Simulation Experiences
Your clinical must be completed in one of the following locations:
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military graduate was awarded 62% of the credits needed for an associate and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Career Opportunities
An aging population combined with an increased emphasis on preventive care is expected to create demand for skilled nurses. In fact, over 166,000 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average from 2024 to 2034.
To become an RN, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®) after you graduate. Then you’ll have the both the skills and credentials to pursue opportunities in a variety of roles, settings, and specialties such as geriatric, maternal-infant, pediatric, mental health, and medical surgical nursing.
Average Salary
Range
Job Growth
In Your State
General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. The skills and employers mentioned are a representation of the hiring needs within the labor market generated by Lightcast and may change over time. There can be no guarantee that any listed employer is or will be hiring in the future or will hire a Purdue Global graduate. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control. The default state is Indiana for those outside of the U.S.
Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Tell me about a time during clinicals or a previous position when you cared for a patient who was uncooperative, angry, or difficult to communicate with. How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?
- Describe a situation in clinicals where you had to explain a medical concept or procedure to a patient in simple terms. How did you ensure they understood?
- Tell me about a time during your clinical rotation when you had to manage multiple tasks or patients at once. How did you prioritize your responsibilities?
- In health care, processes are consistently undergoing change. Describe a time when your past or current position was undergoing change. How did that impact you, and how did you adapt?
- Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a patient.
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Nursing Care
- Communication
- Nursing Process
- Planning
- Compassion
- Coordinating
- Critical Thinking
- Home Health Care
- Accountability
- Nursing Practices
- Medical Records Entry
- Care Coordination
- Discharge Planning
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Digital Literacy
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Associate of Science in Nursing and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
View the Handbook
Choosing a Nursing Degree
Deliver exceptional patient care for all. Discover tools and additional resources on the value of pursuing a degree in nursing.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.