Standards in Action
Iowa nursing is evolving, and so are the policies that shape how we learn, teach, practice, and lead. This hub brings together ILNE’s positions on the changes impacting nurses, nursing students, educators, and clinical partners across the state. From academic standards to clinical practice expectations, from regulatory updates to workforce innovations, these policy perspectives help Iowa’s nursing community stay aligned, informed, and ready for what’s next.
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Grounded in collaboration and guided by evidence, ILNE’s policy position highlights where change is happening, why it matters, and how it affects nursing across settings: classrooms, labs, simulation centers, clinics, long‑term care, and acute care. Whether you’re shaping curriculum, delivering bedside care, supporting students, or leading organizational change, this is your compass for understanding Iowa’s shifting nursing landscape.
Position: Public Policy
Marcy Johnson, ARNP, FNP-BC
Iowa Board of Nursing
Policy Updates
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The Iowa Board of Nursing has recently implemented several significant policy updates aimed at increasing professional flexibility, strengthening nursing education standards, and clarifying scope of practice requirements. Key updates include the following:
Continuing Education (CE) Deregulation
Effective June 4, 2025, the Iowa Board of Nursing no longer pre-approves continuing education providers or course content. Instead, licensed nurses are responsible for selecting continuing education activities that are relevant to their individual practice and support the delivery of safe, evidence-based care. Nurses are still required to complete 36 contact hours of continuing education during each license renewal period and maintain documentation of completed coursework for four years in the event of an audit.
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Nursing Education Programs
The Board has adopted updated administrative rules that establish the requirements and approval process for nursing education programs in Iowa. These regulations provide consistent standards for program approval and oversight, ensuring that nursing programs deliver the education and clinical training necessary to prepare graduates for safe, competent nursing practice while protecting the public from fraudulent or substandard educational programs.
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Scope of Practice
Updated scope of practice regulations further define the legal responsibilities and professional boundaries of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The revised rules emphasize that nurses must practice within the limits of their education, experience, demonstrated competency, and applicable state law. These updates promote regulatory compliance, professional accountability, and the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.
