Charge Nurse Jobs in Iowa
Charge nurse jobs in Iowa are concentrated in hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and community health settings, with consistent demand at both staff-to-charge transitions and experienced clinical leadership levels. Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers such as UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and Mercy Medical Center. Critical care, medical-surgical, and emergency department units generate the most active postings across the state. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Registered Nurse (RN)
Shifts Available: Full-Time 10AM-6PM
Competitive Wage + Shift Differentials
Make a Difference Every Day – Join Care Initiatives as a Registered Nurse!
Join our compassionate care team across more than 40 skilled nursing communities throughout Iowa. If you're a dedicated and empathetic caregiver looking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others during their healthcare journey, this is your opportunity to shine.
What You’ll Do & Key Responsibilities:
- Provide direct, compassionate nursing care to residents in a skilled nursing environment.
- Support daily clinical operations on the unit, ensuring quality care and resident safety.
- Administer medications and treatments accurately and on time.
- Monitor resident conditions and respond promptly to changes in status.
- Collaborate with CNA, LPN, provider, and other interdisciplinary team members to promote teamwork and high-quality care.
- Communicate effectively with residents and families regarding care needs.
- Document care accurately to meet clinical, regulatory, and facility standards.
- Follow infection control, safety, and compliance protocols at all times.
- Valid RN license in good standing. License must be valid within the state of Iowa, or ability to activate.
- Current, valid CPR Certification.
- Knowledge of federal and state long-term care regulations and laws.
- A strong commitment to helping others and consistently treating them with empathy, respect, patience, and discretion.
- Competitive Compensation: Earn a highly competitive wage + shift differentials.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Eligible employees enjoy robust benefit options including medical, dental, vision, 403(b) retirement savings plan, PTO, and more.
- Referral Bonus Program: Earn cash rewards for referring your friends.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Develop your skills with company paid training and education to take your career to the next level.
- Digital Wallet Access: Get paid as you earn—no more waiting for payday!
Apply today and become part of a team where your compassion, dedication, and care truly matter. At Care Initiatives, we’re committed to helping you grow your career while improving the lives of those we serve.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Care Initiatives will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
Care Initiatives is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Care Initiatives complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 30 Charge Nurse Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Charge Nurse JobsCharge Nurse Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Charge Nurse Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in charge nurse jobs across Iowa.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Associate or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum two years of clinical bedside experience in an acute care setting
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification required for most hospital units
- Demonstrated ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate care for a nursing team
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems used in Iowa facilities
Charge Nurse Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a charge nurse in Iowa?
Charge nurses in Iowa must first hold an active registered nurse license issued by the Iowa Board of Nursing, obtained by passing the NCLEX-RN exam after completing an accredited associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. From there, most Iowa employers require several years of direct clinical experience before moving into a charge role. Completing a unit-based leadership or preceptor program, often offered internally at larger Iowa health systems, strengthens a candidate's path to the position.
Which companies hire charge nurses in Iowa?
Iowa charge nurse roles are posted by Stonehill Communities, MercyOne, and Accura HealthCare and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's large regional health systems and academic medical centers tend to post the most consistent volume of charge nurse openings across specialties.
Which Iowa cities have the most charge nurse jobs?
Dubuque, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids have the most charge nurse openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share as the state's most populous metro and home to major health systems, while Iowa City's openings are anchored by the University of Iowa Health Care academic medical center, and Cedar Rapids draws demand from regional hospital campuses serving eastern Iowa.
Are there remote charge nurse jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Charge nursing is inherently an on-unit leadership role requiring physical presence to supervise staff, manage patient flow, and respond to clinical situations in real time. About 0% of charge nurse openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions are most often in utilization review, case management, or telephonic triage rather than traditional floor-based charge roles.
How can I get hired as a charge nurse in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is landing a staff RN position first, then building toward a charge role from within. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care both run new graduate nurse residency programs that provide structured clinical mentorship across specialties. Starting in a medical-surgical or step-down unit, completing preceptor training, and earning an ACLS certification positions a nurse for internal charge opportunities, which Iowa employers commonly promote from their own floors rather than hiring externally.
Where can I find and apply to charge nurse jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to charge nurse jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across health systems, hospitals, and care facilities throughout the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 30 Charge Nurse Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Charge Nurse Jobs