Charge RN Jobs in Iowa
Charge RN jobs in Iowa are concentrated in hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and regional medical centers, with steady demand for experienced floor leaders who can supervise clinical teams and manage unit operations. Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids generate the largest share of openings, anchored by employers such as UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Health Care. The most in-demand specialties are med-surg, emergency, and critical care, where charge RN turnover drives consistent hiring. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Full time
Shift:
12 Hour Night Shift
Description:
Posting
Apply today and ask about our Relocation and Sign On Bonus of up to $20,000!!!
- 0-1 years of experience: $10,000
- 1-3 years of experience: $15,000
- 3+ years of experience: $20,000
PostingPOSITION PURPOSE
The dedicated Charge Nurse is a registered nurse responsible for providing shift-to-shift leadership for the practice and delivery of safe, effective, efficient, ethical, and culturally competent care to the unit patient population. This pivotal role bridges direct patient care with administrative responsibilities, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through effective leadership, resource allocation, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The Charge Nurse ensures adherence to established policies, promotes a collaborative work environment, and supports staff development while maintaining patient safety and satisfaction.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Develops and maintains departmental daily staffing plan detailing appropriate employee classifications and qualifications consistent with the department's operational plan, projected volumes, patient/acuity and other relevant indicators. Assures compliance with staffing plan.
Oversees daily operations, staff management, and coordination of interdepartmental activities within the unit or department during the assigned shift.
Responsible for resolving clinical issues, and serving as a liaison between nurses, physicians, and administrative teams.
Provides orientation/education for staff and students to ensure assigned patients have a positive care experience.
Leads staff in the delivery of safe and effective patient care.
Delivers nursing care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in collaboration with the physician.
Provides input on staff interviewing and hiring decisions as delegated by the unit leader.
Maintains knowledge of documentation requirements needed for patient records.
Ensures compliance with all policies and procedures governing assigned services, including Joint Commission standards, safety protocols, and applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements.
Serves as a resource, mentor, and role model in delivering patient care using a team approach.
Facilitates communication between patient/family, physicians and other caregivers to achieve consensus for the plan of care. Consults with the Ethics Committee as appropriate.
Leads and promotes evidence-based practice and research among unit leaders and staff.
Leads quality improvement activities including performance improvement processes to facilitate clinical practice changes.
Conduct follow-up on incident reports as directed by the Unit leader and participate in ongoing audits of nursing-sensitive indicators to ensure regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, chart reviews, patient safety audits, shift-based crash cart checks, and other quality assurance activities as identified by the facility.
Functions independently with minimal supervision from Nursing Leadership, guided by the Nurse Practice Act, MercyOne Central IA Market and Trinity Health policies, established nursing standards, and sound professional judgment.
Plans unit and nursing resource utilization based on established admission, discharge and transfer criteria, initiating appropriate intervention and collaboration to optimize patient care and unit/department operations.
Serves as a group leader and fulfills an assistant supervisory or lead role, providing guidance and support to team members. Additionally, it contributes to Human Resources functions by offering input and recommendations on personnel matters.
Identifies and communicates staff needs to the unit leader.
Serves as a resource or “Super User” for documentation in the electronic medical record.
Leads or participates in interdisciplinary patient rounds and care conferences, management rounding to patients and staff, and Rounding to Influence (Safety First).
Reviews and codes as indicated for shift needs in timekeeping system.
Collaborate with Unit leader to balance schedule after closure of self-scheduling time-period and prior to completion of schedule.
Leads or delegates daily huddles and maintains huddle boards in collaboration and direction from Unit leader.
Assists nursing and interdisciplinary team in patient/family education and discharge planning.
Mission Statement: We, MercyOne Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.
Core Values:
- Reverence: We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person.
- Commitment to Those who are Poor: We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
- Safety: We embrace a culture that prevents harm and nurtures a healing, safe environment for all.
- Justice: We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth.
- Stewardship: We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial and natural resources entrusted to our care.
- Integrity: We are faithful to those we say we are.
Possession of a current or compact state license as a Registered Nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.
12 months of RN experience required. 24 months preferred.
Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter – Child and/or Dependent Adult Abuse training within three (3) months of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certified or obtained within three (3) months of hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
Unit specific credentialing and education active and in good standing.
Colleagues of MercyOne Health System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout the system!
VisitMercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available to you at MercyOne Health System circle of care.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 26 Charge RN Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Charge RN JobsCharge RN Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Charge RN Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MercyOne15

- Stonehill Communities4S
- CommonSpirit Health2

- Trinity Health1

- THOMAS REST HAVEN1T
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in charge RN jobs across Iowa.
- Active RN license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Minimum two years of bedside nursing experience in a relevant clinical setting
- Current BLS certification, with ACLS required for critical care and emergency units
- Demonstrated ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate care for a nursing unit
- Experience with electronic health records systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills for staff and patient interactions
Charge RN Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a charge rn in Iowa?
You become a charge rn in Iowa by first earning your RN license through the Iowa Board of Nursing, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so compact license holders from other states may work without applying for a separate Iowa license. From there, most Iowa employers promote charge rns from experienced staff nurses who demonstrate leadership ability on the unit.
Which companies hire charge rns in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring charge rns in Iowa include MercyOne, Stonehill Communities, and CommonSpirit Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest hospital systems and regional health networks account for the majority of charge rn openings across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most charge rn jobs?
Des Moines, Dubuque, and Council Bluffs have the most charge rn openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads because of its concentration of large health systems and the region's role as the state's primary referral center, while Iowa City's openings are driven largely by the University of Iowa Health Care academic medical center, and Cedar Rapids benefits from MercyOne and UnityPoint facilities serving the eastern Iowa corridor.
Are there remote charge rn jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Charge RN roles are inherently floor-based, requiring direct supervision of nursing staff and hands-on patient care coordination that cannot be done remotely. About 0% of charge rn openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve care coordination, utilization review, or triage functions rather than traditional unit charge responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a charge rn in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to secure a staff RN position at a large Iowa health system and build unit experience before moving into a charge role. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne both run new-graduate nurse residency programs at multiple Iowa facilities that provide the structured clinical development most charge rn candidates lack early on. Working as a staff RN in high-acuity settings such as med-surg or emergency, or completing a charge nurse preceptorship offered informally by many Iowa units, positions candidates for the step up without prior formal charge experience.
Where can I find and apply to charge rn jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to charge rn jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 26 Charge RN Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Charge RN Jobs