Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where major systems like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and University of Iowa Health Care operate large, busy emergency departments staffing nurses at every level from new graduate to seasoned charge nurse. Triage, trauma care, and pediatric emergency are consistently among the most active specialties in Iowa listings. Demand holds steady statewide, with rural critical access hospitals adding to the volume beyond the major metros. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Full time
Shift:
12 Hour Day Shift
Description:
Full-Time | Day Shift (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM) | 36 Hours/Week
Make an Impact When It Matters Most
We're looking for a compassionate and skilled Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Emergency Department team. In this role, you'll provide high-quality care to patients of all ages in a fast-paced environment while collaborating with physicians, EMS, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Whether you're an experienced ER nurse or a qualified new graduate with emergency care experience, you'll find opportunities to grow, develop your skills, and make a meaningful difference every day.
Why Join Us?
- New increased RN pay rate
- Three 12-hour shifts per week
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Professional development and certification opportunities
- Rewarding work serving patients and families during critical moments
- Provide emergency nursing care for acutely ill and injured patients
- Assess, triage, monitor, and evaluate patient care needs
- Respond effectively to critical and emergent situations
- Collaborate with providers and healthcare teams to coordinate care
- Educate and support patients and families
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
- Serve as a patient advocate and mentor for students and new team members
Required
- Current Iowa RN License or Compact RN License
- BLS certification within 6 weeks of hire
- PALS certification within 3 months of hire
- ACLS certification within 6 months of hire
- TNCC certification within 1 year of hire
- Mandatory Reporter Training within 3 months of hire
- One year of RN experience
- Emergency Department experience
- New graduates with ED preceptorship, ED Technician experience, or EMS/pre-hospital experience are encouraged to apply
Join a team dedicated to providing exceptional emergency care and making a difference in the lives of our patients and community every day.
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 43 Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsEmergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MercyOne13

- UnityPoint Health10

- Great River Health4

- The University of Iowa3

- Regional Medical Center2

What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in emergency department registered nurse jobs across Iowa.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Current BLS certification required with ACLS often preferred or required
- Associate or bachelor of science in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum one to two years of acute care or emergency department clinical experience
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems used in Iowa hospital environments
- Strong triage assessment skills and ability to manage high-acuity patient volumes
Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a emergency department registered nurse in Iowa?
You become an emergency department registered nurse in Iowa by completing an accredited nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining an active RN license through the Iowa Board of Nursing, which also participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact allowing multistate practice. Most Iowa emergency departments expect candidates to hold current BLS and ACLS certifications. A bachelor of science in nursing strengthens your application at larger Iowa hospital systems, though associate-prepared nurses are regularly hired into ED roles.
How much do emergency department registered nurses make in Iowa?
Emergency department registered nurses in Iowa earn a median of about $78,630 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,840 for the lowest 10% to over $100,500 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire emergency department registered nurses in Iowa?
Iowa emergency department registered nurse roles are posted by MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, and Great River Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's hiring is anchored by large integrated health systems operating emergency departments across urban and rural communities statewide.
Which Iowa cities have the most emergency department registered nurse jobs?
Des Moines, Waterloo, and Iowa City have the most emergency department registered nurse openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates as the state's largest metro and home to major system headquarters, while Iowa City's volume is driven by University of Iowa Health Care, a Level 1 trauma center, and Cedar Rapids benefits from MercyOne and UnityPoint facilities serving a substantial regional patient population.
Are there remote emergency department registered nurse jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Emergency department nursing is an inherently hands-on, bedside role requiring direct patient assessment and intervention, so the vast majority of positions are fully on-site. About 0% of emergency department registered nurse openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those postings typically involve triage advice nursing, care management, or utilization review functions rather than traditional emergency department floor work.
How can I get hired as a emergency department registered nurse in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a nurse residency or new-graduate transition program, which UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care both run for newly licensed RNs. These structured programs place candidates into emergency or acute care settings with supervised clinical rotations. Candidates without ED experience often move laterally from medical-surgical or ICU roles at Iowa hospitals, where acute care exposure is recognized. Holding ACLS certification and completing an Iowa Board of Nursing-recognized RN license before applying significantly strengthens a new-graduate application.
Where can I find and apply to emergency department registered nurse jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to emergency department registered nurse jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 43 Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
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