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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Showing 5 of 50+ Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs
Full time
Shift:
12 Hour Evening Shift
Description:
Mid shift 1030-2300
** New Standardized RN Rate **
Employment Type:
- Full Time - 36 hours per week
- Mid Shift (11 AM - 11 PM)
Provides professional emergency nursing care for acutely ill and injured patients incorporating the nursing process of all age groups including neonates, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. Provides patient and family education. Serves as a patient advocate and liaison with other health care providers. Serves as a preceptor for new employees and students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Applies professional emergency nursing skills in the care and treatment of acutely ill and injured patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Promotes patient-centered care through:
- Respect of the patient’s values, preferences, and expressed needs
- Coordination and integration of care
- Information, communication, and education
- Physical comfort
- Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety
- Involvement of family and friends
- Transition and continuity
- Collaborates with the patient, significant others, and ancillary departments to create a multidisciplinary healthcare team whose goal is to provide care that is continuous and well-coordinated.
- Provides for actual and anticipated education needs and includes education to meet these needs in the plan of care.
- Communicates proactively to the healthcare team the plan of care, changes in the patient’s condition, the patient’s progress, the discharge plan, and other relevant information.
- Must quickly, efficiently, and calmly respond to emergent and critical situations.
- Manages the complex care of critically ill and injured patients.
- Triages patients quickly and efficiently per the Emergency Department’s policies specific to Triage.
- Documents a comprehensive patient record that is organized and complete, reflecting all aspects of nursing care provided.
- Anticipates patient’s needs and assists the provider during the examination and procedures.
- Provides psychological support based on assessed need.
- Utilizes multiple teaching methods. Discharge instructions are reviewed and understanding acknowledged by the patient/family.
- Assess community resources as indicated.
- Supervises Emergency Department Technicians.
- Serves as a preceptor for students and employees (i.e. EMS, nursing, new employees).
- Works independently using the Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies, and professional judgment. Makes recommendations to improve the Emergency Department’s Standards of Care.
- Possession of a current or compact state license as a registered nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.
- One year of RN experience preferred OR new graduate if the candidate has completed senior nursing preceptorship at Mercy Emergency or previous experience as an emergency department technician or experience in a pre-hospital environment.
- Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within 3 months of hire.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within six (6) weeks of hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
- Completion of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire.
- Completion of TNCC within 1 year of hire
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.
Full time
Shift:
12 Hour Evening Shift
Description:
Mid shift 1030-2300
** New Standardized RN Rate **
Employment Type:
- Full Time - 36 hours per week
- Mid Shift (11 AM - 11 PM)
Provides professional emergency nursing care for acutely ill and injured patients incorporating the nursing process of all age groups including neonates, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. Provides patient and family education. Serves as a patient advocate and liaison with other health care providers. Serves as a preceptor for new employees and students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Applies professional emergency nursing skills in the care and treatment of acutely ill and injured patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Promotes patient-centered care through:
- Respect of the patient’s values, preferences, and expressed needs
- Coordination and integration of care
- Information, communication, and education
- Physical comfort
- Emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety
- Involvement of family and friends
- Transition and continuity
- Collaborates with the patient, significant others, and ancillary departments to create a multidisciplinary healthcare team whose goal is to provide care that is continuous and well-coordinated.
- Provides for actual and anticipated education needs and includes education to meet these needs in the plan of care.
- Communicates proactively to the healthcare team the plan of care, changes in the patient’s condition, the patient’s progress, the discharge plan, and other relevant information.
- Must quickly, efficiently, and calmly respond to emergent and critical situations.
- Manages the complex care of critically ill and injured patients.
- Triages patients quickly and efficiently per the Emergency Department’s policies specific to Triage.
- Documents a comprehensive patient record that is organized and complete, reflecting all aspects of nursing care provided.
- Anticipates patient’s needs and assists the provider during the examination and procedures.
- Provides psychological support based on assessed need.
- Utilizes multiple teaching methods. Discharge instructions are reviewed and understanding acknowledged by the patient/family.
- Assess community resources as indicated.
- Supervises Emergency Department Technicians.
- Serves as a preceptor for students and employees (i.e. EMS, nursing, new employees).
- Works independently using the Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies, and professional judgment. Makes recommendations to improve the Emergency Department’s Standards of Care.
- Possession of a current or compact state license as a registered nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.
- One year of RN experience preferred OR new graduate if the candidate has completed senior nursing preceptorship at Mercy Emergency or previous experience as an emergency department technician or experience in a pre-hospital environment.
- Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within 3 months of hire.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within six (6) weeks of hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
- Completion of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire.
- Completion of TNCC within 1 year of hire
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 50 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
- MercyOne17
- FirstChoice10
- UnityPoint Health9
- Great River Health3
- Waverly Health Center2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
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, FirstChoice, and UnityPoint Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 Mason 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 August 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 50 Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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