ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
ICU Registered Nurse jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, with consistent openings concentrated in hospital systems, academic medical centers, and regional trauma facilities serving communities from Des Moines and Iowa City to Cedar Rapids. Major employers with a lasting presence in the state include UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and MercyOne, all of which maintain active ICU hiring pipelines. The most sought-after specialties are cardiovascular ICU, neuro ICU, and medical-surgical critical care nursing. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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White Glove Placement is seeking an experienced Travel Registered Nurse (RN) for an exciting ICU travel nursing assignment in Des Moines, IA. This travel RN opportunity offers competitive weekly compensation, dedicated recruiter support and the chance to gain valuable experience at a leading healthcare facility.
Travel RN Assignment Details:
- Profession: Registered Nurse (RN)
- Specialty: ICU
- Location: Des Moines, IA, 50314
- Shift: 3x12 Nights
- Assignment Length: 26 weeks
- Estimated Start Date: 09/06/2026
- Employment Type: Travel Nursing Contract
- Estimated Gross Weekly Wage: $1999 to $2333 *
Travel RN Requirements:
- A valid RN license in the state of practice
- Minimum of 2 years recent RN experience
- BCLS, ACLS, NRP, & PALS according to the specialty assigned
Why Travel With White Glove Placement?
- Competitive travel nursing compensation
- Weekly pay
- Health benefits for eligible employees
- Dedicated recruiter and assignment support
- Nationwide travel nursing opportunities
- Referral bonus opportunities
- Support from a Joint Commission-certified healthcare staffing company established in 1998
Take the next step in your nursing career with White Glove Placement!! Apply today for this Travel Registered Nurse (RN) job in Des Moines, IA, and a recruiter will contact you to discuss the assignment.
- Estimated Gross Weekly Wage is approximate and may vary for local and travel assignments.
ID: THS-2182704
See All 41 ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa
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Find ICU Registered Nurse JobsICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MercyOne12

- Voyage Health7V
- American Traveler6

- FirstChoice3

- White Glove Placement3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in ICU registered nurse jobs across Iowa.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Current ACLS and BLS certifications required for ICU patient care settings
- Minimum one to two years of acute care or critical care nursing experience preferred
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree preferred or required by many Iowa health systems
- CCRN certification or active pursuit of certification valued by Iowa ICU employers
- Demonstrated ability to manage ventilated patients and hemodynamic monitoring equipment
ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a icu registered nurse in Iowa?
To become an icu registered nurse in Iowa, you must first earn a nursing degree, either an ADN or BSN, from an accredited program and pass the NCLEX-RN examination. You then apply for licensure through the Iowa Board of Nursing, which administers RN licensure for the state. Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in other compact states may practice without a separate Iowa license. Most ICU positions require additional critical care experience or completion of a hospital-based critical care orientation program before independent practice.
How much do ICU registered nurses make in Iowa?
ICU 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 icu registered nurses in Iowa?
Employers hiring icu registered nurses in Iowa right now include MercyOne, Voyage Health, and American Traveler, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest health systems, including academic medical centers and regional hospital networks, maintain the most consistent ICU hiring volumes across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most icu registered nurse jobs?
The cities with the most icu registered nurse openings in Iowa are Des Moines, Mason City, and Ottumwa. Des Moines anchors the largest share of listings given its concentration of major health system headquarters and Level I trauma centers, while Iowa City draws heavily from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Cedar Rapids is supported by the regional campuses of UnityPoint Health and MercyOne.
Are there remote icu registered nurse jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Bedside critical care nursing is inherently hands-on, so most icu registered nurse roles require in-person presence in a hospital or clinical setting. About 0% of icu registered nurse openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in tele-ICU monitoring, care coordination, or clinical education rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a icu registered nurse in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a nurse residency or new graduate program at one of Iowa's major health systems. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics both run structured new-graduate nurse residency programs that include critical care tracks for RNs without prior ICU experience. Starting in a progressive care unit, medical-surgical floor, or step-down unit at an Iowa hospital is a common bridge, as employers regularly promote internally into ICU roles. Earning your BLS and ACLS certifications before applying and expressing a clear interest in critical care during interviews strengthens candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, credentials, and preferred location within the state, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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