Registered Nurse Med Surg Jobs in Iowa
Registered Nurse Med Surg jobs in Iowa are consistently active, with strong demand across large acute care hospital systems, critical access hospitals serving rural communities, and regional medical centers throughout the state. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, where employers like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and MercyOne anchor the market at every level from new graduate to experienced charge nurse. The most in-demand specialties within med-surg include post-operative care, oncology step-down, and telemetry-monitored units. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The Broadlawns Medical Center campus includes an acute care hospital, primary and specialty care clinics, urgent care and emergency services, lab, radiology, dentistry, inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis team, and community-based behavioral support services. Broadlawns accepts all forms of insurance and its approach to healthcare and quality outcomes earned a Level 3 rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the highest achievable status for a medical delivery model.
We are a safety net hospital and our Patients are our North Star! With a dedicated staff of over 160 physicians and 1,600 employees, Broadlawns Medical Center ensures that our community has access to high quality healthcare that is coordinated, compassionate and cost-effective. We provide our employees a top-rated benefits package, supportive work culture, and more!
Staff Nurse - Med/Surg
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the general supervision of the department nurse leader, prescribes, provides, delegates, evaluates and coordinates comprehensive professional nursing care to a designated group of patients, and provides leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary and other health care team members in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting. Oversees non-professional nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the standards, policies, and procedures of the Medical Center, Nursing Services, and Chapter Six of the Code of Iowa.
Performs assessment/data collection in an ongoing and systematic manner, focusing on environmental, self-care, education and discharge planning factors.
Formulates an individualized, goal-directed and age-appropriate plan of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team which includes patient outcomes related to the patient’s identified mental, physical, psycho-social and cultural needs.
Implements care in a knowledgeable, skillful, consistent and continuous manner by utilization of pre-determined standards and evidenced-based practices that define the structure, process and desired patient outcomes.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the care given by the interdisciplinary care team.
Assigns nursing care team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the staff’s capabilities and qualifications. Identifies patient/significant other’s learning needs and implements appropriate measures. Administers medications and evaluates their effectiveness.
Performs efficiently in emergency situations following established protocols.
Participates in orientation of new personnel.
Participates in development and attainment of unit and Nursing Services goals.
Participates in development of generic and unit-specific standards.
Participates in development and implementation of performance improvement activities. Participates in unit meetings and conferences for the betterment of patient care.
Communicates effectively, practices effective problem identification and resolution skills and uses lines of authority appropriately.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Promotes nursing practices and patient care that is effective in terms of quality and cost, and results in patient and family satisfaction.
Supports the values and philosophy of BMC Nursing Services as well as the mission, vision and values and behaviors of service excellence standards of BMC.
Compliant with HIPAA/confidentiality standards at all times.
Demonstrates commitment to own professional growth and competence.
Completes and maintains unit specific training and competency monitors (with passing scores) in unit-defined time frames in order to maintain employment.
Completes all annual hospital-wide mandatory training within defined timeframe (i.e. safety, corporate compliance, confidentiality).
Documents in a timely, accurate and concise manner.
Demonstrates competence in specified computer applications.
Demonstrates ability to document in EMR.
Demonstrates consistently a team approach to care.
Demonstrates effective communication strategies.
Adheres to all policies and procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Current RN license recognized by the State of Iowa Board of Nursing.
Successful demonstration of competence in Basic Life Support (Health Care Provider) prior to independent patient care.
Capable and competent in computer data entry and general program navigation.
The expectation is that all staff nurses with less than one year of RN experience will participate in and complete the year-long Nurse Residency program.
Ability to physically manage aggressive patients.
Work Shift
7a-7p (United States of America)Benefits (FT/PT)
Retirement - IPERS
Education Assistance
Employee Health & Wellness
PTO
Free Parking
Health Insurance
Supplemental Insurance
529 College Savings Plan
And more!
Broadlawns Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
See All 37 Registered Nurse Med Surg Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsRegistered Nurse Med Surg Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Nurse Med Surg Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- FirstChoice10

- MercyOne9

- Franklin General Hospital3

- tms1

- Healthforce1

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse med surg jobs across Iowa.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Current BLS certification required before start date
- Associate or bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited program
- One or more years of acute care med-surg or clinical inpatient experience preferred
- Strong proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Ability to manage a full patient load with demonstrated assessment and prioritization skills
Registered Nurse Med Surg Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered nurse med surg in Iowa?
You must earn an associate or bachelor of science in nursing from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and obtain an active license through the Iowa Board of Nursing. Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in other compact states may work in Iowa without obtaining a separate license. Most hospitals then require new hires to complete an internal med-surg orientation or unit-specific training before independent patient assignments begin.
How much do registered nurse med surgs make in Iowa?
Registered nurse med surgs 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 registered nurse med surgs in Iowa?
Employers hiring registered nurse med surgs in Iowa right now include FirstChoice, MercyOne, and Franklin General Hospital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are among the most consistent large-system hirers in the state across multiple Iowa locations.
Which Iowa cities have the most registered nurse med surg jobs?
The cities with the most registered nurse med surg openings in Iowa are West Des Moines, Newton, and Hampton. Des Moines drives the largest share of listings as home to major health systems including UnityPoint Health Iowa Methodist and MercyOne Des Moines, while Iowa City's volume reflects the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Cedar Rapids supports a dense concentration of regional acute care and specialty hospital campuses.
Are there remote registered nurse med surg jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Med-surg nursing is a hands-on, bedside role that requires direct patient care, so the vast majority of positions are fully on-site. About 0% of registered nurse med surg openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles typically involve care coordination, telephonic case management, or utilization review functions rather than direct floor nursing.
How can I get hired as a registered nurse med surg in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new graduate nurse residency program, which several large Iowa employers offer specifically to help RNs transition from school to independent practice. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics both run structured residency cohorts that place new graduates on med-surg floors with extended preceptorship. Candidates who have completed clinical rotations in acute care or who hold a certified nursing assistant credential have a clear edge when applying, and targeting critical access hospitals in smaller Iowa communities can also lower the competition threshold for a first full-time role.
Where can I find and apply to registered nurse med surg jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to registered nurse med surg jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 37 Registered Nurse Med Surg Jobs in Iowa
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