DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Board of Nursing is issuing emergency licenses to nurses who haven't received them, as long as they have completed their education requirements.
The move is possible after Governor Kim Reynolds signed an emergency proclamation.
Nursing students not able to complete their hospital training because of a lack of personal protective equipment are being allowed to meet the requirement through simulations.
There are hundreds of pre-license nurses in Iowa set to graduate this spring and enter the workforce.
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has nearly 100 nursing students that don't yet have their licenses.
The school plans to use the emergency order from Governor Reynolds to streamline those students into the workforce to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This Proclamation was absolutely necessary for us to graduate our nursing students this May,” said DMACC Academic Dean of Health and Public Services.Dr. Arthur Brown. “We still have some work ahead but we are working hard to prepare work-ready nurses to help fight this crisis.”