Idaho Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide contains important information on the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered by the colleges and universities in Idaho. Students can pick from numerous nursing concentrations at many schools, including adult gerontology nurse practitioner, nursing populations, family nurse practitioner, and nursing education. Students also have alternative options to earning a nursing degree. Select schools also offer online bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs that allow students to fulfill degree requirements from a distance while completing the necessary clinical requirements in their hometowns.
Quick Facts
- 9 schools with nursing programs in Idaho are in our database (see below).
- 7 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 5 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 3 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Idaho
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- Idaho State University (#136 tie)
US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Idaho State University (#123 tie)
Below you will find more information about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in Idaho.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Idaho
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Idaho nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Idaho Board of Nursing (https://ibn.boardsofnursing.org/ibn).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | Net Price^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 93.5% | N/A | $11,571 |
| Brigham Young University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 94.9% | N/A | $8,624 |
| College of Southern Idaho (ASN to RN) | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $6,269 |
| College of Western Idaho | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $6,325 |
| College of Eastern Idaho | Yes | No | No | No | 97% | N/A | 86% | N/A | $11,690 |
| Idaho State University (ASN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $13,234 |
| Idaho State University (BSN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 92% | N/A | $13,234 |
| Idaho State University (MSN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 97% | N/A | $13,234 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | Yes | Yes | No | CCNE | 100% | N/A | 93% | N/A | $14,881 |
| North Idaho College (Generic ADN) | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 95% | N/A | $6,287 |
| North Idaho College (LPN to RN) | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $6,287 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 94.59% | N/A | $19,789 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**Pass rates for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams are as reported by the individual nursing programs; for more information, please see the references below. You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Idaho with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
College of Western Idaho
The College of Western Idaho offers an associate degree nursing program that prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue work as entry-level professional registered nurses. The program seeks to help students develop safe and effective nursing skills, including judgment and critical thinking, as well as the spirit of inquiry and desire for lifelong learning. The degree typically takes 24 months to complete after prerequisites are satisfied. Required courses include Nursing Specialties, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Introductory Microbiology. The College of Western Idaho’s Associate of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
College of Eastern Idaho
College of Eastern Idaho’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program provides graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to work as professional registered nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. The admissions process is competitive and uses a points-based system to select qualified applicants for each starting term. Once admitted, the program takes 68 to 72 credit hours to complete and includes such courses as Advanced Foundations of Nursing Practice, Mental Health Nursing Principles, and Integration of Professional Nursing. A clinically-based capstone experience is also included in the curriculum. College of Eastern Idaho additionally offers a practical nursing program.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
Idaho State University
Idaho State University confers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year, 123 credit program. The nursing curriculum itself generally takes five semesters to complete with students taking coursework on campus, online, and via interactive telecommunication. Nursing majors are encouraged to join the on-campus chapters of the Student Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing students. The nursing program is competitive, accepting only 70 applicants each year and students begin their nursing coursework in the spring semester. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
Northwest Nazarene University
Undergraduate students at Northwest Nazarene University can pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a four-year program that combines both general education and nursing coursework. Nursing majors will take courses in lifespan development, nutrition, childbearing family, and nursing research. Students may want to join the Student Nurses Association. Nursing majors also have the opportunity to serve in missionary trips to such areas as Nicaragua, Peru, and Ukraine. Scholarships, such as H.E.L.P. (Health Education Leadership Program), are available to help fund eligible nursing majors’ studies. Applications are due March 1 with students notified of acceptance around June 15.
Master’s in Nursing Programs
Boise State University
Graduate students at Boise State University can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Master of Nursing (MN) in Nursing of Populations, or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. Students pursuing the adult gerontology nurse practitioner degree may opt for the primary care track or the acute care track. Regardless of the track, students must complete a minimum of 47 credits in such core coursework as foundations of knowledge and theory for advanced nursing, concepts of population nursing in health systems, advanced research and scholarly inquiry for nursing, and leadership for advanced nursing practice. Students in the nursing populations program will study policy-making and learn how to improve the health outcomes of populations in need. The nursing populations program spans six semesters on a part-time basis.
Idaho State University
Idaho State University (Idaho State) offers a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nursing Education program. The 43-credit hour program is offered online with both part-time and full-time options. To be considered for admission, students must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an appropriately accredited school and have a current Registered Nurse (RN) license. There may be some restrictions for applicants with a state residence outside of Idaho or Utah. Applications are considered each year in the fall. Graduates will be prepared to assume educator roles in settings including hospitals, health departments, and clinics.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. Boise State University: https://www.boisestate.edu/healthsciences/
8. Brigham Young University: https://nursing.byu.edu/college-history
9. College of Southern Idaho: https://www.csi.edu/programs/registered-nursing/default.aspx
10. College of Western Idaho: https://cwi.edu/program/nursing
11. College of Eastern Idaho: https://cei.edu/
12. Idaho State University: http://www2.isu.edu/healthsciences/pdf/annual-report-FY14.pdf
13. Lewis-Clark State College: https://www.lcsc.edu/
14. North Idaho College: http://www.nic.edu/modules/images/programs/file/nursingADNNCLEXPassRates.pdf
15. Northwest Nazarene University: https://www.nnu.edu/