The population of Idaho is a little over 1.6 million people, and Idaho continues to have a growing need for healthcare services and qualified nurses. With the number of nursing schools and programs like: RN to BSN, accelerated nursing programs in Idaho, there is no reason for you to miss out of becoming a part of this great career. Aspiring nurses from Boise to Nampa and beyond can search for the best nursing schools in Idaho, and choose to go to school for a few years and come out with the ability to change lives. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, you might as well start looking through the many schools available to you. Here is a little bit of information to help you find the perfect Idaho nursing school for your needs.
How to Become a Nurse in Idaho
You can start the process of becoming a nurse in Idaho by going to school. There are several levels of nursing degrees and nursing programs in Idaho out there, and each one can lead to a different type of work for you. Find a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) if you would like to get the best education possible. After that, all you need to do is make sure you can start the career of your dreams with the degree you are shooting for. Common nursing degrees in Idaho include:
- Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years
After you complete your education, you can apply for a nursing license through the Idaho Board of Nursing. You might also want to obtain certifications for some of the skills you have in nursing. All of this can be used as credentials in your nursing resume to ultimately get the best jobs in your area. Also, here is a list of possible nursing career paths and related articles for additional reading:
- Nurse Anesthetist: How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
- Registered Nurse: Registered Nurse Job Description
- Licensed Practical Nurse: How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Medical Assistant: Certified Medical Assistant Programs
- More Nursing Careers: Nursing Careers in General
Tuition for Idaho Nursing Schools
The College Board provides stats for the average tuition rates in Idaho. These rates depend on the type of school you choose to attend and the amount of time you need to spend in school for your degree. Use the data below and the timeframe approximations from above to determine roughly how much money you will spend on your education.
- Public Two Year College: $3,686 per year
- Public Four Year University: $6,325 per year
- Private Four Year University: $6,890 per year
Job Prospects for Idaho Nurses
The job growth in the nursing field is quite strong, even in rural communities in Idaho. Nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and other upper-level nurses tend to be in higher demand than entry level nurses because there are fewer of them in the state. Here is a chart showing the average salaries for various nurses jobs in Idaho. (BLS)
- Nursing Assistant: $22,650 per year
- Licensed Practical Nurse: $39,120 per year
- Registered Nurse: $59,830 per year
- Nurse Practitioner: $96,160 per year
Look for a nursing school in Idaho that can help you start your future off right.
Nursing Schools in Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho is a private, four-year university affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The college in light of its mission, makes every effort to create a wholesome learning atmosphere where students are able to strengthen their faith and receive the high quality education they are seeking for and is one if you are looking for Idaho nursing programs.
As a private faith based institution the school’s mission is to develop “disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.”
Here is a statement from their website pertaining to the schools accreditation, “Brigham Young University – Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process.” (Source)
- Location: Rexburg, ID
- Student Enrollment: 14,945
- Type of School: Private
- Tuition: $163 / credit hour
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- College Accredited: Yes
- Offers Online Programs: Yes
- Degree Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN
Boise State University
Boise State University is driven by their focused conviction that their students will be innovative thinkers, they will be future leaders, and this future begins with students in their classrooms.
- City: Boise
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s
- Resident Tuition: $7,354/year
- Non-Resident Tuition: $10,902/year
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- College Accredited: Yes
- Offers Online Programs: Yes
- Boise State Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN, Nurse Practitioners
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College is located at Lewiston, Idaho, and was founded in 1893. The college is a public undergraduate college that focuses on three aspects: academic programs, career & technical programs, and community programs. Lewis-Clark State College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities.
- City: Lewiston
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s
- Resident Tuition: $6,120/year
- Asotin County Resident Tuition: $9,652/year
- Non-Resident Tuition: $17,620/year
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Student Enrollment: 7,100
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: Yes
- Offers Online Programs: No
- Lewis-Clark State College Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
College of Southern Idaho
The College of Southern Idaho is located in Twin Falls, Idaho. The school is a student-centered environment that offers other services to students to help them succeed, to name a few: advising, financial aid, health services, learning centers, and study skills. The school is confident in it ability to offer students innovative programs that are affordable and that are a personalized experience for their students.
The following statement pertaining to the college’s accredited status, “The College of Southern Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process.” (Source)
- City: Lewiston
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s
- Tuition: $130 / credit hour
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Student Enrollment: 7,100
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: Yes
- Offers Online Programs: No
- College of Southern Idaho Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
College of Western Idaho
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is a comprehensive community college providing higher education programs to residents of Western Idaho. We offer a full range of academic and professional-technical courses leading to an Associate of Arts or Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degrees, continuing education, and certificates. CWI also offers Basic Skills Education to help prepare for a GED, Dual Credit for high school students, and fast-track career training for working professionals. Choose from classes offered at a variety of campuses throughout the Treasure Valley or online. We schedule to meet your educational needs during the day, evening, and weekends.
“The College of Western Idaho delivers college credit instruction, certificates and degrees through its memorandum of understanding with the College of Southern Idaho (CSI). CSI is accredited through The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).” (Source)
- Location: Nampa, ID
- Student Enrollment:
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: No
- Offers Online Programs: No
- College of Western Idaho Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN
- Website: www.cwidaho.cc
North Idaho College
North Idaho College is located in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and was founded in 1933. The college is a comprehensive community college that offers degrees and certificates for their students from a variety of academic programs.
North Idaho College is an accredited college and you can read their accreditation here, “North Idaho College has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (the NWCCU) since 1950. The NWCCU is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. The college’s most recent comprehensive review by the commission was its Year Seven evaluation in spring 2013. In August 2013, the NWCCU reaffirmed North Idaho College’s accreditation.” (Source)
- Location: Coeur D’Alene, ID
- Student Enrollment: 6,000
- Resident Tuition: $137 / credit hour
- Non-Resident Tuition: $340 / credit hour
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: Yes
- North Idaho College Nursing Programs: Associate
- Website: https://www.nic.edu/
Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, Idaho, and was founded in 1913 as a nonprofit comprehensive Christian university. The schools offers students a wide spectrum of degrees and programs for its students in a variety of disciplines. The university’s mission is preparing its students to become global Christians, “God’s creative and redemptive agents,” by providing the climate for academic excellence and creative intelligence.
The following is a statement of accreditation from the university, “NNU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been rated by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top masters-level universities in the West. In addition NNU is often featured in the Princeton Review’s Book The Best Western Colleges.” (Source)
- Location: Nampa, ID
- Student Enrollment: 6,000+
- Resident Tuition: $130 / credit hour
- Non-Resident Tuition: $280 / credit hour
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Type of School: Private
- College Accredited: No
- Offers Online Programs: No
- Northwest Nazarene University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, Idaho, and was founded in 1901. The university attracts over 13,000 students now from around the world. There are more than 250 programs providing high-quality education for its students, and has been highlighted as a leading institution in health professions for its students. Not only are they providing innovative solutions within health profession the school is maintaining is core integrity with other professions in energy, nuclear research, teaching, engineering, humanities, technology, and many others.
Idaho State University is an accredited university and their statement of accreditation, “Idaho State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.” (Source)
- Location: Pocatello, ID
- Student Enrollment: 13,000+
- Resident Tuition (full-time): $3,478.00 / semester
- Non-Resident Tuition (full-time): $10,512.00 / semester
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: Yes
- Offers Online Programs: No
- Idaho State University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Eastern Idaho Technical College is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was founded in 1969 as a State supported technical college. The college has an open door policy and offers students affordable educational costs, while still providing students with excellent higher learning and skill acquiring from their degrees and programs offered.
The mission statement of the schools is as follows, “Eastern Idaho Technical College provides superior educational services in a positive learning environment that “champions” student success and regional workforce needs.” (Source), and EITC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- Student Enrollment:
- Resident Tuition (full-time): $105 / credit hour
- Non-Resident Tuition (full-time): $211 / credit hour
- Financial Aid: Yes
- Scholarships: Yes
- Type of School: Public
- College Accredited: Yes
- Eastern Idaho Technical College Nursing Programs: Certified Nursing Assistant, LPN, RN, Medical Assistant
- Website: http://www.eitc.edu