RN Programs in Idaho
Registered nurses in Idaho have chosen the best time possible to advance their education and careers. According to the official publication of the Idaho Nurses Association, the Idaho Action Coalition received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in the summer of 2013. Idaho was one of 33 states to receive the grant. This grant has enabled nurses and other professionals in Idaho’s healthcare industry to provide the best care possible to the citizens. The recipients of the grant work hard to prepare nurses in order to lead system change, strengthen nursing education, and expand access to care by utilizing nurses to the fullest potential in recruiting and training a more diverse workforce. This improves the overall quality of healthcare in the state of Idaho.
In our Idaho RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Idaho RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.
In the State of Idaho, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
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College of Western Idaho
- 5500 East Opportunity Drive, Nampa, ID - 83687
- (208) 562-3000
School Information
Location: Nampa, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
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North Idaho College
- 1000 West Garden Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, ID - 83814-2199
- (208) 769-3300
School Information
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
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Brigham Young University-Idaho
- 525 S Center, Rexburg, ID - 83460-1690
- (208) 496-1411
School Information
Location: Rexburg, ID- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree
- Program Accreditors: CCNE
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College of Southern Idaho
- 315 Falls Ave., Twin Falls, ID - 83301
- (208) 733-9554
School Information
Location: Twin Falls, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
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Carrington College-Boise
- 1122 North Liberty Street, Boise, ID - 83704-8742
- (208) 377-8080
School Information
Location: Boise, ID- Type: Private For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
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Idaho State University
- 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID - 83209
- (208) 282-2700
School Information
Location: Pocatello, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Hybrid, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, Master Degree, MSN to DNP
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
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College of Eastern Idaho
- 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID - 83404-5788
- (208) 535-3000
School Information
Location: Idaho Falls, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
ADN Programs In Idaho
Registered nurses are very busy with their career alone so, when school is added to the mix, life can become quite hectic. Idaho offers programs both online and onsite for RNs to earn a BSN with full and part-time enrollment. A majority of the universities have Academic Advisors ready to assist students in designing a course of study. In order to enroll in a RN to BSN program, you must have already obtained RN licensure, submit your transcript from your associate or diploma education and complete the prerequisite courses by every program. At least one university offers a Stimulation Center suite that can be used as a clinical resource. This allows students a 12-bed practice lab and Learning Resource center. This provides hands-on training without posing risk to patients.
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Idaho?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Idaho so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Idaho is offered by College of Southern Idaho at about $6,213.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of N/A%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Idaho State University and it will cost about $13,164.00.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inIdaho: $8,327.83
- Net-Price Range for Idaho ADN Programs: $6,213.00 to $13,164.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Idaho Schools: $9,010.83
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Idaho: $4,077.00 to $15,620.00
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Northwest Nazarene University
- 623 S. University Blvd., Nampa, ID - 83686-5897
- (208) 467-8011
School Information
Location: Nampa, ID- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Bachelor Degree, Master Degree
- Program Accreditors: CCNE
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Brigham Young University-Idaho
- 525 S Center, Rexburg, ID - 83460-1690
- (208) 496-1411
School Information
Location: Rexburg, ID- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree
- Program Accreditors: CCNE
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Boise State University
- 1910 University Dr, Boise, ID - 83725
- (208) 426-1000
School Information
Location: Boise, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, MSN to DNP
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
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Idaho State University
- 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID - 83209
- (208) 282-2700
School Information
Location: Pocatello, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Hybrid, Online
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, Master Degree, MSN to DNP
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
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Lewis-Clark State College
- 500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID - 83501-2698
- (208) 792-5272
School Information
Location: Lewiston, ID- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Bachelor Degree
- Program Accreditors: CCNE
BSN Programs In Idaho
Idaho has 11 accredited nursing schools that offer RN to BSN on campus and online, as well as 3 to 4 year on campus BSN degrees. The programs are highly competitive and admissions are dependent on the cumulative GPA 2.5 and higher is required of the prerequisite courses which are 36-39.00 credit hours. CNA certification or the LCSC substitution may be required prior to admission into the program. TOEFL and Entrance Exams may also be required. HEISA2 Admission Assessment Exam scores of 75% to 80% are required. Students with English as a second language must meet minimum English requirements. Application fees vary per institution. A Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen are required. Upon graduation the student will pay a $90.00 application fee for state licensure and $200.00 fee for the NCLEX RN exam. Elective courses can include: A foreign language, Anthropology or writing.
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Idaho?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Idaho to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Idaho is offered by Brigham Young University-Idaho and will cost you about $8,148.00. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Northwest Nazarene University and will cost you about $18,969.00.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Idaho: $13,381.20
- Net-Price Range for Idaho BSN Programs: $8,148.00 to $18,969.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Idaho Schools: $15,327.40
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Idaho: $8,450.00 to $22,935.00
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Idaho
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Idaho
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Idaho offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Learn about the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Idaho RN Licensing Requirements
Idaho adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 1, 2001. This allows nurses who reside in a Compact state the ability to practice in other states without holding additional licenses. Nurses only hold a valid license in only one compact state and that is their primary state of residence. The other compact states include: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. If your new state of residence is a member of the Compact, your Idaho license will become invalid when you are granted a new license.
Idaho State Board of Nursing
280 N. 8th Street, Suite 210
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 577-2476
Fees
Initial licensing fee, RN: $90
License renewal (every two years), RN: $90
RN Licensure by Exam
Nursing candidates may request for licensure by examination to the board via telephone, fax, or mail. Provide the following information with your request:
- Name, Telephone number
- Mailing Address
- Date of Graduation
- School of Graduation
- The type of application you are seeking
Please contact the Board office to check qualification status if you are applying for licensure through examination. You will also need to contact the Board office for a Fingerprint Card.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Licensure through endorsement can be achieved the same way. The application processing may take about 4-6 weeks and a temporary license will be issued when the application has been completed with the appropriate fees being paid. The fee for an endorsement is $110. Candidates must also pay for fingerprinting and a refresher course if they have not actively practiced within three years.
RN Salaries in Idaho
There are 11,530 Registered Nurses in the state of Idaho who have a compact nursing license. This is an advantage when nurses are contemplating traveling or relocation after graduation. It is predicted by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics that there will be a 26% increase in need for nurses from 2001 to 2020. This means nurses are becoming part of a growing profession.
Idaho Registered Nursing Salaries
This table will show that the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area has the highest hourly mean wage. The same area also has the highest annual median wage. Lastly, you will notice that the Boise City- Nampa, Idaho has the largest number of registered nurses employed.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City-Nampa, ID | 5,810 | $29.17 | $60,680 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 1,260 | $32.85 | $68,330 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 1,020 | $27.08 | $56,320 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 650 | $27.92 | $58,070 |
| Pocatello, ID | 580 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| North Idaho nonmetropolitan area | 690 | $26.79 | $55,720 |
| Southwest Idaho nonmetropolitan area | 270 | $27.81 | $57,840 |
| Southcentral Idaho nonmetropolitan area | 1,170 | $26.98 | $56,130 |
| East Idaho nonmetropolitan area | 570 | $25.88 | $53,820 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
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