Best Nursing Schools in Idaho: let’s take you on a journey of the best nursing schools in the US and the best nursing programs in the US that you can find in Idaho State.

To work as a nurse in Idaho, one must first become licensed as a registered nurse (RN). To get your license, you must have a minimum amount of education and experience.

To be able to have the experience and training you need, you must enroll in any of the best nursing schools in Idaho.

This guide shows you the best colleges for nurses in Idaho.

Ready?

Let’s get the ball rolling!!!

What’s The Job Outlook For Nurses In Idaho?

The 14,400 nurses in Idaho show that about just 19.03 nurses are employed for every 1,000 workers who applied for a job.

What this means is that Idaho is also on par with the national average for employing RNs. If you’re a seasoned nurse, you wouldn’t have issues finding a job in the state.

List Of The Application Requirements To Apply To Nursing Schools In Idaho

When applying to nursing schools in Idaho, these are the basic requirements you need to apply to any of the colleges;

ACT and/or SAT scores
College entrance essay(s)
Letter(s) of recommendation
High school transcript (GPA).

However, keep in mind that the requirements are school-dependent, therefore before you apply, visit each school’s website to know their requirements.

Important Factors To Consider When Choosing A Nursing School In Idaho

Keep these in mind when you’re about to choose the perfect school to train on how to become a nurse in Idaho;

NCLEX pass rate
Program outcomes
Cost of living on-campus or in the area
Type of program (BSN or associate degree)
Distance from hospitals for clinical practice
School and nursing program acceptance rate
Annual tuition and total nursing program cost
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
School accreditation (regional and national).

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in California 2023 | A Detailed Guide

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Idaho Today

Now, let’s guide you on the best nursing schools in Idaho USA.

However, keep in mind that the top 10 colleges in our list were based on the NCLEX pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate, and accreditation from ACEN or CCNE.

Now the list includes;

1. Lewis-Clark State College

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.87%
Tuition Per Year: $6,996 (In-state), $20,252 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Lewis-Clark State College is a small public school with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1. This is one of the best nursing schools in Idaho, USA.

The school is a great school for nursing students owing to the presence of state-of-the-art labs where students can practice in detail what they learn in theory.

This makes Lewis-Clark State College nursing school one of the best nursing schools in Idaho. Nursing programs at the college include the traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN bridge program, and an LPN-BSN.

APPLY TO LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAM

2. Northwest Nazarene University

NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.37%
Tuition Per Year: $34,390 (For all nursing students)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (No)

Northwest Nazarene University’s nursing program is one of the best nursing programs in the US.

Its College of Nursing main program is the traditional undergraduate BSN, other extensions include online RN-BSN, MSN, and MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner.

As a private school, Northwest Nazarene University offers nursing students yearly international medical mission trip opportunities to Nicaragua, Ukraine, Peru, and Ghana for exposure and learning.

APPLY TO NNU COLLEGE OF NURSING

3. Idaho State University

NCLEX Pass Rate: 84.25%
Tuition Per Year: $7,958 (In-state), $25,934 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Idaho State University has a student population of about 13,000 and a class size of 13:1. Ita nursing program is regarded beyond Idaho and the USA at large.

The main nursing degree at Idaho State University is the traditional BSN which is very competitive and just 40 students are admitted each semester.

Other nursing options include an accelerated degree, online BSN completion programs, and multiple graduate-level programs.

Most of the nursing programs are hybrid programs except for the BSN which is offered in Pocatello. This is one of the best nursing schools in Idaho, USA.

APPLY TO ISU SCHOOL OF NURSING

4. Boise State University

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.53%
Tuition Per Year: $8,364 (In-state), $25,701.10 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Next on our list of best nursing schools in Idaho is Boise State University. Boise State University is one of the largest schools in Idaho.

Its School of Nursing is growing rapidly with the number of traditional BSN students totaling up to 80 each semester.

Boise State University nursing programs include an online DNP program and a hybrid Adult-Gerontology NP program.

APPLY TO BSU SCHOOL OF NURSING

5. Brigham Young University – Idaho

NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.22%
Tuition Per Year: $4,536 (LDS), $9,072 (Non-LDS)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (No)

Brigham Young University – Idaho is a large private university with a student population of over 26,000 on-campus students and 15,000 online students.

Its nursing program is one of the best nursing programs in the US, however, it’s expedient you know that BYU-Idaho only offers one program; a traditional BSN.

APPLY TO BYU-IDAHO SCHOOL OF NURSING

6. North Idaho College

NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.31%
Tuition Per Year: $4,245 (In-state), $10,920 (Out-of-state) based on per-credit tuition
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

North Idaho College of Nursing is an accredited nursing school in Idaho that offers two-year degrees that lead to RN licensure. This is one of the best nursing schools in Idaho, USA.

The North Idaho College associate degree in nursing leads to licensure and it’s good to note that the school has low in-state tuition.

APPLY TO NIC COLLEGE OF NURSING

7. College of Western Idaho

NCLEX Pass Rate: 86.36%
Tuition Per Year: $4,170 (In-state), $9,180 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (No)

The College of Western Idaho is another small, two-year school that has affordable tuition for nurses. Its nursing program is one of the best nursing programs in the US.

It’s ideal to note that the College of Western Idaho’s only nursing program is the associate in nursing RN.

However, keep in mind that additional tuition rates are available for students from other districts in Idaho.

APPLY TO CWI COLLEGE OF NURSING

8. College of Southern Idaho

NCLEX Pass Rate: 82.50%
Tuition Per Year: $3,360 (In-state), $6,840 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

College of Southern Idaho nursing programs offers just an associate in a nursing degree which leads to RN licensure.

To enroll in the College of Southern Idaho nursing program you can either enter this program through the traditional route (no previous experience) or as a licensed practical nurse.

APPLY TO CSI COLLEGE OF NURSING

9. Carrington College – Boise

NCLEX Pass Rate: 80.52%
Tuition Per Year: $25,138 (For all nursing students)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Another good college for nurses in Idaho is Carrington College – Boise.

Carrington College offers just one nursing program which is the licensed vocational nurse (LVN) to RN bridge program.

To enroll in the LVN-RN nursing program at Carrington College – Boise, you must first become an LVN. You can rest assured of quality education at the college.

APPLY TO CARRINGTON COLLEGE BOISE NURSING PROGRAM

10. Aspen University

NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A
Tuition Per Year: $10,550 (For all nursing students)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Aspen University is an online school that offers nursing programs even to the residents of Idaho. This is one of the best nursing schools in the USA.

Its online program includes an online RN-BSN bridge and the RN-MSN bridge program. Interestingly, both nursing programs at Aspen University take a short time to complete.

APPLY TO ASPEN UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAM

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas 2023 | A Detailed Guide

FAQs on The Best Nursing Schools In Idaho

How Many Nurses Are Currently Employed In Idaho?

Idaho currently has 14,400 nurses employed in various healthcare centers and hospitals across the state.

How Much Are Nurses Paid In Idaho?

Following the report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses in Idaho earn about $73,640 yearly.

This is actually lower than the national average salary for nurses which is $77,600.

Which Area Pays Nurses More In Idaho?

How much you get to earn as a nurse in Idaho depends on your location as well as your level of experience.

Here are a few regions in Idaho with the highest salary structure for nurses and the annual mean wage for RNs:

– Twin Falls: $71,760
– Boise City: $75,510
– Coeur d’Alene: $78,600.

What Are The Official Accreditation Bodies Of Nursing Schools In Idaho?

Idaho nursing schools are accredited by;

– Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
– Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

These accrediting bodies ensure that all accredited nursing programs adhere to the same standard and criteria.

How Do I Get a License To Practice Nursing in Idaho?

Getting a nursing license in Idaho is a straightforward process.

Also, Idaho is a member of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) which means you can work with your Idaho nursing license in any other Compact state.

To get your nursing license in Idaho, here are the steps to take;

Step 1: Study at a state board-approved program
Step 2: Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Step 3: Submit electronic fingerprints and pass a criminal background check
Step 4: Pay an application fee and complete an application through the State of Idaho Board of Nursing.

Conclusion

There you have it; the top 10 best nursing schools in Idaho, USA. It’s now up to you to make good use of this information and make the best selection of the best nursing program for yourself.

These colleges for nurses in Idaho are very good and if you have any questions, do well to let me know in the comments below.

References

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