2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Idaho

Nursing graduates in North Idaho College learn to use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making. The faculty engage students as partners to achieve maximum learning outcomes that are relevant to the current clinical practice environment. The students learn to model effective communication, ethical behavior, and respect for diversity.

The nursing graduates at North Idaho College aspire to be a national leader in nursing education by promoting the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to become exceptional care providers. The nursing program here includes general education courses in the arts and sciences and nursing courses so that the students get both the classroom and clinical experience required to work in health care agencies. 

North Idaho College provides financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and grants-in-aid for students who are unable to fund their education. The college also tries to make the students assume as little debt as possible therefore unsubsidized loans are discouraged and non-debt-related types of aid are leveraged whenever possible.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate’s Degree in Nursing program is committed to student success, educational excellence, community engagement, and lifelong learning. Upon completion of this challenging and fulfilling course, students are eligible to take their NCLEX-RN examinations and start practicing as registered nurses. 

The ADN at North Idaho College is a transfer degree and is designed to satisfy the core requirements at Idaho public colleges and universities that offer RN to BSN programs. Similarly, LPNs who are looking to advance their education and professional careers are also eligible to apply for advanced placement in this course.

Idaho State University School of Nursing aims to prepare exemplary nurse leaders who integrate education, service, and scholarship, through practice and research. The graduates are devoted to enhancing the quality of life for both rural and diverse populations.

At Idaho State University School of Nursing, the students are involved in innovative and meaningful simulations that provide them with a unique learning experience. The simulation takes place through the use of high-fidelity mannequins, community members as patient actors, task trainers, and various computerized simulators.  These simulations provide students with a realistic and safe environment to learn and perfect their skills for the complex healthcare environment.

With the 13:1 student to teacher ratio and low cost of tuition, this university provides one of the most highly ranked nursing courses in the state.

Undergraduate Programs: The School of Nursing offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree that prepares students with no prior nursing experience for a career as a professional registered nurse.  In addition to that, the school also has an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for students with a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines. There is also a Baccalaureate Completion Program for RNs designed for working RNs with an associate degree who want to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Programs: The Master of Nursing in Nursing Education aims to prepare nurses for an educator role in a variety of settings such as hospitals, healthcare clinics, and other health care settings.

Similarly, there is a Ph.D. in Nursing degree program that prepares the students for independent research, collaborate as a scholar and leader, and educate for improving health and healthcare globally. The DNP program exists for students seeking a terminal degree in nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Finally, there is a Family Nurse Practitioner to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program that is designed to extend the licensure and practice of licensed FNPs.

At Lewis Clark State College, nursing students are taught by qualified faculty in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings to develop the hands-on skills they need to begin and sustain a career as a professional nurse. The nursing program integrates education, practice, research, and service to achieve its goals. 

One of the most highly rated nursing colleges in the state and the nation, Lewis Clark State College offers multiple tracks to help students achieve their goals of becoming credible and skilled registered nurses. Students learn theoretical knowledge in state-of-the-art classrooms where they are instructed by highly skilled instructors. They also practice their practical skills in high-fidelity simulation labs where they are provided with various scenarios and situations that they might encounter in real-life practice. Upon completion of theoretical classes and skills practice in labs, students learn through clinical rotations in multiple healthcare centers in the area, where they gain experience in how to work with real patients and healthcare team members.

Undergraduate Programs: Lewis Clark State College offers multiple tracks to lead students to their BSN degree. The basic track exists for students with no previous nursing degree. There are also options for currently practicing LPNs to get certified to take their NCLEX-RN examination. 

For students in select community colleges who are currently enrolled in their AS degree, the CC to BSN track allows them to enroll concurrently in the BSN degree.  In addition, the college has an online RN to BSN track for RNs that have graduated with an associate degree or are about to graduate with one.

Nursing classes at the College of Eastern Idaho consist of both theory and practical classes. The course is designed to provide students with the essential knowledge and skills to work as general professional nurses. 

Students here learn via hands-on supervised experience at major healthcare facilities and agencies in the area. There are also well-equipped simulation labs and other laboratories where students can learn to harness their skills in controlled environments. The nursing graduates of the College of Eastern Idaho are working in regional hospitals, care centers, home healthcare, rehabilitation centers, physician’s offices, urgent care centers, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities across the country. With the NCLEX pass rates of the past years at an all-time high, it is no wonder that this college is termed as one of the best in the state.

Undergraduate Programs: The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to pass their NCLEX-PN examination and practice as LPNs under the supervision of RNs. There is also a PN to RN bridge program designed to provide LPNs with the qualifications and skills required to become RNs. The Registered Nursing program provides all the skills and knowledge necessary to practice as Registered Nurses and contribute to the health and wellness of the community.

At Boise State University School of Nursing, students are prepared to provide caring, holistic, and quality nursing services to diverse populations. The faculty also help the students develop effective leadership and interprofessional skills. 

At Boise State University, the faculty and staff are dedicated and focused on academic excellence, high-touch student services, meaningful scholarly pursuits, and engagement with the nursing community. This dedication is evidenced by the consistently high ranking of the university amongst its peers when it comes to quality nursing education. The students practice their skills in a state-of-the-art simulation center that provides them with a safe and controlled environment. They also have access to a 12-bed practice lab that allows them to practice their nursing skills to perfection before going on their clinical rotations. 

Undergraduate Programs: The university offers a BSN program where students are enrolled in a challenging academic experience that emphasizes the strong professional values, core nursing competencies, and leadership skills needed to practice successfully in any healthcare facility. In addition to that, the online RN-BS program also exists for working RNs who want to get their bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Programs: For licensed nurse practitioners who want to expand their scope of practice, the university offers graduate certificates in acute care or primary care adult-gerontology. 

The college also offers a DNP in Leadership degree to prepare nurses to become leaders to transform practice environments, to lead change in complex systems, and to evaluate and implement strategies that optimize health outcomes.

Nurses graduating from the College of Western Idaho can effectively provide patient care, patient and community education, and emotional support to family members regardless of work setting. They are apt in providing patient, and family education regarding post-treatment home care needs like diet, nutrition, excise programs, self-administration of medication, and physical therapy. Graduates of the College of Western Idaho not only manage illness but are also actively involved in promoting the general health of the public.

Nursing instructors at the College of Western Idaho demonstrate exceptional integrity, dedication, and knowledge that they impart to their students as well. The students are actively involved in both theoretical and practical classes by gaining a combination of theory and laboratory instruction as well as clinical experience in multiple healthcare facilities across the area. These experiences prepare the graduates to practice safe, competent, and patient-centered care in an ever-changing healthcare system. The college aims to expand in individual advancement, develop nursing leaders, and contribute to Idaho’s development.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate of Science in Nursing program prepares care providers and nurse leaders who make a positive and strong impact in the healthcare scenario of Idaho and even the world. This course prepares RNs in critical thinking, clinical judgment, and integration of best evidence into practice upon passing their NCLEX-RN examination.

There is also a Practical Nursing Program designed to prepare students to take their NCLEX-PN examination and practice as LPNs upon completion. The students learn to serve in a variety of settings through caring, excellence, and respect for diversity.

Northwest Nazarene University aims to prepare a community of nurse leaders, guiding professional nurses and advanced practitioners who are committed to professional ideals, lifelong learning, and meaningful practice. The graduates are apt at practicing in an increasingly technological healthcare system both within the country and internationally. 

The graduates of the nursing program learn how to advocate for high-quality, evidence-based, safe practice care as a member of the inter-professional and intra-professional teams to optimize patient outcomes. They become skilled leaders with good communication skills who can effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of the inter-professional team in a variety of settings. The students are engaged in rigorous coursework which also includes hands-on experience through the state-of-the-art labs and clinicals at a variety of healthcare facilities throughout the Treasure Valley. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is designed in such a way that the graduates are able to use critical thinking and clinical judgment to implement evidence-based care. There is also an RN to BSN degree that provides RNs with coursework that helps them enhance their critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

Graduate Programs: Northwest Nazarene University’s Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed to prepare RNs for the role of an NP in the family healthcare setting. There is also an online MSN degree that offers two tracks: Leadership and Education or FNP. Both bachelor’s and associate-level nurses are eligible to enroll in this degree.

Carrington College offers nursing degrees that are affordable and can be completed in as few as two years. Nursing courses at this highly accredited institution equip students with the skills and knowledge that employers actively seek.

The nursing graduates provide care in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctors’ offices, clincils, home healthcare services, and more. The instructors are highly qualified and they lead hands-on classes to provide students with the much-needed real-world experience. Students can also learn at their convenient locations owing to the different campuses as well as online classes. The nursing course primarily focuses on communication skills, English composition, mathematics, science, and social sciences, in addition to the technical coursework so that the students are prepared in every way possible to lead a successful professional nursing career. 

Undergraduate Programs: Carrington College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares students to take their NCLEC-RN examination and become compassionate care providers in all kinds of healthcare settings to all kinds of patients. 

In addition to all the educational resources and low tuition, the college also helps students with career search in terms of resume writing to job search support to interview tips.