The Top Nursing Schools in Idaho

Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the country, with demand for nurses increasing even faster. This guide can help you select the best nursing programs in Idaho and plan to earn your registered nurse (RN) license.

Keep reading for more on nursing schools and nursing practice in Idaho, including salary and job prospects.

Picking the right school is one of the most important choices of your nursing career. This guide to the top nursing programs in Idaho can help you make the right decision for your personal and professional goals.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Idaho, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

When choosing among the different nursing schools in Idaho, consider whether you want a two-year or four-year degree, cost and financial aid, and the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) pass rate, which measures how prepared graduates are to practice.

The school’s acceptance and graduation rates and program logistics are also important factors. If you plan to attend an online nursing program in Idaho, check to see if you can get clinical placement as an online student in your community.

Because nursing accreditation is key to program quality and your career prospects, this guide only lists accredited programs.

Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the nation. Most new Idaho residents have moved from neighboring states, seeking a better cost of living than in other parts of the Pacific Northwest that still offers access to the coast and its commercial and technology hubs.

Demand for nurses is high in Idaho, and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this nursing shortage. To help fill the need, the state grants new nursing school graduates a temporary license, so they can start work immediately.

Because Idaho is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, once you graduate from a nursing school in Idaho, you can apply for a multistate license. This lets you practice in any of the 39 participating NLC states, another advantage to nursing programs in Idaho.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average RN salary in Idaho is $73,640, compared to $80,010 nationally. The salary for nurse practitioners (NPs) is $113,890, also less than the $114,510 national average. The cost of living in Idaho is changing quickly because of the rapid population growth, and at 102.1, it is slightly higher than the national index of 100.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of RN jobs is projected to grow 19.9%, significantly above the national rate of 12.1%.

Residents of California, Oregon, and Washington, are likely to move to Idaho, seeking more affordable homes. Many are tech workers who are now working from home but still want to be within easy reach of companies on the coast.

Boise, in particular, is rapidly adding new dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions, but it is still within reach of beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation.

Like all states with RN licensing requirements, Idaho requires RNs to graduate from nursing school with at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and for advanced practice nurses a master’s, pass the relevant national examination (either the NCLEX-RN exam or board certification for advanced practice nurses), and complete a criminal background check.

It takes around two years to earn an ADN degree or four years for a BSN degree. Idaho has one of the fastest license processing times in the country. Once the state board of nursing receives your completed paperwork, you will be notified of your licensure status within five business days.

You must earn either an ADN or a BSN degree, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and complete a criminal background check to earn an RN license. The ADN takes two years and the BSN takes four years to complete.

If you have a multistate license, you are eligible to practice in Idaho.

Nursing licenses in Idaho are valid for two years for both RNs and APRNs. You must complete continuing education units and either have 100 hours of practice or a specialty nursing certification.

APRNs must also complete a peer review for license renewal.

To take the NCLEX-RN in Idaho, you must submit your application to the state board of nursing and register with Pearson VUE. If the state board of nursing determines you are eligible, you will receive an authorization code to take the NCLEX-RN examination.