Brigham Young University – Idaho Nursing School Review

Brigham Young University – Idaho (BYU–Idaho, BYU–I, or BYUI), is the largest private school in Idaho, serving approximately 15,000 students on its campus in Rexburg. It is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and it considers its religious foundation as a crucial, defining part of its mission. The nursing department at Brigham Young University – Idaho, in keeping with the university’s mission, incorporates the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into its desired program outcomes.

BYUI offers both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing; both programs have accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approval from the State of Idaho Board of Nursing.

Associate of Science in Nursing

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is the oldest nursing program at BYU- Idaho; it has been in existence since the 1950s. It takes four semesters to complete, and trains students for entry-level work as Registered Nurses (RN). Prospective students can enter the ASN program either through the traditional track or through the alternative track. The traditional track is designed for students who have taken less than forty-eight credits prior to beginning the program. Students in this track take between eight and fifteen credits per semester once they are enrolled, and they complete clinicals during daytime hours, Monday through Friday. Students who have taken more than forty-eight credits prior to beginning the ASN program take the alternative track. Since they have completed more courses going into this track, students generally take fewer credits each semester. They complete clinicals on the weekends. At the end of the program, students take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Nursing Program

Although BYUI does not offer a traditional, pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, it does provide a pathway for RNs who hold an ASN to earn a BSN. To provide maximum flexibility to working RNs, BYU-Idaho offers this program in more than one format. A student may complete the whole program via distance learning, or may complete the program in a hybrid format, partly online and partly on-site. Depending on whether the student pursues the BSN degree on a full-time or part-time basis, the program takes three to six semesters. Clinical hours are a required component of this Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing program, but Brigham Young University – Idaho is willing to work with other healthcare agencies, so a motivated student can set up a clinical rotation in a location that is convenient for him.

Family Nursing Cluster

Drawing on the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, BYUI has developed a unique nursing program to help students care for those around them. This program, called the Family Nursing Cluster, is open to any student, nursing or non-nursing. The cluster consists of three classes which focus on nursing adults, nursing women, and nursing children. The classes do not lead to any kind of certification and nursing majors may not substitute them for any required classes; their main purpose is simply to train graduates to care for their families and those in their community.

Contact:
Brigham Young University – Idaho
525 South Center Street
Rexburg, ID 83460

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