ADN Programs in Idaho

What types of nursing licenses does Idaho award?
Idaho, like most states, has several different nursing licenses for which a person can qualify. Idaho recognizes licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and APPN nurses (which stands for Advanced Practice Professional Nurse).

Can I Become an RN in Idaho through an ADN program?

Yes. In order to become a registered nurse in Idaho, you must graduate from a school approved by the Idaho Board of Nursing with either a two year ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) or a four year B.S. (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.) Following graduation, you are required to apply with the state of Idaho for your license. The Idaho Board of Nursing also requires that you take and pass an examination called the NCLEX-RN, which stands for the National Council (of State Boards of Nursing) Licensure Examination for RN’s.

What is the average salary of an ADN RN in Idaho?

The average salary for a registered nurse in Idaho, including one with an ADN, is $67,000 a year. The average Idaho salary is approximately 13% below the nationwide average for nurses, but as always cost of living issues should be considered as well in gauging salaries. Different specialties within the field of registered nursing in Idaho will have different salaries, also. For example, the average salary of a traveling emergency room registered nurse in Idaho is $72,000, while the average salary of a dialysis registered nurse in Idaho is $57,000.

What is the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (“NELRP”)?

The NELRP provides registered nurses nationally an opportunity to repay a large proportion of their student loans in return for agreeing to work for two years at hospitals or clinics in certain high-need areas designated by the federal government or as a nursing faculty member. Nurses in Iowa may, along with the rest of the country, apply for this program.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Training Schools: 2 Year Nursing Programs in Idaho

Carrington College

Department of Nursing

1122 N. Liberty Street

Boise, Idaho 83704

(208) 377-8080

Located in Idaho’s capital city, Carrington College used to be known as Apollo College. The RN bridge program for Idaho nurses began in 2008, and is designed to help Licensed Practical Nurses receive their ADN degree and obtain their Registered Nurse (RN) license from the state of Idaho. It also prepares its graduates to take the NCLEX-RN, the RN nursing examination required not only by the State of Idaho, but by most states before a person can practice as an RN.

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Department Of Nursing

102-A Clarke

Rexburg, Idaho 83460-0620

(208) 496-1321

BYU Idaho offers an Associate of Science degree in nursing. There are two tracks. The first is a traditional two year track, consisting of four consecutive semesters. For more advanced students, who enter the nursing program with 48 credits or more, there is also an alternate track. The traditional track’s classes are held Monday through Friday during the day, as are clinicals. The alternate track also holds classes during the day, but clinicals are held on the weekends. Incoming LPN’s that apply to the ASN program and are accepted are provided an individualized program depending on their prior class work and experience.

College of Southern Idaho

Health Sciences & Human Services

P.O. Box 1238

Twin Falls, Idaho 83303-1238

(208) 732-6724

The ADN nursing program at this college is not only approved by the Idaho Board of Nursing but also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. A person graduating from this program will be able to obtain his or her Idaho RN license (assuming he or she passes the NCLEX-RN) as well as, if he or she chooses, continue his or her education by moving forward with a BSN as well.

College of Western Idaho

Center for Health Professions

Po Box 7567, Mail Stop # 3000

Boise, Id 83707

(208) 562-2008

The groundwork necessary to open the College of Western Idaho was laid in May, 2007, when voters passed a referendum establishing a community college district in Ada and Canyon County. Professional two year degrees, including the ADN in nursing, began to be offered in 2009. Even though it is a relatively new program, spaces for the nursing program fill up fast, so be sure to check with the school of nursing to find out all applicable deadlines. For prospective student’s convenience, the nursing application can now be filled out on-line and submitted electronically, or it can be printed out and mailed in if the student prefers.

Eastern Idaho Technical College

Department of Nursing

1600 South 25th East

Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404

(208) 524-3000, Ex. 3421

The nursing program at Eastern Tech is an LPN to ADN program. In order to qualify to apply to the program, a prospective student must be working, licensed LPN’s or LVN’s in Idaho. This is different from some programs in other states at other schools, where a student may be able to attend the LPN-RN program immediately upon completing their LVN courses and obtaining their LPN license, even if they have never practiced. This program takes three semesters and one summer term to complete.

Idaho State University

School of Nursing

As Campus Box 8074

Pocatello, Idaho 83209

(208) 282-2185

The ADN program at this university is unique in that it is a distance based learning program. Only available to people holding a current license to practice as an LPN in Idaho, the program consists of courses taught through online learning, with one or two all day sessions per month at the school in Pocatello (not one of the three branch campuses.) The LPN-RN program requires the students to take a number of prerequisites as well as nursing courses. Overall, the program takes 3 – 4 ½ semesters, with nursing courses occupying a total of 11 months, which equates to two semesters plus one summer term.

ITT Technical Institute

12302 West Explorer Drive

Boise, Idaho 83713

(208) 322-8844

Through its Breckinridge School of Nursing, the ITT Tech campus in Idaho is able to offer an ADN-RN program. As do must ADN programs, the nursing course of study includes both classroom work and clinical work. Some of the prerequisite courses for the ADN program may be taught online or as a hybrid class (both online and at school). All of the nursing courses, however, are taught at the Idaho campus. The size of each class varies from 15 to 30 students.

North Idaho College

Allied Health Division

1000 West Garden Ave.

Coeur D’Alene, Idaho 83814

(208) 769-2413

This college’s ASN-RN program is a traditional two year, multi-semester program, requiring 23-25 credit hours of general education courses, and 43 required program courses, as well as 1 recommended nursing practice clinical practicum course. LPN’s can apply for advanced placement based upon their education and experience. Because the number of applicants often exceeds the number of class slots available, the school uses a points rating system to determine which students will be admitted to the program.