Idaho MSN Programs

Idaho State University: RN to MS Program Review
Idaho State University, 921 South 8^th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho, 83209
Idaho State University (ISU) is a public university that is classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research high and teaching institution. The University was established in 1901 and is now the second largest major university for full-time in the state. A Master of Science (MS) in nursing program is offered with several entry points. Areas of concentration are the following:Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership.

Graduates of the MS program are prepared to take the national certification exams related to their advanced nursing specialty. One difference in this program from most others is that a thesis is not required. Full-time programs take two years to complete, and part-time programs can be completed in three years. All masters programs in nursing are offered in an online format. The Family Nurse Practitioner option provides training for Registered Nurses to care for patients throughout the human lifespan. Rural health issues are emphasized in this program that requires 53 credits and at least 816 hours of clinical practice.

The University’s Clinical Nurse Specialist program requires 45 credits of coursework and at least 500 hours in clinical settings. Nurses are prepared to serve as advanced practice nurses in adult medical and surgical areas. The Nursing Education specialty trains nurses in educational procedures so that they can fill nursing faculty positions. This program requires 40 credits. The Nursing Leadership provides training for nurses who want to enter leadership roles in nursing. Thirty-nine credits plus practicum hours are required for this concentration.

Admission requirements are a bachelors degree in nursing with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 semester credits of undergraduate work. Applicants whose grade point average is 3.0 to 3.499 must score at the 40^th percentile or above on at least one of the three sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is not required for students with grade point averages above 3.499. Candidates must have a current nursing license as a Registered Nurse in Idaho and must submit three professional references.

Northwest Nazarene University: RN to MSN Program Review

Northwest Nazarene University

623 South University Boulevard

Nampa, Idaho 83686

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is located at 623 South University Boulevard, Nampa, Idaho 83686. The University was established in 1913 and offers programs online to other cities in Idaho and in 10 countries around the world. On-campus programs are also offered at this Christian University. U.S. News and World Report has rated Northwest Nazarene University as one of the top masters-level universities in the west. NNU offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to prepare the Registered Nurse with an associate or baccalaureate degree to become a Nurse Educator.

The program follows the cohort model, and students are grouped in small classes. Most students take from 6 to 9 credits each semester and are considered full-time students. Associate degree nurses must complete the nursing bridge courses before beginning the masters of science in nursing program. Flexible schedules and a completely online program are the benefits of this program at NNU. After graduation, students are eligible to take the certification exam to be classified as a Nurse Educator.

Admission requirements include having a bachelors or associates degree in nursing. Candidates with a bachelors degree in nursing must also have a current Registered Nursing license in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory. The applicant’s undergraduate grade point average must be at least 3.0. Nurses with an associates degree in nursing must have a grade point average of 3.0 and a current Registered Nurse license. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Applicants with a grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99 may be admitted to the nursing program on a provisional basis. They must then earn a grade point average of 3.0 on their first three graduate courses to remain in the program.

Stevens-Henager College: RN to MS Program Review

Stevens-Henager College

1444 South Entertainment Avenue

Boise, Idaho 83709

Stevens-Henager College is located at 1444 South Entertainment Avenue,
Boise, Idaho 83709. This private, for-profit college has its headquarters in Ogden, Utah. There are five campuses in Idaho and Utah. The college was established in 1891 as a business college, and today, the college offers both online and campus-based programs. Associates, bachelors, and masters degree program are offered at the college. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with concentrations in Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration is offered at Stevens-Henager College. Students who are interested in this program should contact the college to meet with a financial planner who will help them arrange financial aid to pay for their tuition. Candidates must also meet with an admissions consultant for one-on-one career planning to develop a curriculum for the masters program in nursing that they choose. Applicants must also meet with the Director of Admissions before their acceptance into the program is finalized.

The college’s Nursing Administration Master of Science (MS) program requires only 15 months to complete. It is offered fully online and provides training for the Registered Nurse in management, legal issues, and other aspects of nurse leadership. Graduates are prepared to fill advanced nursing positions managing nursing personnel in a variety of healthcare settings. A bachelors degree in nursing is required to enter this program. A MS program with a concentration in Nursing Education is also available at the college in a completely online format. It takes only 15 months to complete the program. Students receive training in planning and evaluating nursing curriculum as preparation for teaching nursing students at the undergraduate level. Admission requirements for this concentration are the same as for the Nursing Administration concentration.