Nursing remains a fast growing profession throughout the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics program, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent in the coming years. Employers in some parts of the country are already reporting difficulty in attracting and retaining RNs. Registered nurses in Idaho made and average of $62,720 annually in 2010 with 80 percent of RNs making between $44,060 and $86,690.
The first step to becoming a registered nurse is to satisfy the educational requirements. The minimum educational requirement is a diploma or associate degree in nursing (ADN). These programs typically take between 2 and 3 years to complete and qualify registered nurses to be licensed by the State of Idaho. RN educational requirements can also be satisfied by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at an accredited university. BSN programs typically consist of 4 years of undergraduate-level course work. A BSN program may be a better option for individuals interested in obtaining either clinical or administrative nursing positions.
A nursing student will want to verify that the school or program they have selected is approved by the State of Idaho Board of Nursing prior to enrollment. Boise State University, Idaho State University-Pocatello, and BYU-Idaho in Rexburg all offer both ADN and BSN degrees that can lead to a career as a registered nurse. A full list of RN programs can be found on this page, organized by program type.
Registered nurses who work in a hospital or healthcare institution in the state of Idaho must be officially licensed. In order to obtain an RN license, a candidate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). NCLEX-RN examinations are designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed registered nurse. NCLEX-RN exams are currently offered in a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format and administered by Pearson VUE. Questions may be asked in a multiple choice, fill in the blank, or other broader format such as selecting the correct answer(s) out of a group of choices.
Once you have completed your educational requirements and are ready to take the NCLEX-RN, you should first contact the board of nursing where you are seeking licensure for specific licensing requirements. Application information related to Idaho nurse licensure by examination is available by contacting the State of Idaho Board of Nursing by email or by telephone at 208-334-3110.
1. Find and graduate from a board approved diploma, ADN, or BSN program.
2. Apply to take and pass the NCLEX-RN examination.
3. Enjoy your new career as a registered nurse in Idaho!
See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of Idaho. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure nursing programs that meet the registered nursing education requirements set forth by the Idaho Board of Nursing (IBN). The IBN is responsible for making sure that each nursing program provides satisfactory education to prepare students to become licensed registered nurses. Before receiving a nursing license the graduating student will need to challenge the NCLEX-RN exam in the state of Idaho and pass the test.