Accelerated BSN Programs at Idaho Nursing Schools
If you’re like many graduates, you may be wondering how you can use your Bachelor’s degree to get into a better career and make your community a better place. Many students find what they are looking for in accelerated BSN programs in Idaho.
An accelerated BSN program in Idaho uses your previous coursework as credit for your general education requirements. This can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend in school. Add in a summer semester, and you may be able to complete your BSN in as little as 12 months, with an accelerated BSN program.
To find out more about which programs may meet your needs in Idaho, please look into the schools on our page, including those in the feature box, which usually offer online and distance options for your convenience. Request information from the schools that offer Accelerated BSN programs in your area, so that you have the information you need to make a well informed decision.
Accelerated BSN Curriculum in Idaho
Students interested in attending an accelerated BSN program in lieu of a traditional BSN can choose from on campus or online programs. Online classes are well-suited for students with stressful work schedules or other obligations outside of school. Campus based degree programs typically meet during the day, Monday through Friday. However, some programs do require evening or weekend hours.
Since you must complete several science courses before starting your accelerated BSN degree, you begin your nursing courses immediately upon starting the program. You learn nursing basics like pharmacology, health and nutrition, and fundamentals of nursing. These classes can prepare you for a job as a nurse in a hospital or community clinic.
Bachelor’s in Nursing programs also require you to complete courses in focused nursing environments. Nurses who want to work in labor and delivery, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics can benefit by having a BSN degree, which offers in depth teaching in regards to critical thinking and patient centered care. You will also take courses in mental health, health assessment, and nursing leadership.
After finishing your coursework, the hands-on part of nursing school starts. This part of your degree requires you to go to a local healthcare facility and practice your clinical skills in a variety of environments. You get to work in different areas of a healthcare facility in addition to working alongside other nurses. This is an essential part of learning how to care for patients, navigate the healthcare system, and develop your nursing practice.
Career Outlook for Nurses in Idaho
Once you earn your nursing license with a BSN degree, you can look for working in many different settings in Idaho. Many graduates choose to work at a hospital, but there are also nursing jobs available in clinics and nursing homes. Some of the main employers of nurses in Idaho include Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, Christus Health, Horizon Home Health and Hospice, and Saint Alphonsus Medical Group.
The need for nurses in Idaho is growing significantly faster than in the rest of the country. Registered nurses can also earn a good starting salary in the state, with the median salary of registered nurses in Idaho noted at $62,190 per year (O*Net, 2017).
Nursing Licensing Considerations in Idaho
You can become licensed as a registered nurse after taking and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. You receive your license from the Idaho State Board of Nursing. Idaho is a compact state, which means that having a nursing license from Idaho allows you to practice in other 24 other compact states, including New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kentucky.
As an RN in Idaho, you must renew your license three months before its expiration date on even-numbered years. Many nurses in Idaho choose to join the Idaho Nurses Association. This association provides updates on nursing legislation; for example, the association supports the Affordable Care Act and educates members on what it means for them. Members can have access to job postings, committee openings, and other networking opportunities.