Overview of Nurse Practitioner Programs in Idaho
In rural states like Idaho, primary care access is a major issue for many residents. If you want to do your part to combat this issue, look into becoming a nurse practitioner. If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may be able to advance your education and become an NP. Use the resources on this page to delve into educational requirements and career paths. Ready to start your school search? Check out the easy-to-use search box above or learn more about featured nurse practitioner programs in Idaho below.
Few industries have seen as much change as healthcare in recent years. In every state, thousands of people are taking advantage of new insurance requirements and obtaining affordable healthcare coverage. As a result, demand for primary and acute care providers has increased across the country. With experience, nursing education, and a passion for patient care, you may be a great fit for nurse practitioner programs in Idaho. Keep reading to learn more!
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Idaho?
There are Master’s-level and doctoral-level programs to consider, so it’s important to weigh your options and select a school that aligns with your career goals.
Average Master’s Degree Requirements
- Credit hours required: 30 to 40 credits
- Average cost: $7,700 per semester
- Clinical hours required: At least 500 clinical hours
- Timeframe: 2 to 3 years
Average Doctoral Requirements
- Credit hours required: Up to 90 credits
- Clinical hours required: At least 1,000 clinical hours
- Timeframe: Up to 5 years
Are you ready to find out what it takes to become a nurse practitioner? Keep reading to learn more or request information from one of our featured schools, listed above.
Nurse Practitioner Program Types Available in Idaho
In Idaho, there are several options for nurse practitioner schooling. Your options depend on how much experience you have, your previous academic performance, and the population you want to work with. Most programs require a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, but RN-to-MSN programs allow Associate’s degree graduates to complete undergraduate and graduate requirements in the same degree program.
To find the right school for you, you must consider your ideal patient population. The area of focus you choose determines how you’ll spend your workdays. Options in Idaho include family nurse practitioner programs, adult-gerontology programs, and psychiatric-mental health programs.
Programs tend to be structured in the same way across different schools. Graduate and doctoral students complete a core set of nursing courses before moving on to patient-specific courses. At both stages, there are extensive clinical requirements to meet. You should plan on completing far more clinical hours as a doctoral student than as a graduate student. Explore commonly required courses below.
Nurse Practitioner Degree Courses
- Advanced Evidence Application
- Human Pathophysiology
- Informational Technology in Healthcare
- Rural and Global Communities in Healthcare
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Health Policy
- Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nurses
- Statistical Analysis in Evidence-Based Practice
- Primary Care of Child and Adolescent Patients
- Primary Care of the Older Adult
Each program operates under a set of learning outcomes and goals. To thrive at any given school, you should meet or exceed these expectations. Common learning outcomes include developing interprofessional leadership skills, understanding healthcare needs in rural areas, offering evidence-based care, and serving as an advocate for healthcare policy.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for NP Schools in Idaho
As an Iowa student, you have access to a variety of scholarship and grant programs that benefit advanced nursing students. After being accepted to a local program, explore financial aid options.
Funding options in Idaho:
- BestNursingDegree.com Scholarships: Through our website, we award scholarships of $2500 four times per year. Check the current application cycle to see if you qualify.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: This federal program requires selected applicants to work in a Health Professional Shortage Area for two years after graduation. In exchange, applicants receive a sizable scholarship.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: This program pays back student loans instead of offering scholarships. There is still a commitment of two years that must be completed at an NHSC-approved site. Up to $50,000 of loans are repaid.
- NPI Scholarships: This Idaho-specific scholarship is awarded each academic year. A total award of $5000 is split between a Master’s degree student and a doctoral student.
Licensing and Practice Requirements for NPs in Idaho
You likely already understand the importance of licensing in nursing, due to your role as a registered nurse. Through the State of Idaho Board of Nursing, maintain your registered nursing license throughout your career. You may obtain nurse practitioner licensure by submitting proof of your graduate degree and earning national certification in your intended area of practice. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, care providers in Idaho enjoy full freedom of practice.
Nurse Practitioner Careers in Idaho
You have many career options to consider upon completing your nurse practitioner education. You may accept employment on a full-time or part-time basis at a clinic or hospital, an option that gives you the chance to build a client base and develop a history of positive patient outcomes. Some nurse practitioners choose to open their own clinics. This option balances business management with healthcare services. The route you choose influences your job outlook and income potential. On average, Idaho nurse practitioners earn $94,570 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for nurse practitioners are expected to increase 30% (O*Net, 2016).
Consider maintaining any nurse organization memberships you already have, in addition to joining groups for nurse practitioners. Nurse Practitioners Idaho is an excellent professional resource for aspiring and licensed nurse practitioners. You may learn about legislative changes, job openings, and training events as a member.
Nurse practitioners play a crucial role in Idaho healthcare. They save organizations, insurance companies, and patients a considerable amount of money while providing many of the same services as physicians.
NP programs for Idaho nurses include:
- Idaho State University. Idaho State is home to Idaho’s only in-state nurse practitioner program. The school includes an “emphasis on health care policy and rural issues,” and offers a Master’s level Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs. Students can select either the full-time or part-time option. Full-time students complete the course in two years; part-time students take three. The FNP program is offered online and boasts a 100 percent pass rate on the national certification exam.
- Georgetown University. Though located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University offers two online NP programs that are accessible to nurses in Idaho. Students can select either a Family Nurse Practitioner program or the Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner program. Classes are web-based, and Georgetown faculty work with students to arrange clinical experiences close to home.
- Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing is physically located in Kentucky, but the school, a leader in distance education, has long helped graduates become nursing leaders within their home communities. Frontier offers a Master-level Community-based Family Nurse Practitioner program that provides a strong emphasis on the business of primary care. The school also offers a DNP-level Family Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner programs.
