School of Nursing
| Nursing, B.S. - Traditional | Degree | B.S. |
| Nursing, B.S. - Accelerated | Degree | B.S. |
| Nursing, B.S. - B.S. Completion | Degree | B.S. |
Baccalaureate Program
The undergraduate nursing program at Idaho State University is a four-year professional program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing. All of the School of Nursing baccalaureate programs are fully accredited nationally by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Idaho State Board of Nursing. The aim of the School of Nursing is to prepare graduates to function as professional registered nurses in a variety of health care settings. Students are provided an opportunity to learn and to practice nursing in learning laboratories and in a variety of settings where people need nursing care. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The undergraduate program serves as a foundation for graduate study. Applications and other materials for the School of Nursing are available on the Idaho State University School of Nursing website at http://www.isu.edu/nursing.
Program Outcomes
Completion of the undergraduate program provides the graduate with the abilities to:
· Integrate theories and concepts from liberal education into generalist nursing practice.
· Apply critical thinking and clinical decision-making through the nursing process to facilitate healing, treat human responses, and alleviate suffering through compassionate presence.
· Communicate effectively with individuals, families, diverse communities, and other interprofessional team members using a variety of verbal and written approaches to optimize health outcomes.
· Facilitate a culture of inquiry, analyze health data and research findings, and utilize informatics through interprofessional collaboration to deliver high-quality care.
· Integrate knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments to influence change in the healthcare system and improve the health of diverse populations.
· Engage in ethical and professional practice to promote health equity, collaboration, and inclusive excellence by advocating for individuals, families, and diverse populations in recognition of the connections of all humanity.
· Lead and promote high-quality, safe, ethical, evidence-based practice that is culturally intelligent, holistic, and person-centered.
Traditional Baccalaureate Program
The Traditional Baccalaureate Degree is well-suited to the student seeking a first degree in nursing. The Traditional program provides learning opportunities for undergraduate students in a variety of classroom and clinical settings that prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to secure licensure as a professional registered nurse. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in nursing from Idaho State University requires students to earn 120 credits that are completed over a minimum of four years. Students take general education and nursing prerequisite courses their first two years at the university.
Fifty (50) students are admitted in the spring cohort and fifty (50) students are admitted in the fall cohort every year. This dual application process assures students will have access to smaller class sizes and greater opportunity to participate in clinical experiences. Please see the School of Nursing website at http://www.isu.edu/nursing/programs/traditional-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/ for details.
SPRING COHORT: The spring cohort consists of students who make application in the fall and are admitted in the spring. The students complete their application in the fall of their junior year and begin nursing classes in the spring semester of their junior year. The students who are admitted in the spring cohort will complete four semesters (spring, fall, spring, fall). For the spring cohort admission cycle, all application materials, including official transcripts of all courses completed at universities other than Idaho State University, and a $50 non-refundable application fee, must be submitted to the School of Nursing in early October. The spring cohort will be notified if they have been accepted to the program by late October.
FALL COHORT: The fall cohort consists of students who make application in the spring and are admitted in the fall. The students complete their application in the spring of their sophomore year and begin nursing classes in the fall semester of their junior year. The students who are admitted in the fall cohort will complete the program in four semesters (fall, spring, fall, spring). For the fall cohort admission cycle, all application materials, including official transcripts of all courses completed at universities other than Idaho State University, and a $50 non-refundable application fee, must be submitted to the School of Nursing in mid March. The fall cohort will be notified if they have been accepted to the program by mid April.
Application Process
Traditional Program Applicants will be required to submit an application that includes documentation of completion of:
a. Set A prerequisite courses (completed)
b. Set B prerequisite courses (completed or in progress)
c. Unofficial transcripts of courses taken at other colleges or universities
d. Any approved petitions completed for the School of Nursing
e. Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Please see the School of Nursing website for details on the application process.
Selection Process
Applicant ranking and selection is based upon various factors, including but not limited to GPA in past coursework.
For Traditional Program Applicants:
a. GPA of Set A prerequisite courses
b. Score of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
Alternate Status
An alternate admission list is implemented when more students meeting the admission criteria have applied than can be accommodated in the space available. If space becomes available to accommodate additional eligible students, the alternate list will be activated. Alternate status is recognized only in the semester of application.
Reapplication
Students who are not admitted to the semester for which they initially apply may reapply in the next application cycle and will be reviewed for admission with the new group of applicants.
All students reapplying to the Baccalaureate nursing program must meet the current admission criteria such as minimum GPA for nursing prerequisites, completion of prerequisite courses, and any other current criteria in order to be eligible for admission. Re-applicants will be subject to the same admission criteria and consideration as an initial applicant. Students who are reapplying must follow all steps detailed in the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
Additional Considerations for Nursing Programs
a) All students must first be admitted to the University. Criteria for admission may be obtained from the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
b) Students may request through the petition process that prerequisite and requisite courses taken at another institution be accepted for comparable courses at Idaho State University. University credit and graduation requirements must be met.
Progression Requirements
- Students must be accepted into the nursing program to complete the 4 semesters of nursing courses for the Traditional program.
- Students must complete all nursing courses in the prescribed program sequence.
- Students must complete all university courses required for the Major in Nursing and all Nursing courses with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better.
Accelerated Program
This is an accelerated program appropriate for those who have already obtained a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing. Students complete required courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and upon graduation are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Accelerated Program accepts students in four locations; Meridian, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Coeur d'Alene IDaho. There are limited seats in each location. The application process is the same for all locations. Students are encouraged to identify first and second choice locations during the application process.
Students apply for admission to the Accelerated program beginning in late fall. Those students admitted will be notified in early spring and begin the program in the summer semester. Students complete the accelerated program in three (3) consecutive semesters (including summer session). For all details regarding the Accelerated program, see http://www.isu.edu/nursing/programs/accelerated-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/.
All application materials, including official transcripts of all courses completed at universities other than Idaho State University, and a $50 non-refundable application fee, must be submitted to the School of Nursing by early February to ensure consideration for summer enrollment. Applicants will be notified of the results of the review process by early March.
Application Process
Accelerated Program Applicants will be required to submit an application that includes documentation of completion of:
a. Set A prerequisite courses (completed)
b. Set B prerequisite courses (completed or in progress)
c. Documentation of a previous baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing
d. Unofficial transcripts of courses taken at other colleges or universities
e. Any approved petitions completed for the School of Nursing
f. Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
g. Applicants to the Accelerated program may be contacted for a personal interview
Please see the School of Nursing website for details on the application process.
Selection Process
Applicant ranking and selection is based upon various factors, including but not limited to GPA in past coursework.
For Accelerated Program Applicants:
a. GPA of Set A prerequisite courses
b. Score of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
c. Personal interview may be required
Alternate Status
An alternate admission list is implemented when more students meeting the admission criteria have applied than can be accommodated in the space available. If space becomes available to accommodate additional eligible students, the alternate list will be activated. Alternate status is recognized only for the semester of application.
Reapplication
Students who are not admitted to the semester for which they initially apply may reapply in the next application cycle and will be reviewed for admission with the new group of applicants.
All students reapplying to the Baccalaureate program must meet the current admission criteria such as minimum GPA for nursing prerequisites, completion of prerequisite courses, and any other current criteria in order to be eligible for admission. Re-applicants will be subject to the same admission criteria and considered as an initial applicant. Students who are reapplying must follow all steps detailed in the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
Additional Considerations for Nursing Programs:
a) All students must first be admitted to the university. Criteria for admission may be obtained from the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
b) Students may request through the petition process that prerequisite and requisite courses taken at another institution be accepted for comparable courses at Idaho State University. University credit and graduation requirements must be met.
Progression requirements:
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Students apply to the Accelerated BSN-RN program in fall semester (admitted in spring semester) for summer semester start in any year.
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Students must be accepted into the nursing program to complete the 3 semesters for the Accelerated program.
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Students must complete the nursing courses in the prescribed program sequence.
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Students must complete all university courses required for the Major in Nursing and all Nursing courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing Degree Completion Program
This is a program is for individuals who have completed a prelicensure nursing program of study, have successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and have a desire to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Dual enrollment in this program and an associates degree program pre-licensure is available in special circumstance, please consult the nursing advisor for details.
Application Process
BS Completion Program Applicants should make application to the School of Nursing when they have completed their associate degree program . Students who are interested in the BS Completion Program should contact the School of Nursing Academic Advisor as soon as possible when their decision is made. The Academic Advisor will assist the student with developing a plan of study to complete prerequisite or co-requisite courses, petitions, and ensure transcripts are on record. A unique plan of study will be developed for each BS Completion Student. NURS 4400 Experiential Learning Equivalency for BS Completion Students and NURS 4491 Independent Study credit must be pre-approved by an ISU School of Nursing advisor prior to completion of learning requirements, and outcomes documented. An initial petition of intent to complete teaching/learning activities in NURS 4400 is required, and must be approved through the School of Nursing and university Prior Learning Assessment Office (PLA) before starting any such learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to work closely with the assigned advisor for completion of degree requirements.
Student will be required to submit an application that includes documentation of completion of:
a. Prerequisite courses, completed and in progress;
b. Documentation of a previous associate degree in Nursing (or degree in process);
c. Unofficial transcripts of courses taken at other colleges or universities; and
d. Any approved petitions completed for the School of Nursing.
Alternate Status
An alternate admission list is implemented when more students meeting the admission criteria have applied than can be accommodated in the space available. If space becomes available to accommodate additional eligible students, the alternate list will be activated. Alternate status is recognized only for the semester of application.
Reapplication
Students who are not admitted to the semester for which they initially apply may reapply in the next application cycle and will be reviewed for admission with the new group of applicants.
All students reapplying to the Baccalaureate program must meet the current admission criteria such as minimum GPA for nursing prerequisites, completion of prerequisite courses, and any other current criteria in order to be eligible for admission. Re-applicants will be subject to the same admission criteria as an initial applicant. Students who are reapplying must follow all steps detailed in the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
Additional Considerations for Nursing Programs
a) All students must first be admitted to the University. Criteria for admission may be obtained from the School of Nursing website (http://www.isu.edu/nursing/).
b. Students may request through the petition process that prerequisite and requisite courses taken at another institution be accepted for comparable courses at Idaho State University. University credit and graduation requirements must be met.
Progression requirements:
- Student must be admitted to the BS Completion program prior to enrolling in any NURS prefix course.
- All documentation as required by the School of Nursing (i.e. immunization history, background check, etc.) must be on file prior to or in process of enrollment in the BS completion program and updated annually. Professional fees apply each semester; the student is encouraged to work closely with advisor to support timely and doable progression.
- An individualized plan of study will be developed for each BS Completion student.
- NURS 4220 cannot be completed until the student has passed the nursing licensure exam and received their registered nurse license.
- All students must meet University degree requirements including General Education, upper-division, and resident credit.
Graduation
Each senior student must contact the graduation clerk in the semester preceding graduation. The student’s academic record will be formally reviewed for completion of specified course work and university requirements. The School of Nursing formally reviews the transcripts of senior students for completion of departmental requirements. Students may be dismissed from the nursing program for academic reasons that include but are not limited to:
1) Students who receive a course grade below a “C” (2.0) and/or
2) Students with a cumulative grade point average below a “C” (2.0).
Students will not be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination if they do not meet all of the university and School of Nursing requirements for graduation.
Expenses
Students in the School of Nursing will incur certain expenses such as the cost of transportation for learning experiences, clinical apparel, and lab fees in addition to the student expenses listed by the University. A professional fee is charged each semester while enrolled in the BS degree program with a major in Nursing. For the Traditional and Accelerated programs the professional fee is charged regardless of the number of courses or credit hours a student takes in a semester. A part-time professional fee is assessed for students enrolled in the BS Completion program each semester.
Financial Assistance
In addition to the financial aid available to all university students, other scholarships, awards opportunities, and funds may be available to nursing students. For information about financial assistance, contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship offices. Students can apply for nursing specific scholarships awarded through the School of Nursing following admission to any program.
Graduate Program
The School of Nursing offers nursing graduate programs including Master of Science, PhD, and DNP (PMHNP and FNP options). See the Graduate Catalog for information.