Finding the Best Nursing Program
It’s not easy to decide on a nursing program. You should think about how long the program is, what kind of school you want to attend, the current job market, and whether or not the school is accredited.
Table of Contents
On average, LPN training in Idaho takes 12 months
LPNs play a crucial role in the medical system. For a reasonable price, they provide excellent care to those in need. Their contributions, especially in healthcare settings like nursing homes and home care, are invaluable to the community at large. LPNs are becoming increasingly in demand. There are about 2,870 licensed practical nurses in Idaho. It is anticipated that this figure will rise during the following decade.
Idaho Accredited Nursing Programs
Successful completion of an accredited nursing program and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses are requirements for obtaining an LPN license in Idaho. Idaho participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which streamlines the process of transferring LPN licenses from other compact states. According to projections made in the Nursing Overview by the Idaho Department of Labor, the supply of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) will exceed the demand in numerous geographic areas.
LPNs in the state of Idaho perform a variety of nursing duties, including those related to patient care, office management, and clinical practice. Night shifts, weekend shifts, and evening shifts are all possible for them to work. There are a few healthcare providers in the area that offer attractive benefits packages, including sign-on incentives and paid vacation. In addition, they offer financial aid and tuition reimbursement to program participants.
The average salary of a licensed practical nurse in Idaho is $39,430 per year. Extra time is worth an average of $7,750 each year. LPNs not only make a good salary, but also have the option to work flexible schedules, including nights and weekends.
Need For Nurses In Idaho
The southwest part of Idaho is home to a sizable population, and it is in this area that the need for nurses is expected to increase rapidly. Registered nurses in Idaho are united in their dedication to serving those who are sick or injured. Licensed practical nurses can be found in a variety of settings, including private homes, assisted living facilities, and medical facilities. In addition, they will be subjected to a drug test and a background check. License applicants are required to submit an affidavit verifying their completion of a nursing program recognized by the state, as well as a fingerprint card for a background investigation.
LPN training and licensing in Idaho are governed by the state’s Board of Nursing. You may get all the information you need to get started with licensing from its in-depth website. Moreover, it manages a database of accredited LPN training programs.
Degrees For Licensed Practitioners
Licensed practical nurse training programs in Idaho typically last around 12 months. Depending on your schedule, you can either study full-time or study part-time to graduate. Students who enroll full-time have the opportunity to graduate with a certificate or diploma. The total cost of the program is not fixed and will change based on the chosen major and the number of required courses. Scholarships and grants are other possible sources of funding.
Textbooks and clinical supplies are not free, and students may also have to cover transportation costs to and from clinical sites. To those who qualify, a healthcare provider in the area may pay some or all of their employees’ college expenses. It’s crucial to find a course of study that will provide you with the knowledge and experience you need to launch a successful career change.
Idaho Board of Nursing
The Idaho Board of Nursing has given its stamp of approval to the College of Southern Idaho’s Practical Nursing program. To help students prepare for and succeed on the NCLEX-PN exam, this program covers a wide range of topics. Classroom theory is supplemented with practical, clinical training. Basic nursing skills, including patient care and nutrition, will be covered in this course.
In some cases, Idaho might accept students from nursing programs that have been accredited.
The quality of the nursing program you choose matters, but so does the school’s accreditation status in Idaho. As a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), Idaho allows nurses with valid licenses from their home state to work in any of the other NLC member states. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and a background check are prerequisites for applying for a nursing license.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing -BSN
A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, an Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) in Practical Nursing, and a Nursing Assistant Certificate are just some of the options available at some of Idaho’s top nursing schools. There are also specialized programs that may be available to you, such as an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) program or a bridge degree program for LPNs to become RNs. Finding nursing courses online is a terrific method to further your education and get ahead in your chosen field.
You should think about tuition prices while looking for the top Idaho nursing school. The annual cost of a decent program could be $4,000.50 to $5,000.00. As an added bonus, you may wish to inquire as to whether or not your university provides a clinical placement program to help you gain practical experience prior to graduation. Help with creating a résumé and practicing successful interview techniques are only two examples of what online students of a quality institution should have access to.
A good strategy to cut costs is to enroll in a nursing school that charges a nominal fee for its curriculum. Idaho has one of the fastest-growing nursing professions in the United States. You may be able to get work as a nurse in any hospital in the state of Idaho due to the rising demand for healthcare workers in this field. There will be a greater number of openings for registered nurses as the nursing workforce expands.
A nurse can now have a license in Idaho and any other NLC state thanks to a provision passed by the Idaho legislature. Even if a nurse is not currently working for a hospital or clinic, she or he may still be able to practice independently in the community.
The best Idaho nursing schools may also provide a selection of programs, such as a bridge degree program for LPNs interested in becoming RNs. Nursing assistant programs can help you stand out from the crowd by providing you with the training and certification you need to be hired.
You should also investigate whether there is an online program offered by visiting the school’s website. If you want to break into the healthcare industry, having a qualification as a nursing assistant is a great place to start.
Idaho’s Nursing Job Market
Idaho, a state in the northwest of the United States, is experiencing rapid population growth. Nevada forms its southern boundary, and Washington state forms its western. With a cost of living index of 91.2, this is one of the most inexpensive states in the country. Compared to the rest of the country, the cost of living in this state is 8.8 percent lower.
The healthcare sector in Idaho is experiencing a severe shortage of workers. The demand for hospitals to provide home health care services keeps rising in tandem with the population. The need for medical treatment is rising in part because of the growing population that lacks health insurance. With the added pressure of working in an understaffed healthcare system, nurse burnout is becoming increasingly common.
Idaho’s Growing Need For Nurses
Jobs in Idaho’s nursing sector are diverse and promising. A registered nurse may find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals and clinics, as well as private homes. Nurse educators are another career option for them. The salary is good at many of these companies. Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree have a median annual pay of $94,040, compared to $60,320 for those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A variety of sub-fields are also expanding. Teachers at universities and colleges fall into this category.
It’s true that nurses in Idaho can expect a greater wage than their counterparts in most other states. The cutthroat nature of the industry is to blame for this phenomenon. More retirees mean more need for nurses, which is bad news for the nursing profession. The number of patients covered by health insurance is growing, which in turn raises the need for qualified RNs.
Increasing Job Availability
According to a recent poll of Idaho’s RNs, the state is experiencing a much quicker rate of job opening growth for nurses than the national average of 14.8 percent. Therefore, it is expected that Idaho will gain 4,660 RNs over the next seven years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 29.4 percent increase in nursing jobs in Idaho between 2016 and 2031. That’s a lot greater than the average of 14.8% across the country. There will be an expected 1,150 new jobs each year for registered nurses in Idaho between the years of 2026 and 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is in contrast to the predicted national employment of 203,700.
The Idaho market for nurse practitioners is also worth keeping an eye on. From 560 in 2012 to 720 in 2022, the number of nurse practitioners in the state more than doubled. This is a very large growth rate. The demand for nurse practitioners is predicted to increase by 30% in Idaho over the next decade. In addition, RNs have one of the highest median salaries in the state of Idaho.
Registered nurses work in more than just these three areas of medicine. More than twenty percent expansion is predicted for nursing professors and college and university lecturers.