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RN to MSN Programs in Idaho

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Online RN to MSN Programs in Idaho

Northwest Nazarene University has stepped up to the plate and developed an online RN to MSN pathway. We give it full coverage in our school listings, but here’s a short summary of the key points.

  • Northwest Nazarene University: NNU’s online program is cohort-based—students work in an interactive learning environment and get to know their group. The RN to MSN in Leadership & Education is 100% online, with 5-week classes and internship experiences that take place in a variety of settings. The RN to MSN FNP is more of a hybrid affair—online classes are 5-15 weeks long and there are 4 one-week residencies with labs that are held in Nampa. NNU is part of NC-SARA, but out-of-state residents should check NNU’s page on State Authorization before applying. FNP students will also need to make sure NNU’s program meets their state licensure requirements.

If you’d like more choice, have a look at our page on Online RN to MSN Programs. It contains a full listing of distance learning programs in every state.

Idaho’s Healthcare Landscape

Idaho faces a number of healthcare challenges that are tied to its rugged and rural character. For example:

  • People need care. In America’s Health Rankings, Idaho is often cited as having a high percentage of uninsured residents and a lower than average rate of primary care physicians and mental healthcare providers. In the 2018 U.S. Rural Health Report Card, the state received an “F” for its uninsured rate.
  • Access is an issue. The Commonwealth Fund’s Scorecard on State Health System Performance also pings for Idaho for low rankings in Access & Affordability and Prevention & Treatment. There simply aren’t that many hospitals and major medical centers in the state.
  • Mental health is a major cause of concern. Data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics show high rates of suicide (e.g. top 5 in the nation) and firearm deaths. Suicide is frequently one of the bottom ranked indicators for Idaho in the Commonwealth Fund’s Scorecard.

Fortunately, in 2018, Idaho voters passed Proposition Two to expand Medicaid and provide coverage to individuals with an annual household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Expansion may be messy, but it should go some way to improving insurance coverage. Premiums have been rising rapidly, which has led to drop-outs, so the state is also working with federal authorities on the possibility of lower-cost health insurance plans for younger and healthier residents.

Healthcare experts are also aware of the mental health crisis. Idaho has been in the process of opening behavioral health crisis centers in regional areas, including the Western Idaho Community Crisis Center in Caldwell and the Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center in Pocatello (both were opened in 2019). Even so, these centers can still be a long way from rural homes and they’re usually full to capacity.

Idaho Nursing Challenges & Opportunities

If you talk to RNs and APRNs in Idaho, they won’t be surprised by these issues. They may also tell you that Idaho needs to address a staffing shortage before it can really start to see progress. In its Nursing Workforce Biennial Report for 2018, the Idaho Alliance of Leaders in Nursing noted that 76% of Idaho hospitals had at least one vacant nursing job for the entire year and 83% of hospitals were expecting the problem to worsen.

Rural areas are feeling the brunt of it (check out the maps of HPSAs and Medically Underserved Areas). Almost half of Idaho’s RNs and Nurse Practitioners are based in the Boise area. In contrast, places like Pocatello may only have 8% of the state’s NPs. There aren’t enough primary care physicians in the state and the problem only gets worse outside of cities. Initiatives such as telehealth and digital delivery systems could help, but they will require funding and advocacy to get off the ground.

In short, aspiring Idaho APRNs should find plenty of places where they can make a real difference, especially in the realms of mental health, primary care, and healthcare access. FNPs who are willing to work or travel to rural areas could be particularly welcome. Nurse leaders & executives in hospitals may also find that they’re involved in nursing recruitment drives and technology-driven initiatives that address an expansion of care.

Jobs for Idaho RN to MSN Graduates

Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates

Happily, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks job & wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary on an annual basis. One look at the regional maps for Idaho will tell you a lot about the career territory for APRNs.

To start with the obvious (sorry, Idaho RNs!), Boise is the major hotspot for jobs and wages. After all, Boise is home to many schools (e.g. Boise State University, NNU, UI Boise, etc.) and two of the Best Hospitals in Idaho (St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center and St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center). Both have regional centers, pediatric units, and NICUs. However, St. Luke’s has a Level IV NICU and is also a Magnet Facility.

But you don’t have to limit your search to the “Big 2”:

  • The Southeast-Central Idaho area manages to sustain 17% of the state’s NPs and a goodly portion of its nursing instructors. Potential employers include Idaho State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and the College of Eastern Idaho.
  • Kootenai Health-Coeur d’Alene is a Magnet Facility and Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello is ranked as one of the Best Hospitals in Idaho.
  • IHA Member Hospitals are located throughout the state.

Interested in maintaining your independence? NPs have full practice authority in Idaho and are recognized as primary care providers. They’re also able to practice in other states, thanks to Idaho’s adoption of the Nurse Licensure Compact. See the Board of Nursing’s section on Licensing Information for full details.

Want to help improve rural healthcare? Idaho’s Bureau of Rural Health & Primary Care posts information on grants, loan repayment programs & scholarship resources. You may also want to attend the Idaho Critical Access Hospital (CAH) – Rural Health Clinic (RHC) – Free Medical Clinic (FMC) Annual Conference.

Career Resources for Future APRNs

Idaho Nursing Job Boards

Idaho APRN Salary & Wage Data

Idaho Nursing Organizations

State Board of Nursing

Idaho Nursing Associations & Coalitions

Idaho Nursing Specialty Organizations

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