Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Idaho (ID)

Yes. Most of Idaho’s RN to BSN programs are offered with all coursework delivered entirely online. You’ll also find that many programs use an asynchronous model, allowing you to complete your assignments and learning whenever it’s convenient.

As with any accredited RN to BSN program, a hands-on component is still required. Most schools in Idaho replace traditional clinical hours with a community health or leadership project that is completed in the student’s home area. In most cases, schools require zero campus visits for the program’s duration.

Idaho is one of the most affordable states in the country for an online RN to BSN. Multiple programs can be completed for around $10,000, which is less than a single semester of study at other institutions. In addition, several Idaho universities charge the same tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students, making these programs accessible to students living elsewhere in the U.S.

Generally, you should plan on taking at least a year to complete your RN to BSN. That said, Idaho has several programs that help students earn their degree even faster through concurrent ADN enrollment or accelerated course periods.

However, this pace might not be realistic for working RNs. If you still have a full-time nursing job, you’ll likely need to take on a lighter courseload. This could stretch your RN to BSN timeline to around 18 to 24 months.

Across Idaho’s RN to BSN programs, admissions requirements are relatively light compared to programs in other states. You’ll need to have either your ADN or an equivalent nursing diploma, as well as an active, unencumbered RN license at a minimum. Some schools allow you to start the program without the latter while you work on passing the NCLEX.

Beyond this, specific prerequisite coursework varies by school, so it’s worth contacting an admissions representative to review your transcripts before applying.

For most working RNs, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for RNs in the U.S. is $93,600 per year. However, BSN-prepared nurses often make between $10,000 to $20,000 more than their ADN counterparts.

Boise is among the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, and hospital systems there are increasingly competing for BSN-prepared nurses to fill expanding units. There are also opportunities in rural areas, which always need greater access to healthcare.

A BSN also opens the door to graduate-level nursing programs like the MSN or DNP, which can be found close to home at many of Idaho’s universities.