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Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID 83209

Idaho State University was founded in 1901 and now offers more than 250 programs across several campuses. It is a research university with a major focus on health sciences. Students from various health-related professional programs regularly complete their clinical work at the ISU Health Center, which treats over 10,000 students each year. The ISU Career Path Internship (CPI) program also provides paid internships to help students earn professional experience while in school. The university maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio with just 14 students per faculty member.

The ISU College of Nursing offers many options for those interested in nursing. Along with a traditional BSN program, they offer several BSN paths including LPN to BSN and RN to BSN. They even offer an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). ISU is the only university in the state to offer a doctoral degree in nursing and they have two doctoral level programs. All programs, from the ADN to the doctoral programs, are accredited. The graduate programs are accredited through the CCNE while the associate degree program is accredited through the ACEN. These programs combine in-classroom learning and online learning, providing more flexibility to students. The clinical experiences are provided by both state-of-the-art simulation labs and hands-on work at off-campus hospitals and health facilities.

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Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

  • 3 semesters; degree awarded one year after program admission
  • Summer cohort start, typically second week of May
  • Delivery: combination of classroom and online coursework, plus simulation and clinical experiences
  • Campuses: Meridian, Pocatello, Twins Falls, and ISU at Kootenai Health (Coeur d'Alene)
  • Students must reside within daily commuting distance of admitted campus

Admission Requirements

  • Earned bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) from a regionally accredited institution prior to program start
  • Completion of all Set A prerequisites with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at time of application
  • Set B prerequisites completed or in progress before program start; combined Set A + Set B GPA of 3.0 required at program start
  • Mandatory School of Nursing advising appointment to confirm eligibility before applying
  • Admission to Idaho State University required prior to School of Nursing application (ISU application fee $50.00)

Entrance Exams

  • ATI TEAS (7th edition) required
  • Minimum TEAS Total Score: 60%
  • TEAS may be taken at ISU testing centers or approved ATI locations; highest TEAS Total Score accepted

Prerequisites

  • Set A (must be completed before applying; all grades C or higher):
    • Introductory Microbiology with Lab (BIOL 2233 & 2233L) — 4 credits
    • Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (BIOL 2227 & 2227L or BIOL 3301 & 3301L) — 4 credits
    • Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (BIOL 2228 & 2228L or BIOL 3302 & 3302L) — 4 credits
    • Introduction to General Chemistry (CHEM 1101 or CHEM 1111 & 1111L) — 3–5 credits
    • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1101) — 3 credits
    • Child Development (PSYC 2225) — 3 credits
    • Cultural Diversity course (Objective 9) — 3 credits
  • Set B (must be completed before program start; all grades C or higher):
    • Introduction to Pathobiology (BIOL 2229 or BIOL 3306) — 3 credits
    • Nutrition for Health Professionals (NTD 3340) — 3 credits
    • Introduction to Information Research (LLIB 1115) — 3 credits
    • Medical Ethics (PHIL 2230) — 3 credits
    • Statistical Reasoning (MATH 1153) — 3 credits
    • Pharmacology for Nursing (DHS 3315) — 3 credits
  • Pathobiology and Pharmacology must be completed within 3 years of application date
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed with grade C (2.0) or higher

Deadlines

  • Accelerated application opens annually at 8:00 a.m. on November 15
  • Application closes annually at 5:00 p.m. on February 15
  • Admission decisions emailed in early March
  • Program start: Summer semester, around second week in May
  • Course petition approvals must be received at least 15 days prior to application closing date

Application

  • Requirements to begin School of Nursing application:
    • Admission to Idaho State University and submission of official transcripts
    • School of Nursing advising appointment to confirm eligibility; advisor provides enrollment key for ISU Community Canvas application
    • Completion of ATI TEAS with minimum 60% Total Score
  • Course petition submission (if applicable) via DocuSign; include petition form, course description or syllabus, and unofficial transcript for pre-approval
  • Post-acceptance requirements: physical exam, current immunizations, criminal history evaluation, American Heart Association CPR certification

Selection Process

  • Application scoring: Set A GPA = 65% of application score; TEAS Total Score = 35% of application score
  • Offers of acceptance based on applicant score and campus preference (Meridian, Pocatello, Twins Falls, Kootenai)
  • Applicants must meet all prerequisite and GPA requirements at time points specified (Set A at application; combined Set A+Set B at program start)
  • Admission decisions communicated by email

Cost & Financial Aid

  • School of Nursing professional fee assessed for all undergraduate and graduate nursing students (amount posted on School/University websites)
  • School of Nursing awards over $100,000 in scholarships annually; School of Nursing scholarship application available annually in April
  • Nurse Corps Scholarship (HRSA) listed as available; award amount varies and has federal eligibility criteria
  • CampusRN scholarship fund: $15,000 available to nursing and allied health students
  • Tuition and ISU fee schedules posted on ISU Finance and Administration website

Clinical & Simulation Lab

  • Simulation and clinical experiences included throughout the state
  • Clinical placements primarily at local hospitals near campuses; some placements up to 200 miles from assigned campus
  • Transportation and lodging costs for distant clinical placements are the student’s responsibility
  • Simulation laboratory activities integrated with coursework and clinical practica

Credit Transfer

  • School of Nursing Course Petition process for transfer or substitution:
    • Submit a completed petition form, course description or syllabus, and transcript evidence
    • Typical review time: 2–3 weeks
    • Approved petition indicates course meets nursing requirement but may not appear as ISU equivalency on transcript until Registrar update by advisor

International Students

  • International applicants should consult the ISU International Programs Office for admissions and credit transfer evaluations
  • Once admitted to ISU, School of Nursing Academic Advisor will assist with preparation for nursing program requirements

Contacts

  • Erin Mortimer, Academic Advisor, Office: Pocatello
  • School of Nursing advising email: [email protected]
  • Idaho State University main contact: (208) 282-4636; address: 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209
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NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Idaho State University NCLEX-RN chart

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates

Idaho State University NCLEX-PN chart

Accreditations

Nursing Programs Accreditations

  • Nursing (ADNUR) - Associate degree programs Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
  • Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Institutional Accreditations

  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Idaho State University
921 S 8th Ave Pocatello, ID 83209 School website