Frequently Asked Questions

In our program, you’ll learn essential skills – like oxygenation, mobility, safe medication administration, elimination and sterility – that can be applied to a variety of nursing jobs. For specific courses and a sample schedule check out the nursing curriculum page

Nurses take a systems-level, holistic approach to healthcare. Nurses care for people and promote well-being in places like schools, occupational health, hospitals and community clinics. Their work can extend beyond the bedside to areas like research, leadership and policy advocacy. They have a wide range of knowledge about the whole person and populations; they can also specialize or pursue advanced practice (like nurse practitioners (NPs) or nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)).

Nurses aren’t the only healthcare workers caring for others. We recommend shadowing or talking with other healthcare professionals to see what career is the right fit for you. 

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Students can reapply as many times as they want, there is no penalty. Below are a few alternative options for students who did not get admitted into the nursing program:

One option for students not admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is to seek admission to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Boise State has agreements with all Idaho community colleges that allow ADN nursing students to dual enroll in the online RN-BS program at Boise State. This option allows students to work simultaneously toward an ADN and a bachelor of science nursing degree. Learn more about RN-BS Dual Enrollment.

An alternative path to complete a nursing degree is to complete a degree in another major, and then apply to an accelerated bachelor’s degree nursing program. Boise State does not offer this option, but your academic advisor can help you find a program that will meet your needs.

The program admits 100 students in the fall and 100 students in the spring.  The number of applicants averages 220 per admit cycle.

No; we evaluate candidates through a two-step admissions process that includes GPA and interviews. In order to apply, GPA needs to be above a 3.0 in Chem, Nutrition, two semesters of Anatomy, and Statistics. Your cumulative college GPA needs to be above 2.5. Preference is also given to students currently enrolled at Boise State and Idaho residents.

The average completion rate is consistently above 90%, which is above the national average.

The program is five semesters with summers off, or about 2.5 years.

No, but students can use summers to work on minors or to study abroad. (25-33% of nursing majors work on minors, but not all finish them).

Please take a look at our Transfer Equivalency System (TES). This will help you decipher which classes will transfer into Boise State. If you need further clarification, please contact a pre-nursing advisor.

You need to apply to Boise State before you apply to the nursing program. If you plan to start in the spring, then you should apply to Boise State in the previous fall. If you plan to start in the fall, then you should apply to Boise State in the previous spring. 

Once you have been admitted to Boise State, completed all of the pre-requisites, and are in courses that may be in progress upon applying, then you will apply to the program. Please see the program application deadlines.

While having these credentials will not directly impact your application, the experience gained from these areas may be helpful when answering interview questions.

Pre-nursing students are advised through the College of Health Science Advising Office. Once admitted to the Nursing program you will be assigned a nursing program advisor. 

Possibly, it depends on the License Portability laws in that state.

No. This is a general bachelor’s of science in nursing program that prepares you for the licensing exam and employment.

Students in their junior or senior year are eligible to earn a certificate in Vulnerable Populations, though. The additional courses are fully online, and the certificaLearn more about the Vulnerable Populations Certificatete is only 7 credits.

Residency is driven by employment, domicile, and tax information. Here is general information on Idaho Residency.