A University of Idaho master of science in nursing program in collaboration with North Idaho College was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education in August 2025. The program also partners with hospitals in the region to provide MSN students with hands-on experience. The university attempted to seek approval from ISBE last fall but was denied.
“Idaho ranks 50th in the nation with less than eight nurses per 1,000 people,” wrote UI President Scott Green in a letter from the president on Sept. 12, 2025.
The Idaho Department of Labor identifies registered nurses as a top needed job, with state monthly vacancy rates ranging between 750 and 1,000 RN’s.
According to the 2024 Nurse Workforce Report, Idaho has 22,845 RNs, a net increase of 1,708 since 2022. The number of nurses in rural regions of Idaho grew by 520 nurses since 2022, reversing a prior trend of migration to urban centers. Idaho also has 3,467 licensed practical nurses.
Idaho’s nursing education institutions have produced over 2,500 new graduate RNs and 152 LPNs over the past five years. The NWR reported shortages in clinical sites and qualified faculty as a contributing factor.
“Even increasing nursing graduates by 10-20 students annually at all nursing programs in Idaho would still not meet the current workforce projection needs,” wrote Russell Baker, co-director of UI’s School of Health and Medical Professionals in the presidential communications.
The MSN program will allow any student with a bachelor’s degree to receive an advanced nursing degree in two years.
The Argonaut contacted SHAMP and NIC for comments and additional information about the program but received no response.
Anna Capello can be reached at [email protected].