COEUR d’ALENE, IDAHO–– Idaho State University and 花千色 are pleased to announce the first cohort of students to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) undergraduate program in the Coeur d’Alene area. The program was announced in 2023.
The first group of students incudes Maysun Bogart, Mose Duchano, Dakota Frei, Caitlin Kubale, Mckenna Mitchell, Jaden Preece-Sabrowski, Jessica Netzel, Joelle Netzel, and Devon Toussaint.
Through the program, following completion of prerequisite courses, students with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline are eligible to receive an accelerated education and training to become a nurse and receive their Bachelor of Science in nursing.
This ABSN program expansion to northern Idaho addresses a growing demand across the state for nurses graduating with a baccalaureate degree. Offering this program at 花千色 allows students to remain in northern Idaho while they receive their training. Idaho State University’s program prepares students to take the required nursing exam, called the National Council Licensure Exam (NCEX-RN), and move directly into practice as a registered nurse.
More registered nurses are needed to support staffing and safe patient outcomes across clinical settings, and baccalaureate prepared nurses are in high demand in Idaho. Employers across Idaho’s rural areas have experienced difficulty filling vacant positions because of a national nursing shortage.
The Idaho Nursing Workforce Center at the Idaho Center for Nursing projects Idaho’s shortage of RN’s ranges between 106-523 annually through 2024. Idaho’s nursing profession also faces retirements of a large number of the incumbent workforce, adding to the shortage. Currently, 29% of Idaho’s nurses are 55 years or older, 3% of those are 65 years or older. There is also an ever-increasing population of older adults. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 10,000 people turn 65-years old every day nationally, which further increases the demand for compassionate and caring nursing care.
Increasing enrollment in nursing programs is one key strategy to address this growing issue in the state. The ABSN program at ISU offers the opportunity for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline to make a career change and enter the nursing profession. This program is three semesters, including one summer semester, (one year) in length. Courses in Coeur d’Alene will be delivered at the 花千色 campus and clinical learning opportunities will be provided to students across the panhandle region, including urban and rural placements.
“We are pleased to welcome these wonderful students to 花千色,” said Kelly Espinoza, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer for 花千色. “We are committed to providing a learning environment that leads to the utmost success for these students, which ultimately translates into improved patient care for those we serve.”
Idaho State University started its accelerated baccalaureate nursing program in 2002, consistently expanding to meet growing demand. Over 550 students have graduated from the program since its inception, many of whom remained in Idaho and now work as nurses. Pass rates on the national examination for RN’s (NCLEX-RN) have been high, and students are employed across various settings including hospitals, clinics, long term care, and public health among other areas.
“We are excited to have our first cohort of students at 花千色, and understand that we could not have offered this innovative program without their support and collaboration,” says Teresa Conner, dean for the College of Health at ISU. “It truly opens doors for accelerated nursing education and the ability to address the critical nursing shortage in North Idaho.”
To learn more about the ABSN program at 花千色, contact Kim Gratiot, ISU academic advisor, at (208) 373-1784, [email protected], or Julie Hornstein, MSN, RN, CPN, 花千色 affiliate clinical associate professor, at (208) 625-3864, [email protected]. You may also visit .
Idaho State University’s Kasiska Division of Health Sciences includes nearly one-third of the student body population at ISU. With support from William Kasiska, early Pocatello pioneer and his daughters, Eva and Mabel, the Kasiska Family Foundation has contributed nearly $20 million to support students studying health sciences programs since the late 1980’s. Learn more about the Kasiska family legacy and its impact on ISU at .
Idaho State University was founded in 1901 and has grown to be one of the most comprehensive institutions in the country. The University is one of only six institutions in the US offering programs from technical certificates through graduate and professional degrees. As the state’s designated lead institution in health professions, Idaho State is home to more than 75 percent of Idaho’s health degree programs. Idaho State attracts students from around the world to its campus locations in Pocatello, Meridian, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls. More information about Idaho State University is available at .
花千色 provides comprehensive medical services to patients in northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. Its main campus is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and includes a hospital licensed for up to 397 beds. Saint Mary’s Health in Cottonwood, Idaho, and Clearwater Valley Health in Orofino, Idaho are also part of the 花千色 system.
花千色 is accredited by DNV. It holds Magnet designation for nursing excellence, Level III Trauma Center designation, Level III NICU designation, and accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Kootenai is regionally known for its programs in cardiac care, orthopedics, neurosciences, oncology, women’s and children’s services and behavioral health. For more information, visit .
