Nursing, Registered

Make Your Passion for Healthcare a Reality in Nursing and Train with the Best

Nursing student in healthcare lab

Program Overview

Are you passionate about a career in healthcare and eager to make a positive impact in people's lives? The Registered Nursing program at College of Western Idaho (CWI) is designed to guide you towards a fulfilling career in nursing. This comprehensive Associate of Science degree program includes theory, laboratory instruction, and clinical experience in various healthcare facilities, using state-of-the-art simulation practices. Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, the key step to becoming a licensed Registered Nurse.

CWI's Registered Nursing program emphasizes hands-on training, allowing you to develop clinical judgment and skills in real-world scenarios. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the program assures you will be taught by faculty with advanced education and experience. With above-national average pass rates for the NCLEX-RN and a high job placement rate, this program positions you for quick employment in a high-demand field.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Science

Cost

$11,254

Additional cost may apply.

Time to Complete

3 years

Primary Location

Applications Open

The Fall 2025 program application deadline for Registered Nursing is Friday, May 23.

Admission Steps

Learning Opportunities

  • Hands-On Training: Gain practical experience in skills labs, simulation labs, and clinical settings, honing your nursing abilities.
  • Accredited Curriculum: Learn from a nationally accredited program, ensuring high educational standards and quality instruction.
  • Degree Completion Partnerships: Benefit from partnerships with various universities for seamless transfer and degree completion.
  • High NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: Excel in the NCLEX-RN with a program that boasts above-national average success rates.
  • Strong Job Placement: Enter the workforce quickly, with a high job placement rate within three months of graduation.

Partnerships

  • Local industry partners, including Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke's, and West Valley Hospital, play a vital role in shaping your education at CWI, offering curriculum guidance and access to preceptorships and employment opportunities. 
  • Start your nursing pathway at CWI, then earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) fully-online at Lewis Clark State College.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Registered Nursing – Associate of Science Degree

3

YEARS

AS

Degree Requirements

Cost: $11,254

  • Student Outcomes

    • 2023: 100% pass rate
    • 2022: 89.00% 
    • 2021: 86.35% 
    • 2020: 89.50% 
    • 2019: 96.55% 
    • 2018: 96.55%
    • 2017: 95.00% 
    • 2016: 97.50%
    • 2015: 92.50%
Nurse measuring out medicine for an injection

Career Opportunities

  • Postsecondary Teachers

    1434

    Annual Openings*

    $35.69

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,235

    Annual Median Salary

    45.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Registered Nurses

    Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. Includes Clinical Nurse Specialists.

    1162

    Annual Openings*

    $37.47

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $77,938

    Annual Median Salary

    18.22%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data. Career pathways may require further education beyond CWI.

“One of my favorite memories in the RN program has been working in the simulation labs because we are able to treat a scenario as real as possible but also make mistakes that won’t hurt a patient. It allows us to build our confidence and skills as we move forward in the program.” Read more > about Fulfilling Her Dreams by Helping Others
Sarah Tuffield
Student, Registered Nursing
“Because of CWI, I can do what I love to do — help people and make a difference.” Read more > about Ten Years in the Making
Mike Tinker
2019 Graduate, Registered Nursing

Admissions

Admission into the Registered Nursing program is competitive and requires a supplemental application process. Learn more about this process by a program overview video.

STEP 1

  • Review the Registered Nursing Application Steps which includes details on:
    • qualifications
    • admission to CWI
    • general education classes
    • the Kaplan Nursing Admissions Exam
    • verifying certifications
    • professional references
    • applying to the program

STEP 2

  • Complete each step of the application process as indicated.

Step 3

  • Submit the program application and necessary documentation by the deadline.

Program Application Deadlines 

  • Fall 2025 – May 23, 2025

Academic Calendar New Student Checklist

Program Accreditation

The Associate of Science Registered Nursing program at College of Western Idaho at the Canyon County Center located in Nampa, Idaho, is accredited by the: 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.975.5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science Registered Nursing program is continuing accreditation. 

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website

The Registered Nursing program is approved by the Idaho State Board of Nursing. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Upon passing this exam, you will be licensed to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Clubs

Student Nurses Association logo
Student Nurses Association

The Student Nurses Association at College of Western Idaho brings together nursing students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses. Our goal is to develop nursing students who are prepared to lead the profession in the future through development of skills needed to be responsible and accountable members of the nursing community.

News

Applications are now being accepted for College of Western Idaho’s Health Science programs.

Read more about Health Programs Application Deadlines

College of Western Idaho’s Registered Nursing program recognized its 2023 graduating class during a pinning ceremony Wednesday, May 11.

Read more about ‘You are the Frontline of Healthcare’: 2023 Nurse Pinning Ceremony

Registered Nursing student, Sara Alton, is ready to graduate and help those around her community.

Read more about Working Hard to Achieve Her Dreams

With a newfound self-confidence, Registered Nursing student, Sarah Tuffield, is ready to graduate and meet the need for more healthcare workers.

Read more about Fulfilling Her Dreams by Helping Others

Applications are now being accepted for College of Western Idaho’s Health Science programs.

Read more about Health Programs 2023 Application Deadlines

Congratulations to Professional Nursing Instructor, Jolie Hultner, who was named College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for October 2022.

Read more about Hultner Named Faculty of Distinction for October 2022

College of Western Idaho’s Professional Nursing program recognized its 2022 graduating class during a pinning ceremony Wednesday, May 12, at the Nampa Civic Center.

Read more about 2022 Nurse Pinning Ceremony

Congratulations to Sean Muldoon, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for April 2021.

Read more about Muldoon Named Staff of the Month for April

The celebrations continued this week at CWI with the Virtual Nurse Pinning Ceremony on May 13.

Read more about 2021 Nurse Pinning Ceremony

Members of CWI’s Student Nurses Association continue their dedication to professional development and giving back.

Read more about Student Nurses Association Thrives Despite Curve Balls

Congratulations to Cathleen Currie, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for January 2021.

Read more about Currie Named Staff of the Month for January

CWI Nursing program continues to increase its capacity to meet the demand for training in this crucial healthcare sector.

Read more about CWI Nursing Program Innovates to Increase Capacity
View all news

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