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...
Professional Nursing Program at College of Western Idaho
Overview
Your path to nursing excellence begins at College of Western Idaho (CWI)! Imagine yourself in a career where every decision you make helps save lives. At the CWI, your journey to becoming a Registered Nurse is filled with opportunities for personal growth and professional excellence. Our Registered Nursing program is meticulously designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to become a compassionate and competent healthcare professional.
In this program, you will be part of an immersive learning environment where you are not just a student but a future nurse. You will practice in our state-of-the-art skills labs, participate in simulations that mirror real-life medical scenarios, and gain insights from experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. By the time you graduate, you will be fully prepared to take the NCLEX-RN examination and step confidently into your role as a registered nurse, ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of your patients.
Learning Opportunities
- Engage in hands-on training in CWI's advanced skills lab and simulation center.
- Experience diverse clinical rotations, honing your nursing skills in actual healthcare settings.
- Prepare for the NCLEX-RN with dedicated support and resources.
- Collaborate with seasoned healthcare professionals during your educational journey.
- Contribute to community health through service learning opportunities.
SAINT ALPHONSUS PARTNERSHIP
CWI is excited to partner with Saint Alphonsus to provide opportunities for individuals to expand their education and grow in their careers.
Healthcare Information Sessions
Want to learn more about this program and other healthcare programs at CWI? Join a Healthcare Information Session to learn about the programs, what you can do to prepare for the programs, meet advisors and instructors, and ask questions.
Application Process & Requirements
Application Periods
- Fall 2024 Semester: Feb. 12 – May 17
- Spring 2025 Semester: Sept. 2 – Oct. 25
How to Apply
Prior to applying for the Registered Nursing program, it is recommended to attend a Healthcare Information Session and watch this important program overview video.
- Apply to CWI and be accepted as a student.
- If you have completed a bachelor's or master's degree, submit a Bachelor's Degree Transfer Credit Request form in advance of applying for the program.
- Verify your coursework by:
- Reviewing the program requirements.
- Viewing Your Progress
- Schedule and complete the Kaplan Nursing Admissions Exam with a passing score at Testing Services in advance of submitting the program application.
- Complete and submit the Registered Nursing Program Application with professional references by the due date.
- Completion of the math and science courses is not required to apply to the Registered Nursing program. However, program admission is competitive, so completion of these courses increases your ranking points. In-progress courses may be used. For in-progress courses, use your current grade for scoring. Final grades for in-progress courses will be verified after the spring semester concludes. Please see the Registered Nursing Program Application for more information.
Registered Nursing Program Application Registered Nursing Reference Form
Application Help
For help or questions regarding the Registered Nursing application process, please contact your advisor or the Department Chair:
Allison Baker
allisonbaker2@cwi.edu
208.562.2037
For additional assistance, plan to attend a recruitment session via Zoom or in-person:
- Zoom Sessions
first Tuesday of the month
Noon – 1 p.m.
Meeting ID: 937 6922 2542
Passcode: 375797
- In-Person Sessions
third Tuesday of the month
Noon – 1 p.m.
Canyon County Center, Room 205
Future Applicants
Applications for the Fall 2024 Registered Nursing program start will no longer include points for the following courses:
- Pathophysiology
- Fundamentals of Nutrition
- Medical Terminology
Statement of Accreditation
The Associate of Science Registered Nursing program at College of Western Idaho at the Canyon County Campus 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
acenursing.org
Mission
The mission of the Registered Nursing program at College of Western Idaho (CWI) is to prepare graduates to practice safe, competent, patient-centered care in a complex and rapidly changing healthcare system; providing a foundation for individual advancement, developing nursing leaders, and contributing to Idaho’s prosperity.
Why This Program
The Registered Nursing program will prepare you to become licensed to practice nursing by providing you with a combination of theory and laboratory instruction as well as clinical experience in the area’s healthcare facilities. This program is approved by the Idaho State Board of Nursing, and 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.
May 2023 graduates: 100% pass rate
May 2022 graduates: 89.00% pass rate
May 2021 graduates: 86.35% pass rate
May 2020 graduates: 89.50% pass rate
May 2019 graduates: 96.55% pass rate
May 2018 graduates: 96.55% pass rate
May 2017 graduates: 95.00% pass rate
May 2016 graduates: 97.50% pass rate
May 2015 graduates: 92.50% pass rate
Additional Opportunities
Start your nursing pathway at CWI, then earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) fully-online at Lewis Clark State College (LCSC).
- Begin your bachelor's degree while still pursuing your associate degree,
- or transfer once you have completed your Professional Nursing degree at CWI.
For more information, visit LCSC's Bachelor of Science in Nursing page and select the CC to BSN track, or contact Brian Parker at LCSC or 208.292.1405.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Caring and compassionate nature
- Desire to serve others
- Keen observation and decision-making skills
- The ability to function well under stress
- Finely tuned verbal and written communication skills
- Nurses often lift up to 50 lbs, bend, reach, and kneel, and are required to have and use science and math skills in thinking critically
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
How do I apply to the CWI Nursing Associate of Science program?
- Complete the Admission Requirements to College of Western Idaho.
- Complete the Associate of Science Nursing Program Application
* Skip to the Pointers listed below for advice on how to submit a quality application.
Pointers:
Pointer #1: HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SESSIONS
Attend a Healthcare Information Session! They are offered twice a month!! The schedule is conveniently located on the main CWI Nursing page (under "Resources" on the left-hand side of the page). This is a great venue for getting answers to your questions and finding out what CWI has to offer in regards to our fantastic health programs!
Pointer #2: TRANSFER CREDITS
After transfer credits are evaluated, you will receive by mail, a Transcript Evaluation Report (TRER). It is recommended that you carefully examine your TRER to ensure that CWI has received and evaluated all of your transfer credits. Prior to submitting your AS in Nursing Application, it is strongly suggested that you run a Progress Report in the Nursing - Associate of Science (Professional) program (completed using the Student Planning tool in myCWI) to see exactly which courses are complete and which courses are still needed in order to submit a competitive application.
If you are transferring to CWI with a bachelor's degree and/or master’s degree, you must complete a Bachelor’s Degree Evaluation Request Form with any prerequisite and corequisite courses if you expect to receive transfer credit towards the AS degree. Submit the completed form to the One Stop Student Services Office. Please allow up to two weeks for processing. This form will generate a Transcript Evaluation Report (TRER) to be sent to you via mail. If this step is not completed, and your AS in Nursing application is processed, it will appear as if you do not have any transfer credits in your records.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is designed to prepare students with the skills to succeed in college, a career, and life. Completion of CWI 101 is a general education requirement of students seeking to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from CWI. Students are encouraged to take CWI 101 during their first semester.
Explore CWI 101 PathwaysTransfer
Individuals admitted to CWI as a degree-seeking student who have earned college credit from another institution may transfer their credits to CWI. Visit Transferring to CWI to learn more.
Plan ahead for your transition to a four-year college or university. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisor and representatives from the intended transfer school to ensure a smooth transition beyond CWI. Visit Transferring From CWI to explore our transfer partnerships.
CWI has an articulation agreement with Boise State University's RN-BS Online/Distance Completion Track which allows our graduates a seamless transition in obtaining their advanced degrees.
"Many registered nurses with an ASN or diploma choose to go back to school to earn a bachelor's degree through an RN-to-BSN program. There are also master's degree programs in nursing, combined bachelor's and master's programs, and programs for those who wish to enter the nursing profession but hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement."
Cost & Aid
As a student in this program, you may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Visit Cost & Aid to view tuition and fees, explore types of aid, apply for federal financial aid, and more.
Are you a 2024 Idaho high school graduate? Learn how to get up to $8,000 of your tuition and fees covered at CWI through Idaho LAUNCH.
Career Info
Professions
- Registered Nurse
Regardless of specialty or work setting, professional nurses (specifically RNs) provide patient care, educate patients and the public about various health issues, and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' health histories and symptoms help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate equipment that supports patient health care, administer patient medications and treatments, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
Professional nurses teach patients and their families how to manage their health care during health or illness. This includes explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Professional nurses work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of disease.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree recipients, upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam, are qualified to work as a registered nurse in any structured healthcare setting. Those opportunities include: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, physician offices or clinics, home-health and/or any aspect of direct care for patients.
Job Placement
A survey is administered annually to Professional Nursing graduates six months after graduation. The job placement rates listed below represent the percentage of respondents employed as a Registered Nurse at the time of the survey.
Graduating Class |
Job Placement Rate |
---|---|
2022 | 90% |
2021 |
100% |
2020 |
69%* |
2019 |
93% |
*Job placement for the Professional Nursing program declined in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional Licensure & Online Program Disclosure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields, such as health care and other fields, vary from state to state. If you live outside Idaho and are considering enrolling in a College of Western Idaho program that leads to a professional license, we highly recommended you visit the appropriate state licensing agency website in your state, or the state where you intend to work, to find the most up-to-date information about state licensure requirements before beginning the program. Find more information regarding licensure for this program.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

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

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

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

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

Congratulations to Professional Nursing Instructor, Jolie Hultner, who was named College of Western Idaho’s 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.
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