Almost 700 new MSN nurses are needed in Idaho by 2020. That startling conclusion is the result of a series of studies that analyzed the state's healthcare demand and workforce. Idaho especially needs more nurse practitioners, more certified registered nurse anesthetists and more nurse educators - and is offering incentives to encourage Idaho nurses to pursue advanced education.
Scholarships and loan forgiveness programs are available to Idaho nurses who pursue careers in nurse education or rural nursing. That's because Idaho desperately needs both nurse educators and primary care nurses who are willing to practice in primary settings. A full 25 percent of Idaho's nurse faculty are expected to retire within the next five years. More MSN nurses, including those who intend to pursue at PhD at some point, are needed to teach the next generation of Idaho's nurses. MSN nurses who provide primary care services - such as nurse practitioners and nurse midwives - are needed in the state's sparsely populated rural areas. Certified registered nurses anesthetists (CRNAs) are also needed in the rural regions of the state, as they are often the sole providers of anesthesia services at rural hospitals.
Many of Idaho's MSN programs are offered online, making it easy for nurses across the state to access graduate education. MSN programs for Idaho nurses include:
- Idaho State University. Idaho State prepares students for careers as clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators, nurse leader and nurse practitioners. MSN students can study full-time or part-time. While all classes are offered online, some also require periodic on-site attendance.
- Northwest Nazerene University. The online MSN program at Northwest Nazerene is specifically designed to prepare nurses for careers in nurse education. The online format enables students to work while studying for their MSN degree.
