BSN-to-DNP Programs in Idaho – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Are you an Idaho RN who wants to optimize your professional autonomy? BSN-to-DNP programs in Idaho can train you to become a nurse practitioner, and since Idaho is a full-practice state for NPs, you’ll be able to diagnose and treat health conditions to the full extent of your training. If executive management is what interests you, a DNP can help you attain top leadership positions outside of direct patient care. As a DNP-educated RN in the Gem State, you can count on making $134,170 a year, and the demand for your services will rise by 60 percent in the next decade. Learn more with this guide to the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Idaho.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN-TO-DNP PROGRAMS IN IDAHO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best BSN-to-DNP programs in Idaho (Online & Campus) for 2026.
1. Idaho State University - Pocatello
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia
The Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pathways are available part-time or full-time, allowing you to choose a schedule that works best for you. Full-time students typically complete the program in three years, while part-time students typically take five years.
The FNP and PMHNP programs feature a hybrid learning format consisting primarily of online coursework. Family NP students come to campus two to four days each semester for clinical intensives. Psychiatric Mental Health NP students visit campus for new student orientation and for Health Assessment intensives. The Family Nurse Practitioner program requires the completion of 83 credits, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program requires 85 credits. Both pathways include 1,008 clinical hours in the curriculum plans.
The Nurse Anesthesia pathway is designed in a front-loaded format, which consists of didactic components during the first year and clinical components during the second and third years. This pathway features a 101-credit curriculum with classes, including Advanced Pharmacology for Anesthesia, Advanced Concepts of Crisis Management in Anesthesia Practice, Advanced Physiology & Anatomy for Anesthesia, and Advanced Pathologic Aspects of Disease.
As a Nurse Anesthesia student, you will complete over 2,000 hours of direct clinical experience and at least 100 lab hours. Clinical practicums are facilitated by program faculty and supervised by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and/or physician anesthesiologists.
Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at Idaho State University must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School as well as the School of Nursing. You must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the CCNE or another nationally recognized accrediting body for nursing education and have a valid, current, unrestricted Registered Nurse License. You are required to submit three professional references attesting to your capacity and potential for doctoral study, a professional curriculum vitae or resume, a three-to-four-page professional essay, and official transcripts from all post-secondary schools reflecting a minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average. Applicants with at least two years of documented previous healthcare or nursing experience are given preferential consideration for admission.
Candidates for the Nurse Anesthesia pathway must have at least one year of full-time work experience as a Registered Nurse in a critical care setting prior to applying to the program. Preferred critical care experiences may include medical and adult surgical ICUs, emergency departments, pediatric ICU, NICU, trauma, or flight nursing. Additionally, Nurse Anesthesia applicants must have BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification. Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) is highly recommended.
Why Choose This Program
• If you want to return to school to earn a doctoral degree in nursing but worry about financing your degree, Idaho State University can help. The School of Nursing awards over $100,000 in scholarships annually. You may visit the Bengal Online Scholarship System to complete a scholarship application and check the program's website for School of Nursing Scholarships and Endowments.• At Idaho State University, the School of Nursing's Clinical Placement Coordinator and program faculty collaborate with clinical sites and preceptors within the state of Idaho to facilitate clinical site placements. If you live outside of Idaho and plan to complete clinicals in another state (if allowed), your Clinical Placement Coordinator will guide you as you work with your preferred preceptor and site to help arrange clinical rotations.
• Idaho State University has an excellent reputation for preparing highly qualified, well-equipped advanced practice nurses and practitioners. Graduates of this BSN-to-DNP program in Idaho reflect this reputation by demonstrating outstanding pass rates on national certification exams. Graduates consistently exceed national averages, reflecting the program's high quality and excellent student preparation.
• Flexible online classes, brief campus-based immersions, and the option to enroll part-time or full-time make the BSN-to-DNP program at Idaho State University an excellent option for busy working professionals.
2. Boise State University - Boise
Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner
The program follows a cohort model, which means you will benefit from the diverse backgrounds of your peers and faculty as you support one another and learn. The BSN-to-DNP program features a hybrid learning format that combines online coursework with in-person instruction. You will complete an annual summer intensive on campus, which is a prerequisite to clinical placements.
The curriculum plans include core graduate courses and specialty core courses. Each pathway requires a minimum of 70 credits. You will study in classes, including Concepts of Population Health & Health Promotion in Health Systems, Biostatistics, and Advanced Physiology & Pathology. Each pathway includes concentration-specific coursework designed to prepare you to provide patient care in your chosen population foci.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at Boise State University, you must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and have proof of a valid, unencumbered RN license. You are required to complete a Graduate College Application and submit the application fees. Additionally, you need to provide a Personal Statement, a resume or curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation from faculty members, work supervisors, or professional healthcare colleagues who can attest to your potential for success in a graduate nursing program. Candidates who pass the initial review will be invited for a video interview with program faculty. Interviews are only offered to highly competitive candidates.
Why Choose This Program
• At Boise State University, the dedicated Clinical Placement Team works through the technicalities of clinical placements, ensuring you have clinical placements and preceptors to help you develop the essential skills you need to succeed, not only in the program but after graduation as a nurse practitioner. The program reports a 100% placement success rate.• Boise State University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best Doctor of Nursing Practice: Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs in the nation.
• The BSN-to-DNP program at Boise State has excellent student feedback reviews. According to student surveys, current and former students based their satisfaction on factors such as faculty engagement, curriculum presentation, clinical training opportunities, and board examination preparation. This level of satisfaction is an excellent way to gauge a program's quality when searching for the right one to meet your needs.
• As a student at Boise State University, you will have access to supportive staff who are committed to your success in the program and your career following graduation. Program faculty have decades of combined experience as clinicians and nurse educators, which means you will benefit from their knowledge and diverse insights as you prepare to embark on your career transition as a doctoral-prepared practitioner.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits BSN-to-DNP Programs In Idaho?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited BSN-to-DNP Programs In Idaho?
| 2 |
3. What Is The Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Idaho?
| Hourly | $64.50 |
| Weekly | $2,580 |
| Monthly | $11,180 |
| Annual | $134,170 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level BSN-to-DNP Graduates Make In Idaho?
| Hourly | $47.46 |
| Weekly | $1,898 |
| Monthly | $8,230 |
| Annual | $98,710 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced BSN-to-DNP Graduates Make In Idaho?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $53.70 | $2,148 | $9,310 | $111,690 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $63.38 | $2,535 | $10,990 | $131,840 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $70.59 | $2,824 | $12,240 | $146,830 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $84.36 | $3,374 | $14,620 | $175,460 |
6. What Is The Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Idaho By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Monthly | Weekly | Annual |
| Boise City | $65.64 | $11,380 | $2,626 | $136,540 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $65.06 | $11,280 | $2,602 | $135,320 |
| Idaho Falls | $57.75 | $10,010 | $2,310 | $120,130 |
| Lewiston | $64.89 | $11,250 | $2,596 | $134,980 |
| Pocatello | $60.37 | $10,460 | $2,415 | $125,570 |
| Twin Falls | $63.24 | $10,960 | $2,529 | $131,530 |
7. Average BSN-to-DNP Salary In Idaho VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Idaho
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $171,880 | -$37,710 | -21.94% |
| Nurse With BSN-to-DNP | $134,170 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Pharmacist | $129,140 | +$5,030 | +3.89% |
| Veterinarian | $122,590 | +$11,580 | +9.45% |
| Podiatrist | $115,070 | +$19,100 | +16.60% |
| Physician Assistant | $113,870 | +$20,300 | +17.83% |
| Optometrist | $104,020 | +$30,150 | +28.98% |
| Radiation Therapist | $103,190 | +$30,980 | +30.02% |
| Physical Therapist | $92,400 | +$41,770 | +45.21% |
| Audiologist | $89,630 | +$44,540 | +49.69% |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,550 | +$44,620 | +49.83% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,390 | +$49,780 | +58.99% |
| Chiropractor | $75,220 | +$58,950 | +78.37% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,890 | +$60,280 | +81.58% |
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Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical and educational settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master's degree in Education. Darby has worked as a Registered Nurse in diverse healthcare environments, including medical-surgical, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional design, and student mentoring across nursing and allied health programs.
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