Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Thank you for your interest in the Idaho State University-Meridian Accelerated Nursing Program. The Accelerated Program is designed for those who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing. Students complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and are eligible to take the RN licensure exam (NCLEX) upon completion of the program. The program is fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
The Accelerated Nursing Program is four consecutive semesters beginning in January of one year and ending in May of the following year. The next application process will be for Spring 2014. Please check this website for application information and deadlines as they are posted. A maximum of 30 students are accepted for each January enrollment.
The following list identifies the main components of the admission process. Each addendum provides specific information. The application process requires verification and/or completion of:
- Prior Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Prerequisite courses - Addendum I
- 3.0 minimum GPA calculated from "Set A" prerequisite courses
- Application/acceptance to Idaho State University - Addendum II
- Accelerated Nursing Program Application - Addendum II
- Test of Essential Academic Skills Exam (TEAS) - Addendum II
- Personal interview, in October, for selected eligible candidates only – Addendum II
- Background Investigation - Addendum II
- Current immunization status - Addendum II
- Physical exam from a healthcare provider - Addendum II
- CPR for Healthcare Providers is required. Either American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) for Healthcare Providers or American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer - Addendum II
We look forward to the opportunity to assist you in meeting your education goals. Please review the Addendums and Frequently Asked Questions. If you would like additional information, you may call 208-373-1785 or e-mail AcceleratedNursing@isu.edu
ADDENDUM I
Prerequisite and Corequisite Course Requirements
- All prerequisite and corequisite courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 among "Set A" prerequisite courses is required for application to the Accelerated Nursing Program.
- Applicants for January 2014 enrollment must complete all "Set A" prerequisite courses prior to the September 2013 application deadline, and complete all "Set B" prerequisite courses prior to the January 2014 enrollment date.
Prerequisite Courses:
| SET A Application Prerequisites |
ISU Course | ISU Credits |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab |
BIOL 3301 and BIOL 3302 | 8 |
| Intro to General Chemistry | CHEM 1101 | 3 |
| Intro to Organic or Biochemistry with Lab | CHEM 1102 and CHEM 1103 | 4 |
| Introduction to Microbiology with Lab | BIOL 2221 and BIOL 2221L | 4 |
| Pathobiology (Pathophysiology) | BIOL 3305 or 4463 | 3 |
| SET B Enrollment Prerequisites |
ISU Course | ISU Credits |
| Introduction to Psychology | PSYC 1101 | 3 |
| Child Development | PSYC 2225 | 3 |
| Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology | SOC 1101 or 1102 OR ANTH 2237, 2238, or 2239 |
3 |
| Introduction to Statistics | Math 1153 | 3 |
Corequisite Courses:
Corequisite courses are offered as part of the curriculum during the first semester of the Accelerated Nursing Program or may be taken prior to admission.
| Corequisite | ISU Course | ISU Credits |
| Nutrition for Health Professionals | NTD 3340 | 3 |
| Medical Ethics | PHIL 2230 | 3 |
| Pharmacology for Nursing | PSCI 3315 | 4 |
ADDENDUM II
Additional Components of ISU-Meridian Accelerated Nursing Application Process
● Application to Idaho State University - Application to Idaho State University is required prior to applying to the Accelerated Nursing Program. Upon acceptance to ISU, a student identification number is assigned that is required on the Nursing application. Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted to ISU Office of Admissions as part of the application process. The application fee is $40.00. Applications are available on the ISU website at http://www.isu.edu/howtoapply.shtml or through ISU, Office of Admissions, Box 8270, Pocatello, ID 83209-8270, phone 208-282-2475.
● Accelerated Nursing Program Application - Detailed admission information will be posted on this website in Spring 2013. The online application will be posted in May 2013, and the completed application with all required documentation will be due in September 2013, date to be determined.
● Official Transcripts - In addition to the official transcripts submitted to ISU Office of Admissions (above), official transcripts verifying baccalaureate degree and all nursing prerequisite and corequisite courses must be submitted to the Accelerated Nursing Program, 1311 E. Central Drive,
Meridian, ID 83642.
● Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) - The TEAS V exam must be completed and scores submitted by the September 2013 application deadline. ISU will administer the TEAS at ISU-Meridian, 1311 E. Central Drive, between May and August 2013, dates/times to be posted on the TEAS link of this website. Photo ID and a check or cash in the amount of $55.00 are required at the time the exam is taken. Please call the Accelerated Nursing Program at 208-373-1785 to schedule your exam, or if you have questions about the TEAS. The TEAS exam may be taken only once.
● Personal Interview – Selected applicants may be contacted for a personal interview in October 2013. These interviews will be conducted in the Accelerated Nursing Department and will be a determining factor in the applicant ranking process. Interviews do not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. The results of the interview may exclude an applicant from acceptance, despite GPA and/or TEAS score.
● Background Investigation - Applicants must have a background investigation performed between May 15 and September 15 of the application year. The ISU-approved vender for criminal background checks is CertifiedBackground. It is an online service. Go to www.CertifiedBackground.com and click on “Students”. Enter package code: id13. You will be directed to set up your CertifiedProfile account. The cost is $45.00. In order to complete the admission application, you must submit a copy of your order confirmation from CertifiedBackground with the Accelerated Nursing Program application. No other background investigation will be accepted.
1. The background check is required annually during the Nursing Program.
● Current Immunization Status - Verification of current immunization status must accompany the Accelerated Nursing Program application and includes the following:
- Mantoux/PPD (TB) - negative test within one year prior to application
- Tdap vaccination for adults
- MMR - two documented doses or positive titer
- Hepatitis B - 3 dose series and positive titer. This series takes 7-8 months, so please prepare ahead of the application due date.
- Varicella - two documented doses or positive titer
- Annual influenza vaccination required by January 2014 if admitted to the nursing program
● Physical Exam – From a healthcare provider verifying that the applicant possesses the mental and physical health to meet the requirements of being an active and capable student in the nursing program. The healthcare provider must sign the Health Evaluation Form which is part of the Accelerated Nursing Program application. Physical exam must be performed within one year prior to application date.
● CPR Certification - Attach proof of current CPR certification to your application. Either American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR/AED) for the Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter what field my current baccalaureate degree is in?
No, any Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is acceptable.
What factors are considered for admission to the Accelerated Nursing Program?
Applicant selection is based upon:
- Prerequisite GPA - The GPA is ranked based upon the calculation of grades from the prerequisite courses (Set A) of Anatomy and Physiology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology. A minimum GPA of 3.0 among these specific prerequisites is required for application consideration.
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) – The score of the TEAS V is ranked.
- Personal interview – Selected applicants may be contacted for a personal interview during the admission process. Interviews will be conducted in the Accelerated Nursing Department, and will be a determining factor in the ranking process. Interviews do not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. The results of the interview may exclude an applicant from acceptance, despite GPA and/or TEAS score.
Do the prerequisite courses need to be taken at ISU?
No, courses that have been approved by ISU School of Nursing can be taken and credits transferred from other accredited colleges/universities. You may be required to petition the ISU School of Nursing for consideration of some transfer credits (see pertinent paragraphs below).
How do I determine if the classes I have already taken are equivalent to the prerequisite requirements of the Accelerated Program?
Unofficial transcripts can be e-mailed, faxed, or mailed to the Accelerated Nursing Program for evaluation by an advisor to help you determine what, if any, courses you need to take to meet the prerequisites. You may be required to petition the ISU School of Nursing for consideration of some transfer credits. Petitions are often required for courses with a title that is different from the ISU course title specified in the prerequisite list, occasionally required for out-of-state credits, and necessary if you have a combination of two or more courses that you believe meets one of the prerequisite courses. If necessary, advising appointments can be completed in person or over the phone. You may schedule an appointment with an advisor by calling 208-373-1785.
Does it matter when I complete program prerequisites?
All Set A prerequisites must be complete and on an official transcript prior to the application deadline, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Set A prerequisites is required. Introduction to Pathobiology (or Pathophysiology) must be taken within 7 years prior to application. Pharmacology for Nursing, which is a program corequisite, must be taken within 3 years prior to application. Please be aware that the School of Nursing is considering an 8-year time restriction for Human Anatomy & Physiology; however, this is not yet policy. ISU School of Nursing reserves the right to revise admission requirements at any time, without prior notice. Please check with this website for updates regarding restrictions on maturity of credits and other admission requirements. You are also welcome to call the Accelerated Nursing Program with any questions.
Do I have to take the corequisite courses before applying?
Nutrition for Health Professionals-NTD 3340, Medical Ethics-PHIL 2230, and Pharmacology for Nursing-PSCI 3315 are corequisite courses that can be taken prior to admission to the program, petitioned if the equivalent has been taken at another accredited university, or completed during the first semester of the nursing program. Although these courses are not required as part of the admission process and are offered in the Accelerated Program curriculum, prospective students are strongly encouraged to complete as many corequisites as possible prior to admission. Note: 12 credits are required for full-time student status at ISU. Full-time status is necessary for ISU student health insurance and for many scholarships. The first semester of the Accelerated Nursing Program consists of 10 credits if all three corequisite courses have been completed in advance.
How does the petition process work?
The petition form is available on the Accelerated Nursing Program website, or from the Accelerated Nursing office. The form simply requires the brief statement "I am petitioning for acceptance of course number and title from Institution as equivalent to nursing requirement(s) for the ISU School of Nursing prerequisite course number and title." Attach a course description and/or preferably a syllabus from the course(s) referenced in the petition form. Also attach a copy of the official transcript page that reflects the grade you earned (if applicable) in the petitioned course(s). Return the completed petition and attachment(s) to the ISU Accelerated Nursing Program, 1311 E. Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642. You will be notified of the results of the review process within approximately one month.
Is an appointment with an advisor required?
No, but it is highly recommended. Talking with an advisor to review your prior coursework and evaluate your status regarding meeting the prerequisite course requirements eliminates uncertainties on your part.
What do I need to know about the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)?
The computerized TEAS V exam includes four parts: Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English Language Usage. A study guide for TEAS V is available if desired at http://www.atitesting.com or 1-800-667-7531. The exam takes approximately 4 hours and your score is available upon completion. You will submit a copy of your score with your Accelerated Nursing Program application. The TEAS V exam may be taken only once.
Applicants outside the Boise-Meridian area may contact ATI Testing at 800-667-7531 for testing sites. The TEAS V does not have to be taken at ISU-Meridian. However, applicants must select “BSN” as the Program Type when logging in to begin the TEAS V exam. “ADN” scores are not accepted for the Accelerated Nursing Program.
A check or cash in the amount of $55.00 and photo ID are required at the time the exam is taken at ISU-Meridian. See the TEAS link on this website for the dates and times that the TEAS test will be administered in 2013. Call 208-373-1785 to schedule your exam.
How competitive is the admission process?
The process is highly competitive with only 30 applicants accepted each year.
Where and when can I get an application?
The online application will be available in May 2013 at http://www.isu.edu/meridian/p_bs_nursing.shtml.
How much does the program cost?
ISU full-time in-state tuition for 2012-2013 is $3,035 per semester. Full-time non-resident tuition for 2012-2013 is $8,935 per semester. Student health insurance is $925 fall semester, $925 spring/summer; a waiver is available with documentation of other health insurance. Books, supplies, and miscellaneous fees are extra, and there are additional professional fees of $760 each semester for nursing students. Tuition and fee increases are anticipated for 2013-2014.