FAQ`s
Undergraduate FAQ Graduate FAQ
Undergraduate
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that it is highly recommended that students meet with the nursing school advisor for clarification of the following information and for assistance with academic planning..
How do I become a nursing major?
Students are admitted to ISU as pre-nursing majors and typically complete the nursing prerequisite courses during the first year. Once these courses have been successfully completed the student can then formally apply to the nursing program.
What prerequisite courses will I need to apply to the BS in Nursing program?
For Students Applying to Nursing Program in Fall, 2008
The following courses will be used to determine prerequisite Grade Point Average:
BIOL 101 Biology (with Lab)
CHEM 101 Intro. To Gen. Chem.
PSYC 101 Intro. To General Psych.
BIOL 301 Anatomy & Physiology
HCA 210 Medical Terminology
BIOL 221 Introductory Microbiology
BIOL 221L Introductory Microbiology Lab
PSYC 225 Child Development
BIOL 302 Anatomy & Physiology
ANTH 237, 238, or 239 OR ANTH 100 or SOC 101
The following courses must be completed or in progress upon applying to the program:
BIOL 305 Pathobiology
CHEM 102 Intro. To Organic and Biochem..
CHEM 103 Intro. to Gen., Organic and Biochem. Lab.
NTD 340 Therapeutic Nutrition
NOTE: It is also recommended that the following courses are complete or in progress upon application:
Math 108, ENGL 101, COMM 101, ECON 101, 201, 202, OR
AMST/POL 101, ENGL 102.
What factors are considered for admission to the BS in Nursing program?
1) Grade Point Average in prerequisite courses. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses in order for their application to be accepted.
2) Scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)- English, Math, Science, and Reading sections.
3) Proctored essay.
How competitive is the admissions process?
The admissions process is competitive. Successful applicants typically have a prerequisite GPA over 3.4 and score above 80 percent on the TEAS. See application for complete details.
When can I apply to the BS in Nursing program?
Applications are accepted once each year. Applications are available May 15 and must be submitted to the School of Nursing by September 15.
Where can I get an application form?
Applications are available at www.isu.edu/nursing ,
What is needed for the application process?
The application process requires submission of prerequisite grades, TEAS scores, and a proctored essay. In addition, applicants must submit proof of American Heart Association CPR certification, criminal history check, and health verification requirements. It is highly recommended that students meet with the nursing advisor as early as possible for detailed information related to the admission process.
What is the TEAS?
The TEAS or Test of Essential Academic Skills is a scholastic aptitude assessment of English, Math, Science, and Reading skills. The test can be taken, beginning in July 1, in Pocatello (282-2130) or Idaho Falls (282-7750) at the Counseling and Testing Center. A TEAS study guide can be purchased at the ATI website for $25.00:
http://www.atitesting.com/ or by calling 1-800-667-7531.
How long will it take to complete the BS in Nursing degree? When are students admitted?
The baccalaureate program, including prerequisites, can be completed in four years of full-time attendance. Students are admitted to the nursing program in sophomore spring semester and then complete five semesters of study.
Can courses taken at another university transfer to the nursing program?
Yes, many courses will transfer especially English, Psychology, Biology, etc. Once you apply to Idaho State University, your transfer credit will be evaluated by the ISU Office of Admissions. Particular nursing courses will be evaluated by the School of Nursing to determine equivalency. The nursing advisor can assist you with transfer credit issues. In some cases, a university or departmental petition may be necessary.
Is there an “accelerated ” nursing program?
Yes, there is an accelerated program offered through ISU School of Nursing at the ISU Boise Center . Students applying must have a previous baccalaureate degree in any area. Some prerequisite courses are also required. Four semesters are completed prior to earning the BS in Nursing degree. For more information on Boise Fast Track visit:
www.isu.edu/nursing or make an appointment to speak with the Boise Fast Track advisor at (208) 373-1785. The fast track option is not currently available in Pocatello.
Can LPNs or Associate Degree/Diploma RNs complete their BS degree?
Yes! For LPNs the admissions process is the same as for other students. However, HCA 210 and NURS 220 are waived. Once admitted to the program, LPNs are typically awarded credit for “transition courses” by submitting a petition. (Student must pay for these credit hours). LPNs progress through the BS program just as other students; however, the number of credit hours taken each semester is reduced.
Registered Nurses with an Associates degree who would like to obtain the Bachelors degree may apply to the “BS Completion Program”. Applications to this program are accepted during fall, spring, or summer of each academic year. The application process for RNs is separate from the others so applicants should consult with the nursing advisor for complete information.
Special note: RNs and LPNs must have a current license to practice as such at the time of application.
Graduate Nursing Program
You say this program is online. What does this mean?
All our courses are online using a variety of teaching strategies including online discussion, power point with audio, video, web conferences and other appropriate methods. Both students and faculty “present” material online often via narrated power point presentations. Viewing these presentations is a requirement and considered the equivalent of attending class in a traditional program. Online discussion is considered a primary learning strategy. Scholarly writing is also a critical component of the program. There are usually no regular class meeting times. You access the class at times convenient to you. “Intensives” may be required in all options. An intensive is a blocked time of one or more days on-campus in Pocatello or Boise. Intensives are intended for labs, testing or other activities not suited to the online learning environment.
Tell me more about how students learn in the program. What about group work?
There is an emphasis on group work and discussion in every course. The theoretical learning framework for our program is social constructivism. It is a common theory for online courses and is also the grounding philosophy for Moodle, the online learning management system at ISU.
In constructivist learning theory internal and social negotiation/interaction leads to the construction of knowledge. This process includes exploration of issues, reflection, and reevaluation. In social constructivism, learners must interact together and negotiate meaning to construct knowledge. An online program that consists of only individual work is an online correspondence program. The group work and discussions in our program are intended to assist students in constructing knowledge.
The group work and discussions also help with role socialization. Role socialization is one of the essential components of a master's program in nursing according to accreditation criteria. Building online communities is one way to increase role socialization, and the literature shows that group work and discussion assist in building an online community. In addition, the Institute of Medicine has listed five core competencies for health care professionals. One of these is the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team. As a faculty we feel this begins with collaborative work among graduate student peers.
Group work is facilitated by various Moodle activities such as a “wiki” where a group of students can work together online to create a document. In addition both video and audio conference technology is available.
What is Moodle?
Moodle ISU is the online learning management system here at ISU. Moodle was developed by educators with a social constructivist learning philosophy in mind. To learn more about the system, visit http://moodle.org.
So online means I can do the program in my spare time!
No. This program is an intense and challenging program. Students report online study can be more challenging than and easily take as much time as a traditional classroom course. You must arrange time to participate online in the same way you would arrange time to attend classes. The difference is, for most of the work, you can choose the time to participate in the online portion of the class. You are expected to actively participate in discussion, view posted materials etc. as part of the online program.
Can I work full-time while a graduate student?
Particularly in the clinical options, full-time employment is not recommended for those students who are enrolled full-time. Faculty make this recommendation because of the program’s academic rigor and required practicum hours. If you financially must work full-time, students in the clinical options should enroll in the part-time option and/or seek other grants or scholarships.
What type of student is successful in an online program?
A student who is successful in an online environment is one who is self-motivated and an independent learner. Students must have working knowledge of using the computer and internet. In addition the student must have the desire to learn and grow into a new/expanded professional role.
What about faculty? If this is an online program, how available are faculty if I have problems or questions?
Faculty members are available Monday through Friday (and sometimes on weekends!). Faculty can be reached easily through email and usually answer any questions within 24 hours or sooner. Faculty are also available by web cam, phone or in person and are happy to set up meetings if you have questions or want to discuss something with them. Students have reported easier access to faculty than in the traditional classroom setting.
When do classes start?
For those students in the following options: Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Education, the first class is advanced pathobiology BIOL 563 which starts in the summer. This course is required for all students who have not taken a graduate level pathobiology course. This class is entirely online. See the graduate catalog and summer schedule for more information.
For those students in Nursing Leadership, the first classes begin in the Fall semester.
The Fall semester begins:
August 25, 2009.
August 24, 2010
August 23, 2011
August 28, 2012
Is there a required orientation?
There is a required online orientation consisting of participation in an online orientation “course” and an online web conference.
What about coming to Pocatello?
Students taking NURS 611 Advanced Assessment (CNL, CNS, FNP):
You will be required to attend one blocked intensive of 4-5 days in either Pocatello or Boise and another 1-2 days for testing at the end of the semester for testing. This course is foundational to the clinical roles and cannot be taken completely online.
FNP/CNS students: You are expected to travel to Pocatello or Boise once or twice a semester for on campus intensives. During this time you will have labs, testing and other activities that are often not conducive to online learning.
How many hours of clinical or practicum are required for the program?
FNP: There are over 800 clinical hours in the program. The number of hours each semester varies from 96 to 192 hours during regular coursework. The last semester in both the full-time and part-time program has over 400 clinical hours.
CNL and CNS: There are over 500 clinical hours in each of these programs. The number of hours each semester varies. Final practicum experiences are about 300 hours.
Leadership: Practicum hours are completed in the final year. During the fall semester 92 hours are completed with 192 in the final semester.
Education: A teaching practicum of about 300 hours is completed during the final semester.
Where do I do clinical/practicum? Can I choose my own clinical sites?
ISU faculty are responsible for arranging clinical sites based on student needs, availability of the preceptors, and the focus of the semester. Students may certainly request clinical sites but the final decision is made by the faculty. Clinical sites are arranged within 2 hours of your home base unless otherwise requested by the student.
What is the comprehensive exam?
The master’s thesis/project has been dropped in favor of a written and oral comprehensive exam taken during the final semester. The exam assesses student learning throughout the program. The written exam is completed online while the oral exam is completed either on campus or by video conference.
Our program has an evidence-based practice focus and all students will complete an evidence-based project during final practicum experiences.
How much is the tuition?
ISU fees are subject to change.
2009-2010 graduate fees are as follows:
Part time (1-8 credits): $297 per credit (resident); $437 per credit (non-resident)
Full time (> 9 credits): $3571 per semester (resident); $8472 (non-resident); does include health insurance which can be waived with proof of insurance (contact Crystal Ross at 208 282-2972)
A professional fee is also assessed each semester to support the online program.
Professional Graduate Nursing fee:
1-5 credits: $385 per semester
> 6 credits: $770 per semester
Are there any “hidden” costs?
All Students: High speed (2 Mb) internet access and a web camera with microphone or headset are required. In addition a handheld computer (either Palm or PocketPC) is required for practicum experiences.
Clinical Option Students: Once you begin clinical hours with NURS 611 you are required to purchase a good quality stethoscope. FNP students are also required to purchase an otoscope/opthalmoscope. All students who are in clinical courses are required to have a white lab coat. If you desire more information on these please talk to the faculty before making any purchases.
Is there any money available to help me with my education?
There are also a variety of scholarships and grants you may be eligible for – please contact the ISU Scholarship office http://www.isu.edu/scholar/
The School of Nursing usually receives Federal Traineeship money that is available for full-time students during the entire program and part-time students during their final semester. The amount of traineeship money varies each year but in the past about $500 has been available each semester per student.
FNP Students:
The National Health Service Corp awards scholarships (tuition and monthly stipends) and loan repayments. Students who receive these must serve a minimum of 2 years upon graduation in a health care shortage area. For more information on this go to http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/students.asp
How do I apply to the graduate program?
Applications are available on the website. Applications for the BS-MS pathway and the Post-Master’s Certificate program are due February 2 each year. Applications for the AD-MS pathway are due October 1 each year.