The programme at Idaho State University that enables college graduates to return to school and obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing is being expanded.

The university’s Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing degree programme is moving to Coeur d’Alene, it was revealed in a news release on Thursday. The programme has already trained students at ISU’s Pocatello and Meridian campuses.

ISU reports that 550 nursing students have graduated from the programme since it was established in 2002.

Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can use the programme to complete a new bachelor’s degree in nursing and proceed to become registered nurses.

At Kootenai Health, classes for the Coeur d’Alene programme will be held. For practical learning opportunities, students can also be placed at healthcare facilities in both urban and rural North Idaho.

“We are excited by this inaugural named partnership with Kootenai Health and understand that we could not have offered this innovative program without their support and collaboration,” said Teresa Conner, dean for the College of Health at ISU. “It truly opens doors for accelerated nursing education and the ability to address the critical nursing shortage in North Idaho.”

The program’s first year, which will start the next year and run a full year, will be open to ten students. Up to 40 students may enrol in the programme in Pocatello and up to 50 in Meridian.

Idaho is lacking in nurses and other medical specialists. Rural communities, however, are more severely affected by the nurse shortage. According to a recent article from the Idaho Capital Sun, many registered nurses in Idaho reside in or close to Boise.

Kelly Espinoza, chief nursing officer for Kootenai Health, said, “We are pleased to welcome ISU’s nursing students to beautiful northern Idaho, and to our health system.”