BYU-Idaho Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Pre-licensure BSN nursing at Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg: faith-informed mission, clinical partnerships, and a clear path to RN licensure. Confirm current NCLEX data with the Idaho Board of Nursing and verify tuition, deadlines, and prerequisites with the Department of Public Health & Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
BYU-Idaho’s pre-licensure BSN combines campus simulation with clinical placements at multiple Idaho hospitals (including Madison Memorial and EIRMC). The program publishes competitive NCLEX outcomes; always confirm the latest rates with the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose BYU-Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho sits in Rexburg in eastern Idaho’s Upper Snake River Plain, within reach of regional referral centers and community hospitals that support undergraduate clinical education. The Department of Public Health & Nursing offers a single pre-licensure nursing pathway—the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.)—designed to prepare new graduates for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level RN practice in a mission-aligned, cohort-based environment.
Unlike universities that stack many graduate nursing tracks on one page, BYU-Idaho’s public nursing materials center on that pre-licensure BSN: four semesters of prerequisites, then four consecutive nursing semesters on campus. If you need an RN-to-BSN completion or an accelerated second-degree option, confirm availability directly with the department—those pathways are not the focus of the program’s primary public pages.
BYU-Idaho publishes NCLEX pass-rate highlights on its About page and in university news. For official annual first-time NCLEX-RN rates as reported to regulators, use the Idaho Board of Nursing NCLEX score reports (PDF). Confirm all outcomes with the Board and the school.
Reasons students choose BYU-Idaho
CCNE-accredited BSN
The baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with institutional accreditation through NWCCU—verify current status on the program’s About page.
Regional hospital partnerships
The university reports clinical partnerships with more than nine hospitals, including Madison Memorial Hospital, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC), and Bingham Memorial Hospital.
Simulation & skills practice
Students train in on-campus simulation suites and nursing labs alongside community clinical rotations—see the department’s news and About materials for how skills and simulation are integrated.
Documented NCLEX momentum
BYU-Idaho’s August 2024 news article reported four consecutive semesters at 98%+ first-attempt NCLEX averages for recent cohorts, with 219 first-time passers called out in that story. Confirm current cohort results with the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Transparent application rhythm
Fall, winter, and spring BSN application deadlines are published on the prospective-student page, and the program describes typical applicant and admission volumes on its About page.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects what BYU-Idaho highlights on its Department of Public Health & Nursing and pre-licensure BSN pages as of this review. Program taxonomy: pre-licensure BSN only; delivery is on-campus in Rexburg for the nursing sequence.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.) — Pre-Licensure
Four semesters of prerequisites followed by four consecutive nursing semesters; prepares graduates to sit for NCLEX-RN. Offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring tracks; core nursing courses run sequentially with no deferments per the prospective-student page.
Post-licensure & graduate
MSN, DNP, and RN-to-BSN programs are not listed on BYU-Idaho’s primary nursing landing pages reviewed for this guide. If BYU-Idaho adds or advertises additional pathways, confirm titles and delivery directly in the academic catalog and the Department of Public Health & Nursing.
Listings follow the school’s public “Nursing: Pre-licensure (B.S.)” materials. Do not assume RN-to-BSN or graduate nursing unless the catalog confirms them for your entry year.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Idaho Board of Nursing (authoritative annual reporting): Idaho publishes NCLEX score data for approved programs. For the most current first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for BYU-Idaho by reporting year, use the Idaho Board of Nursing’s NCLEX score reports (for example, the January 2025 “BON NCLEX Scores” PDF on the Board’s site). Confirm the exact percentage, cohort size, and year in that document.
BYU-Idaho (school-reported snapshots): The department’s About page lists summary figures (for example, it highlights a 100% pass rate for 2023 alongside earlier years). A BYU-Idaho news article dated August 1, 2024, reported semester-level first-attempt averages of 100% for Winter–Fall 2023 cohorts and 98% for Winter 2024, and noted 219 graduates passing on the first attempt across four consecutive semesters at 98%+.
For context on how BYU-Idaho compares to other Idaho programs, consult the same Idaho Board of Nursing reports rather than informal national averages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Official annual first-time NCLEX-RN rate | See current figure in the Idaho Board of Nursing NCLEX score report PDF (confirm program name: Brigham Young University–Idaho). |
| School-reported highlight (example) | August 2024 BYU-Idaho news: four consecutive semesters at 98%+ first-attempt NCLEX averages; 219 first-time passers referenced in that article. Not a substitute for Board-reported annual rates. |
| Source | Idaho Board of Nursing (NCLEX reports). BYU-Idaho About and BYU-Idaho newsroom (school-reported). Confirm current data with the Board and the school. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting period. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Idaho Board of Nursing and BYU-Idaho.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
BYU-Idaho follows university-wide admissions policies for English proficiency and academic records. The pre-licensure BSN prospective-student page points applicants to general admissions English requirements for students not educated in an English-language curriculum. Use the checklist below as a starting point only—this is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Follow BYU-Idaho Admissions policies for TOEFL/IELTS or other accepted exams and minimum scores.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Confirm whether the university requires WES, SpanTran, or another evaluator for international transcripts.
- Idaho Board of Nursing: For RN licensure eligibility, clinical requirements, and NCLEX paperwork, review current Idaho BON rules independent of admission to the university.
- Immigration & visa: Confirm F-1 eligibility, enrollment requirements, and whether clinical courses are compatible with your visa status.
Policies change frequently. Verify with BYU-Idaho’s admissions and international-student offices and the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
BYU-Idaho’s pre-licensure BSN is a limited-enrollment major: students complete foundational coursework, meet science grade rules, then apply to the professional nursing sequence. The department publishes cohort sizing context on its About page (for example, roughly 64 students admitted per semester and about 95 applicants considered per semester on average—confirm whether those figures are still current).
Prerequisites & grades (from the prospective-student page): Core science courses (including BIO 264/265 series) must be completed with B- or higher; other prerequisites and major courses require C- or higher unless policy updates say otherwise. Core prerequisites must be complete or in progress at application as specified. Students may repeat at most two nursing prerequisite core courses total. An American Heart Association BLS provider card is required with the application.
Entrance exams: Effective February 16, 2026, the program no longer requires the Pre-Admission A2 HESI exam. If you are applying for an earlier cohort, confirm whether legacy HESI rules still apply.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | February 15 | Pre-licensure BSN application deadline published on the prospective-student page. |
| Winter | May 28 | Confirm any updates on the official page. |
| Spring | October 15 | Applicants returning from missionary service should apply after completing their mission, per BYU-Idaho guidance. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage. The About page cites approximate applicants considered vs. seats admitted—use that for a rough sense and confirm with the department. |
| Grade expectations | B- or higher in specified biology courses; C- or higher in other listed prerequisites and major courses unless the catalog changes. |
| TEAS / HESI | HESI A2 not required for admission decisions for applicants on or after February 16, 2026. TEAS not listed as required on pages reviewed. |
Applicant tips
Plan prerequisite sequencing early (including chemistry/math placement via ALEKS where applicable). Complete BLS before the application deadline. Because seats are capped, prioritize strong performance in the listed core sciences and avoid unnecessary repeats that consume your allowed retakes.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
BYU-Idaho charges different tuition for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints versus non-members for many campus programs. Figures below come from the university’s Tuition & Expenses page (cost-of-attendance tables reference the 2024–2025 academic year on that page). Confirm the latest rates for your entry term before budgeting.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Campus on-track semester (12+ credits) | LDS member: $2,472 per semester ($206/credit). Non-LDS: $4,944 per semester ($412/credit). |
| Total cost of attendance (example) | BYU-Idaho publishes semester COA estimates (tuition plus housing, food, books, transportation, etc.) for campus students—see the same Tuition & Expenses page for single students vs. married students and on- vs. off-campus housing. |
| Source | BYU-Idaho Tuition & Expenses. Confirm current amounts with the Financial Aid office. |
Financial aid
BYU-Idaho participates in federal aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships, and Idaho state aid programs for eligible residents. Start with the Financial Aid office and the program’s consumer-information pages for net-price tools.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Graduates of the pre-licensure BSN sit for NCLEX-RN and enter staff nurse roles across Idaho and the Mountain West. Use Idaho Board of Nursing reports for official pass-rate history; use BYU-Idaho’s news and About pages for school-narrated cohort stories.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN | See Idaho Board of Nursing NCLEX reports for annual first-time pass rates. Supplemental school-reported semester summaries appear in BYU-Idaho news (e.g., August 2024 article on 98%+ semesters). |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed for this guide. Check BYU-Idaho career services or outcomes disclosures if available. |
| Source | Confirm current outcomes with BYU-Idaho and the Idaho Board of Nursing. |
Is BYU-Idaho the Right Fit for You?
BYU-Idaho’s nursing program blends rigorous science preparation with a mission-driven campus culture. Self-select honestly: the Rexburg location, faith-based environment, and sequential lock-step nursing curriculum are strengths for some students and constraints for others.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a pre-licensure BSN with regional hospital clinicals and strong published NCLEX momentum.
- Prefer a smaller university town and a campus culture aligned with BYU-Idaho’s mission and standards.
- Can commit to four consecutive nursing semesters without deferring once admitted to the major.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need an online or part-time pre-licensure option (the BSN sequence is campus-based in Rexburg).
- Are seeking RN-to-BSN, MSN, or DNP programs prominently advertised here—those are not the focus of BYU-Idaho’s public nursing pages.
- Require a program outside BYU-Idaho’s published faith-based community expectations—review university standards before applying.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Eastern Idaho combines community hospitals with a regional referral center, giving nursing students exposure to varied acuity levels. Madison County’s Madison Memorial Hospital, Idaho Falls’ Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, and Blackfoot’s Bingham Memorial Hospital are explicitly named as partners in BYU-Idaho’s 2024 nursing news article—confirm whether additional sites rotate into your cohort.
Statewide, Idaho continues to recruit nurses for rural and urban facilities alike; Rexburg’s location places graduates within driving distance of Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and the broader Intermountain West job market, though individual offers depend on the hiring cycle.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Madison Memorial Hospital | Community hospital in Rexburg; referenced as a BYU-Idaho clinical partner in university news. |
| Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) | Regional medical center in Idaho Falls; named partner for student clinical experiences. |
| Bingham Memorial Hospital | Blackfoot facility named among BYU-Idaho’s hospital partners. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
BYU-Idaho emphasizes discipleship, student employment pathways, and undergraduate teaching over graduate research volume. Nursing students access on-campus simulation suites and skills labs described in university communications, plus societies and student-life structures typical of the Rexburg campus.
The Department of Public Health & Nursing also hosts BSN societies (see the department site) for peer connection and service. For the most current student experience details, review the department’s Societies page and campus life resources.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Rexburg, ID
- Address
- 210 W 4th S, Rexburg, ID 83460, US (university mailing address)
- Telephone
- (208) 496-1411 (main BYU-Idaho)
- Nursing office
- (208) 496-4551 (department office—confirm role)
- Contact email
- potterst@byui.edu (office manager; confirm current routing)
- Website
- Department of Public Health & Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the BSN prospective students page end-to-end, including prerequisite sequencing and application deadlines.
- Compare your transcripts to the prerequisite table and catalog; note B- requirements in biology courses.
- Complete or schedule American Heart Association BLS before your application deadline.
- Confirm whether HESI applies to your cohort (not required for applicants on or after February 16, 2026).
- Download the latest Idaho Board of Nursing NCLEX PDF to see official year-over-year pass rates.
- Email or call the nursing office with questions about cohort size, clinical sites, or missionary deferrals.
- Add the Fall/Winter/Spring application deadlines to your calendar with reminders two weeks in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BYU-Idaho a good school for nursing?
BYU-Idaho offers a CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN with clinical partnerships across eastern Idaho and publishes strong NCLEX outcomes in university and news materials. Confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Idaho Board of Nursing and BYU-Idaho.
What GPA do you need for BYU-Idaho nursing?
You must earn at least B- in specified biology courses and at least C- in other prerequisites and major courses unless policies change. Confirm current grade rules in the catalog and with the department.
Does BYU-Idaho require the TEAS or HESI?
As of February 16, 2026, the Pre-Admission A2 HESI exam is not required for nursing admission. TEAS is not listed as a requirement on the prospective-student page reviewed.
How competitive is admission to BYU-Idaho nursing?
The program publishes approximate volumes (for example, about 64 seats per semester and about 95 applicants considered on average per the About page). A single acceptance-rate percentage is not publicly disclosed—plan for a selective process.
Does BYU-Idaho offer an accelerated BSN?
Public materials emphasize the standard pre-licensure BSN. Accelerated options are not highlighted on the primary pages reviewed—verify with the department if you hold a prior bachelor’s degree.
What are clinical placement sites for BYU-Idaho nursing students?
BYU-Idaho names more than nine hospitals, including Madison Memorial Hospital, EIRMC, and Bingham Memorial Hospital.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for BYU-Idaho nursing?
Use Idaho Board of Nursing annual NCLEX reports for official rates. BYU-Idaho’s About page and August 2024 news article provide additional school-reported semester summaries—confirm current cohort data with the Board and the school.
References
- BYU-Idaho — Department of Public Health & Nursingbyui.edu/public-health-and-nursing
- BYU-Idaho — BSN prospective studentsPre-licensure BSN
- BYU-Idaho — About & NCLEX highlightsAbout the department
- BYU-Idaho — Tuition & ExpensesTuition & Expenses
- BYU-Idaho Newsroom — NCLEX (Aug 2024)NCLEX news article
- Idaho Board of Nursingdopl.idaho.gov/bon (NCLEX reports, e.g., BON NCLEX Scores PDF)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX sourcing alignment, program-list accuracy against BYU-Idaho’s public nursing pages, and tuition figures against the university’s Tuition & Expenses page.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Published: March 23, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 23, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy