A Rathdrum resident and Navy veteran is advancing his health care career through North Idaho College’s nursing program after eight years of military service that included a deployment to Afghanistan as a combat medic.
Spencer Taylor, 36, is set to graduate from NIC’s Registered Nursing Program in December 2026. The former Navy medic plans to continue his education at Lewis-Clark State College for a bachelor of science in nursing degree before pursuing certification as a registered nurse anesthetist at Gonzaga University.
From Military Medicine to Civilian Nursing
Before enrolling at NIC, Taylor worked as a certified nursing assistant and as a scribe in the emergency room at Kootenai Health, building on his military medical background. He said the college offered an accessible pathway close to home.
NIC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program graduates more than 80 students annually across two cohorts. The program has maintained pass rates above 90 percent on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam for over two decades and frequently ranks among the top 100 programs nationally.
High Employment Rates for Local Graduates
Most graduates from the program remain in the region, working at hospitals, clinics and surgery centers throughout the Pacific Northwest. According to NIC Interim Nursing Program Coordinator Sharon Funkhouser, many second-year students secure positions as nurse technicians, interns or apprentices at local hospitals before completing their degrees.
Funkhouser said a significant number of students receive job offers for residency programs before graduation. Regional employers, including Kootenai Health and Spokane-area hospitals, actively recruit from NIC’s nursing program.
Partnership Expands Advanced Nursing Education
NIC and the University of Idaho signed an agreement on April 15, 2026, to launch a direct-entry master of science in nursing program in Coeur d’Alene beginning fall 2027. The program targets individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields and want to transition into the nursing profession.
The two-year, full-time program will prepare graduates for registered nurse licensure while awarding a master’s degree. NIC President Nick Swayne said the partnership addresses critical nursing shortages across North Idaho and throughout Idaho.
Fast-Track Options Available
Many NIC nursing students dual-enroll with Lewis-Clark State College, allowing them to complete a bachelor of science in nursing within three to six months after finishing their associate degree at NIC. This pathway provides flexibility for students pursuing advanced certifications or specialized nursing roles.
Impact on Kootenai County Health Care
The nursing program’s success directly benefits Kootenai County and North Idaho by supplying trained health care professionals to local medical facilities. With consistent high pass rates and strong employer relationships, NIC graduates fill critical positions throughout the region’s health care system.
More information about North Idaho College’s Registered Nursing Program is available at nic.edu/programs/nursing-rn/.