North Idaho College Nursing Program Shapes Veterans and Career Changers into Idaho Health Care Professionals
North Idaho College’s Registered Nursing Program in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is drawing national recognition while producing a steady pipeline of health care workers for Kootenai County and the broader Pacific Northwest — and for veterans like Rathdrum resident Spencer Taylor, it represents a direct path from military service to a civilian health care career.
From Combat Medic to Nursing Student in North Idaho
Taylor, 36, spent eight years in the U.S. Navy as a combat medic, including a deployment to Afghanistan. After leaving the military, he worked as a certified nursing assistant and as a scribe in the emergency room at Kootenai Health before enrolling in NIC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. He is set to graduate in December 2026.
“I love caring for people,” Taylor said. “I was molded for this.”
Taylor’s long-range plan reflects the program’s built-in flexibility. After completing his associate degree at NIC, he plans to transfer to Lewis-Clark State College to earn a bachelor of science in nursing, then continue to Gonzaga University to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
“NIC has provided a clear path for me,” Taylor said. “It’s been amazing, close to home, a top-notch program and affordable.”
His story is not unusual at NIC. The Coeur d’Alene campus draws students from across Kootenai County, including many career changers and military veterans looking for practical, locally accessible education without relocating or taking on excessive debt.
Program Performance Among the Best in Idaho and the Nation
NIC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program graduates two cohorts per year, each containing more than 40 students. Over the past two decades, the program has maintained greater than 90% first-attempt pass rates on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam — a benchmark that has ranked NIC among the best nursing programs in Idaho and in the top 100 nationally.
The program’s reputation carries weight with regional employers. Taylor noted that major health care providers in the area specifically seek out NIC graduates.
“Most of the employers in our region, including Kootenai Health, and even the Spokane hospitals prefer students who have been through NIC’s nursing program,” Taylor said.
NIC Interim Nursing Program Coordinator Sharon Funkhouser said the program is structured to move students into the workforce quickly. Many second-year students are hired as nurse techs, interns, or apprentices at local hospitals while still completing their coursework, converting to full-time positions upon graduation. A large majority also secure residency placements before they finish their degree.
“There’s so much opportunity for nursing students in North Idaho,” Funkhouser said. “Our students can go out and carve out a great career right away or continue their education while staying close to home.”
Funkhouser added that many NIC nursing graduates dual-enroll with Lewis-Clark State College, completing their bachelor’s degree as quickly as three to six months after finishing at NIC.
New University of Idaho Partnership to Expand Access
NIC and the University of Idaho signed an agreement on April 15 supporting the launch of a direct-entry master of science in nursing program in Coeur d’Alene, set to launch in fall 2027. The program is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and are seeking to enter the profession. The two-year, full-time program will prepare graduates for RN licensure while awarding a master’s degree — expanding entry points into nursing for career changers across North Idaho and the state.
NIC President Nick Swayne highlighted the program’s strength and the significance of the new partnership. “We’ve built an incredible program over here,” Swayne said. “The nursing program at NIC is tough but our students are set up for success and have great career flexibility upon graduation.”
“This partnership reflects the strength of what we can accomplish together,” Swayne added. “By continuing to build options with our partners, we are expanding access to nursing education while strengthening the health care workforce for North Idaho.”
The new master’s program builds on existing community momentum around health care workforce development in Kootenai County, where institutions like Kootenai Health continue to face high demand for skilled nursing professionals. NIC has also recently hosted community events such as a U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors performance on campus, reflecting its broader role as a civic hub in the region.
What Comes Next for NIC Nursing Students
Students interested in NIC’s Registered Nursing Program can find information at nic.edu/programs/nursing-rn/. The University of Idaho direct-entry master of science in nursing program in Coeur d’Alene is scheduled to begin accepting students ahead of its fall 2027 launch. As North Idaho’s health care sector continues to grow, graduates from NIC’s program are positioned to fill critical roles across the Panhandle — and, like Spencer Taylor, many are choosing to build their careers right here at home.