Are you looking for RN, LPN and CNA jobs in Idaho? Learn more about picking up part-time and per diem RN, LPN and CNA Jobs at Idaho healthcare facilities.
StatesAre you looking for RN, LPN and CNA jobs in Idaho? Learn more about picking up part-time and per diem RN, LPN and CNA Jobs at Idaho healthcare facilities.
Nurses, nursing assistants, and nursing students in Idaho, this guide is for you! This ultimate guide to Idaho covers everything from the best nursing programs to average salaries and the cost of living in this state. Also, learn about the highest-paying cities for nursing professionals and the cheapest cities to live in. All this and more in this ultimate guide to Idaho for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).
Aren’t yet a nurse? To become a nurse in Idaho, you must follow these two steps: complete a nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). After you pass the NCLEX, you will receive your nursing license and can begin searching for nursing jobs.
First things first: choosing a nursing program. Before you begin comparing different nursing programs, you must decide what type of nurse you want to become. Do you want to become a nurse as quickly as possible? Then, you should opt for a practical nursing program which takes approximately one year to complete and qualifies nurses to pass the NCLEX-PN and become licensed practical nurses or LPNs.
Are you willing to study for one more year to become an RN? In that case, you can choose an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). An ADN will qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse after just two years of study.
Want to increase your job opportunities and earn a higher salary as a nurse? Then a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) would be the best choice for you. BSNs also set nurses up to continue their studies. Nurses with BSNs can easily move on to a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs earn the highest possible nursing salaries and also enjoy greater autonomy.
Have you decided to pursue a practical nursing license? If so, your next step will be to choose a nursing program. Although there are many factors that will contribute to your choice of school, we will help you make the decision by presenting the LPN programs available in Idaho in order from the highest to the lowest first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates in 2022. In other words, the first schools on this list were the most successful in preparing students to pass the NCLEX-PN and obtain their practical nursing licenses:
Source: State of Idaho Board of Nursing
Aiming for an RN license from the get-go? Requiring only one more year of study than a practical nursing program, an ADN program is an excellent option for aspiring nurses to have greater responsibilities and earn higher salaries from the beginning of their careers. To help you choose the best ADN program in Idaho, here are the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of all the ADN programs in Idaho, in order from the highest to the lowest pass rates in 2022:
Source: State of Idaho Board of Nursing
If the cost and time commitment of a BSN is within your possibilities, we say go for it! Once you graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN, you will have more job opportunities and higher salaries than LPNs or RNs with associate’s degrees. Here are the schools offering BSN degrees in Idaho and their respective first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in 2022:
Source: State of Idaho Board of Nursing
Now, there is one more option we haven’t yet covered: becoming a certified nursing assistant. Frankly, anyone who wants to become a nurse should consider becoming a CNA first. CNA training programs can take as little as four weeks. After this time, you can begin working in the nursing field, acquiring nursing experience and making money while you’re at it! You can even work as a CNA during nursing school, picking up per diem nursing shifts that fit your schedule. As if these benefits weren’t enough, registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees and previous experience working as CNAs can earn $3,400 to $7,700 more per year than their counterparts without this experience, based on a 2016 study.
Want to know how much you can make as a CNA in Idaho? Here are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages for CNAs in the Gem State:
As useful as averages are, they don’t tell the whole story. New CNAs earn less than more experienced CNAs. Furthermore, the city and facility where you work can also significantly affect average CNA salary. With this in mind, here are the different salary tiers for CNAs in Idaho, from the lowest-paid ten percent to the highest-paid CNAs:
Want to nearly double your hourly rate as a CNA? Check out these high-paying per diem CNA jobs in Idaho today!
As we mentioned before, where you work will make a big difference in your salary. Want to know where you can earn the best CNA salary in Idaho? Here are the average CNA salaries in different areas of Idaho in order from the highest- to the lowest-paying locations:
Are you a licensed practical nurse? Here are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual wages for LPNs in Idaho:
Once again, averages do not tell the whole story. LPNs in Idaho can increase their salary by over $20,000 with a combination of factors, such as years of work experience and nursing certifications, among others. Here are the salary tiers in Idaho from the lowest- to the highest-paid LPNs:
Another important factor determining LPN pay is the type of contract nurses have. In general, per diem and travel nurses earn more per hour than staff nurses. Through Nursa’s per diem staffing app, nurses can nearly double the average hourly rate for LPNs in Idaho!
Want to learn more about the factors influencing LPN salary? Read the Ultimate Guide to LPN Pay [Updated 2023].
One of the main factors influencing LPN pay is location. Simply by moving to another city, a licensed practical nurse could increase their salary by around $8,000! Want to know which are the highest-paying cities in Idaho? Take a look at average LPN salaries in Idaho here:
If you’re an RN or studying to become one, congratulations! You can aspire to the highest pay of all the nurses in this guide. The following are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual RN wages in Idaho:
Now, it’s important to note that most entry-level RN positions pay less than the average RN salary in Idaho—and some RNs earn significantly more than the average as well. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you will fall into one of the following salary tiers for RNs in Idaho:
Do you think you’ll fall into the lower salary percentiles? Don’t worry! There are ways to significantly increase your nurse pay besides working for decades. Browse per diem RN jobs available in Idaho today and earn over $65 per hour!
Want to learn more about the factors influencing nurse pay? Read our Nurse Salary Guide: Understand How Much You Can Make as a Nurse.
Wondering what difference a zip code can make? Well, for RNs in Idaho, location can make a difference of over $10,000 annually! Here are average RN salaries in Idaho from highest to lowest:
Full disclosure: Idaho is not the highest paying state. However, it does have a low cost of living, which is just as important as salary. The living wage for a single adult in Idaho is $16.07 per hour, meaning that a single adult needs to earn at least this much to cover basic living expenses in this state. Keep in mind that if you are not single or do not live alone, your living wage will vary significantly, especially if you have children.
If you are a single parent, these are the hourly wages required to single-handedly support one or more kids in Idaho:
Do you have help with the kids at home but need to earn the entire family income? Here are the hourly wages required for households with two adults (one working) and one or more children:
Are there two of you working to support one or more kids? These are the living wages for households with two working adults and one or more children:
The next logical question is “Where does the money go?” Just as average salaries vary from place to place, so do typical living expenses. Here is the breakdown of typical living expenses in Idaho in households composed of one adult with and without children:
Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2020. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/16
An additional adult in the household increases some expenses but lowers others. Here are the typical living expenses in Idaho households composed of two adults (one working) with and without children:
Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2020. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/16
Finally, although they have to pay more for childcare than families with stay-at-home parents, families with two working adults are able to split living expenses, thereby significantly lowering each person’s required living wage. Here are the typical living expenses in Idaho households with two working adults, with and without children:
Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2020. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/16
Just as attractive as high-paying cities are cities with a low cost of living. Therefore, when choosing a place to live and work as a nurse, always factor in the cost of living in each location. Here are the required hourly and annual living wages in different cities in Idaho:
Source: Table created with data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
Finally, here is the moment of truth. The following table shows a comparison of the annual living wage in different cities in Idaho and the average CNA, LPN, and RN salaries in each location. With this information, you can determine which city in Idaho can offer you the best quality of life, based on both the cost of living and the average salaries in that city:
Table created based on data from the MIT living wage calculator and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As is the case in many states, the average CNA salary alone is not enough to make ends meet in Idaho. If you rely on a CNA salary, consider supplementing your income with high-paying per diem shifts.
On the other hand, single LPNs and RNs make more than enough to cover living expenses in any city in Idaho. That said, remember that the living wage increases with each dependant, so you must compare your particular living wage with the average CNA, LPN, or RN pay in each city.
If you’re here because you are contemplating a move to Idaho, let us tell you a little about what this state has to offer. Here are some must-see Idaho attractions:
If you visit or live in Idaho, you should keep a towel and a bathing suit in the car at all times. Thanks to Idaho’s unique geological location, you can literally be driving down a road and come across a hot spring, so keep your eyes open for steam rising from nearby rivers!
Some of these hot springs can be found at luxurious resorts, and others are free all-natural pools of hot water—you might just have to pay for nearby parking. You can camp near the hot springs or simply enjoy a quick dip. Furthermore, this is an attraction you can enjoy all year! Here are some of the best hot springs in Idaho:
Learn more about these and other must-visit hot springs in Idaho here.
Did you always dream of visiting Niagara Falls? Well, Twin Falls, Idaho, happens to have one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States: Shoshone Falls. In fact, at 212 feet tall, Shoshone Falls is even higher than Niagara Falls.
Shoshone Falls has been a popular tourist destination since the mid-nineteenth century when travelers along the Oregon Trail would go out of their way to visit the Falls. Visit in spring, when the snowpack begins to melt. Also, click here for a list of more waterfalls in the Twin Falls area.
The National Park Service describes this natural attraction as “weird and scenic.” So, if you are a nature lover and appreciate all things weird, read on! This preserved area in southern Idaho is a field of lava scattered with sagebrush. You can hike the trails and explore the caves along the park’s seven-mile loop road, or you can venture into the wilderness.
This park is open throughout the year offering unique opportunities during each season. In June, wildflowers are at their peak and the moderate temperatures allow for longer hikes into the wilderness. During the height of summer, hiking is recommended during the mornings, and exploring the cool caves is perfect for the hot afternoons. Fall offers the best weather to visit this park with cooler temperatures and less wind. It’s also a less crowded time of the year—and don’t forget the fall colors. Finally, during the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
It is true: Idaho is not one of the top ten best-paying states for nurses. However, nurses in this state can enjoy a relatively low cost of living. Furthermore, LPNs and RNs can make a comfortable living in any city in Idaho. Unfortunately, CNA salary in Idaho—as well as nationwide—is usually not quite enough to make a comfortable living. That said, there are ways for CNAs to significantly increase their income, including high-paying per diem jobs.
In fact, per diem nursing jobs are a great way to experience living and working in different states or cities, as well as working in different facilities and nursing roles. If you haven’t yet, download our per diem nursing app today!
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