Lewis-Clark State College

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum builds core nursing knowledge and clinical skills while offering streams of study in clinical nursing practice, nursing administration and nursing research. Typical course areas include anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, adult and geriatric nursing, maternal‑child and paediatric nursing, mental health nursing, community and public health nursing, and leadership/management in nursing.

Program structure combines classroom lectures, skills laboratory work and progressive clinical practicums in healthcare settings. Students complete simulation‑based learning and supervised clinical rotations across acute care, long‑term care, community health and outpatient settings. Research methods and evidence‑based practice courses prepare students to apply and evaluate nursing research; administration modules cover organisational behaviour, quality improvement, healthcare policy and nursing leadership.

• Foundations of professional nursing and health assessment
• Clinical courses in medical‑surgical, maternal/child, paediatrics and mental health
• Pharmacology and pathophysiology
• Community/public health nursing and population health
• Nursing research, statistics and evidence‑based practice
• Nursing administration, healthcare policy and quality improvement
• Simulation labs and sequential clinical placements
• Capstone clinical practicum integrating practice, leadership and research skills

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet general college admission criteria and the BSN program's specific requirements. Typical requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent (or an associate degree for transfer applicants), completion of prerequisite courses such as human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, general chemistry, college‑level English and often a statistics course.

Competitive candidates usually demonstrate satisfactory college‑level GPAs and prerequisite course grades; the program also commonly requires an admissions assessment (for example a nursing entrance exam), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or interview. Before clinical placements, students must satisfy background checks, drug screening, immunisation requirements and CPR certification as required by clinical partners.

Lewis‑Clark State College accepts qualified transfer students, including those coming from associate degree nursing programmes or allied health pathways; applicants should consult the college for articulation policies and exact prerequisite and GPA thresholds.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX‑RN and begin careers as registered nurses across a range of settings. Common entry roles include staff nurse positions in medical‑surgical wards, critical care, emergency departments, maternal‑child and paediatrics, mental health services, home health and community public health.

With the BSN’s focus on leadership and research, graduates are also well placed to move into charge nurse and unit management roles, quality improvement and case management, or positions in public health, school nursing and outpatient care. The degree provides a foundation for graduate study leading to advanced practice roles (such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator or nurse administrator) and for positions in nursing research or healthcare administration.

Why study at Lewis‑Clark State College

Lewis‑Clark State College offers a close‑knit learning environment with relatively small nursing cohorts, enabling personalised instruction and faculty mentorship. The programme emphasises hands‑on clinical experience supported by simulation labs and partnerships with regional hospitals and community health providers in the Lewiston–Clarkston area and the Inland Northwest.

Students benefit from practical preparation for NCLEX success, integrated coursework in leadership and research, and access to career services and local clinical networks that support employment after graduation. The college’s regional focus and community relationships help students gain varied clinical placements and direct exposure to the rural and urban healthcare needs of the area.