Boise is one of the fastest-growing metros in the Mountain West, and its healthcare infrastructure is expanding to keep pace. St. Luke's Health System — headquartered in Boise — and Saint Alphonsus together dominate a regional market serving southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Rapid population growth means rising demand across every care setting: hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and home health agencies throughout the Treasure Valley.
For Idaho students, practical nursing offers one of the quickest routes into that market — and Idaho's LAUNCH grant program can provide up to $8,000 toward eligible career training.
Imagine America has partnered with Carrington College in Boise, ID — a 50,600-square-foot campus with simulation labs and a public dental hygiene clinic. The Boise Practical Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and holds full approval from the Idaho Board of Nursing.
About Imagine America Foundation (IAF)
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) is a nonprofit organization supporting students pursuing career-oriented education at recognized trade schools and career colleges across the U.S. Since 1982, the Foundation has helped students navigate the financial aspects of technical and vocational training.
IAF provides scholarship programs including the Imagine America High School Scholarship for graduating seniors, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) for adult learners, and the Military Award Program (MAP) for veterans. The Foundation also offers financial literacy guidance, career exploration tools, and resources for choosing the right program.
Over $10 million in tuition assistance is provided annually to students attending career and technical colleges nationwide.
Start Your Practical Nursing Career with Carrington College
Carrington College's Practical Nursing program in Boise prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses in as few as 12 months, combining coursework, simulation lab training, and supervised clinical experience. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN.
- Certificate in as few as 12 months
- ACEN-accredited with full Idaho Board of Nursing approval
- NCLEX-PN preparation built into the curriculum
- Nursing Bridge on the same campus — LPNs can advance toward RN later
What You'll Learn
Students cover nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and patient care across the lifespan, practicing skills in campus simulation labs before applying them in supervised clinical rotations at Treasure Valley healthcare facilities.
Licensure and Credentials
Graduates earn a certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national exam for LPN licensure. The program's ACEN accreditation — nursing's programmatic gold standard — supports license portability and future education.
The Path to RN
Boise also hosts Carrington's ACEN-accredited Nursing Bridge program, which lets working LPNs advance toward an associate degree and RN licensure without leaving the campus where they trained.
Career Outlook in the Treasure Valley
LPNs work in skilled nursing facilities, clinics, hospitals, and home health across the Boise metro. With St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus anchoring one of the Mountain West's fastest-growing healthcare markets, demand for licensed nurses continues to climb.
Training Services
- Nursing Fundamentals & Patient Care
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Nursing Care Across the Lifespan
- Clinical Simulation Lab Training
- Supervised Clinical Rotations
- NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation
- Pathway to Nursing Bridge (LPN to RN)
Specialized Training
- Nursing Bridge Program available on campus (ACEN-accredited)
Take the First Step Toward Your Career Today
A strong foundation from the right training program sets the stage for a successful career. Explore training programs, meet expert instructors, and discover how quality education can lead to a rewarding future.
Start Your Nursing Career TodayFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Practical Nursing program at Carrington Boise?
The certificate program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Is the Boise program accredited?
Yes. The Practical Nursing program at Boise is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and holds full approval from the Idaho Board of Nursing.
Can I use Idaho LAUNCH for this program?
Carrington College Boise is an Idaho LAUNCH grant provider — eligible Idaho residents may receive up to $8,000 toward career training. Imagine America scholarships can also be combined with other aid.
Can LPNs advance to RN at Carrington Boise?
Yes. The Boise campus offers Carrington's ACEN-accredited Nursing Bridge program, designed for LPNs advancing toward an associate degree and RN licensure.
