1 Welcome, Introduction, and History
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to the Associate’s Degree Nursing (ADN) Program at North Idaho College (NIC). North Idaho College’s ADN Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level nursing positions in a variety of healthcare settings and to provide the foundation for advanced study. The program, which includes general education and nursing courses leading to an Associate of Science Degree, is approved by the Idaho State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Upon completion of degree requirements, the graduate is eligible to write the national examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse.
History
The Associate’s Degree Nursing Program at North Idaho College has a long history of academic excellence in preparing students to become registered nurses. On May 23, 1967, Dr. Perry Christianson, President of North Idaho College, called to order the first meeting of the Community Study Group on Nursing Education. This group consisted of citizens and members of agencies concerned with health care. At that meeting a sub-committee was appointed to study the “Associate of Arts Degree Program in Nursing,” investigating the possibility of establishing an associate degree nursing program in the fall of 1968.
On October 5, 1967, the committee met with Mrs. Marjorie Schlottenbeck, Executive Director of the Idaho State Board of Nursing. After reviewing and discussing various aspects of the proposed program, a motion was approved to plan and institute an Associate’s of Science Degree in Nursing in the fall of 1969.
In the interim, Dr. Christianson retired and Dr. Barry Schuler assumed the position as President of North Idaho College. Due to the change in college administration and the difficulty in locating a qualified director for the nursing program, no further direct planning took place until late winter of 1969.
In December of 1969, Mrs. Beverly Hatrock joined the college as a nursing consultant to perform a needs assessment survey of local health facilities and develop budgetary guidelines. In January of 1970, Dr. Schuler and Mrs. Hatrock requested a special appropriation from the Idaho Legislature in order to begin the program. In March of 1970, a special appropriation of $50,000 was granted to operate the program from March 1970 through June 1971, and Beverly Hatrock was appointed Director of Nursing Education.
With community support and assistance, Mrs. Hatrock began planning for the admission of students. Twenty-eight students were admitted to the first class in September of that year. The faculty consisted of two instructors and the Director. Kootenai Memorial Hospital, Sunset Terrace Nursing Home, Panhandle Health District, and Eastern Washington State Hospital served as clinical facilities that first year. The program was housed in a frame building, which previously served as offices for Idaho Forest Industries, and two additional faculty members were employed in September of 1971 as a second class of thirty-six students were enrolled. The addition of Region I Mental Health Center, Sacred Heart Medical Center, and Deaconess Hospital enlarged the clinical resources available to the program.
The first class of thirteen students graduated in May 1972. All passed the State Board Test Pool Examinations for Registered Nurse Licensure and attained the highest school mean score in the state.
In March of 1973, the nursing program was granted full accreditation by the National League for Nursing. The Winton Building was constructed adjacent to Post Hall providing classroom and laboratory space for the nursing program and housing for the first NIC Student Health Services.
In the spring of 2001, the Idaho legislature approved an $11.3 million appropriation for the construction of a Health and Sciences Building on the North Idaho College campus. The building, to be completed in the fall of 2005, was to house the R.N. and L.P.N. nursing programs, Health Professions programs and science classes foundational to the health sciences. In March of 2004, NIC broke ground for the Health and Sciences Building. The Meyer Health and Sciences Building was occupied in August 2005 where the 35th class to be admitted began their nursing education.