Boise State University School of Nursing

07/29/2026

Student -> respiratory therapist -> nurse -> professor. 💙🧡

When Jen Mimish didn't make it into our on-campus nursing program in the early 2000s, she earned her bachelor's in respiratory therapy from Boise State, instead. Years later, Mimish returned to the university as an RN-BS student, balancing full-time work in the NICU and raising kids.

"I always felt very supported in everything I did at Boise State," Mimish said. "You're guaranteed to get quality education in this program."

She went on to earn her doctorate, became a certified healthcare simulation educator, and an advanced practice nurse. Finally, Mimish returned to the School of Nursing to teach in the very program she once couldn't get into!

Mimish's journey proves that closed doors aren't the end of the story.

"Based on my personal experience, it's not always the right time for people," she said. "So if you don't get in, that doesn't mean you'll never get in. It doesn't mean that you're not going to be successful in the future…it's not the end."

Read her full journey at the Sprout link in our bio.

07/21/2026

Behind every healthy community is a nurse who cared enough to show up. For 70 years, Boise State nurses have been doing just that. 💙🧡

Our students have provided care in homeless shelters, conducted health screenings at migrant worker camps, and traveled internationally to learn from global healthcare systems. Faculty hold joint appointments with local health systems to bring research expertise directly to patient bedsides, and student projects have grown into lasting resources (like the Friendship Clinic, a community program that continues to serve the Treasure Valley today!).

Read the full story and discover our seven decades of community impact in Idaho and beyond: https://bit.ly/4anHr2V

07/15/2026

✨ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT✨

We connected with Bronco Nurse alum Jacob Allen to see what he's been up to since he graduated in 2022.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜?
I have worked on a Med/Surg floor for 3 years since graduating. I love the people I work with and have been able to grow my career in many ways by taking on the role of team lead, preceptor, and charge nurse. I also received my certification in med/surg nursing after working on the unit for 2 years.

This year I became a clinical instructor for Boise State as well. It has been a great experience so far and I am excited for future semesters!

𝙄𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙤𝙛?
Being nominated for a Nursing Excellence award two years in a row through St. Luke's has been such an honor. I am surrounded by great leadership and they have helped make me the nurse I am today!

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚’𝙨 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧?
Boise State's School of Nursing is set up in such a way to allow its students to succeed. Nursing school is A LOT, but you have so many resources available to you through Boise State. The teachers and instructors care about each student deeply and want to craft amazing nurses. Getting through school always felt like a team effort and we were all focused on the same goal: creating great future nurses!

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨?
Imposter syndrome is REAL. I still can't believe I am a nurse sometimes. Roll with the punches, take it one day at a time and always learn. I truly believe there is no such thing as a dumb question, so ask.

07/07/2026

From the school's earliest decades to today, our faculty have been embracing new technology for the sake of our students – it's all about offering them the highest-quality education. These relationships have shaped our history and continue to guide our future.

From glass syringes to telehealth simulations, read the full story of technology in the last 70 years of nursing education at Boise State: https://bit.ly/49cr48R

06/30/2026

"As an adult, non-traditional student, the money you spend is really important, and the quality of education you get for that is very important."

April Howell knows what it's like to balance work, family, and education. When she chose Boise State's RN-BS Online Completion program, she found more than flexibility: she found faculty who were always available, dual enrollment that allowed her to finish faster, and a program that prepared her for success in her career. The high-quality education made all the difference.

Years later after earning her DNP, April returned to Boise State – this time as a professor. Why? The student-centered culture.

"I've always felt like we're all invested for the student," she said.

Read April's inspiring story: https://www.boisestate.edu/nursing/2026/06/25/howell-rn-bs-student-to-faculty/

06/08/2026

Hands-on, high-impact, and all in.

Summer Intensives bring our nurse practitioner students to Boise to sharpen their clinical skills, build confidence, and put learning into practice. It was good to see our graduate students on campus!

05/26/2026

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Daisy Award winners, Marissa and Graysen!

Thousands of organizations across the world regularly partner with the Daisy Foundation to honor outstanding nurses. Our winners' names are engraved on a plaque alongside the names of all Boise State’s past recipients.
💙 🧡
Those who nominated Marissa for the Extraordinary Nursing Student Award said she deserved recognition "for her extraordinary commitment to nursing excellence and community service."

Marissa took initiative to secure grant funding for Stop the Bleed events and kits, and she collaborated with community partners to organize trainings and expand the program's reach.

"Marissa's work with Stop the Bleed initiatives particularly demonstrates her understanding that nursing extends beyond individual patient care to community health promotion and injury prevention. By teaching community members these critical skills, she's potentially saving lives before emergencies even reach healthcare facilities. This forward-thinking approach to public health showcases the kind of innovative, community-minded nurse she will become."

"Marissa is not just learning to be a nurse; she's already making a meaningful difference in our community while representing Boise State University with pride and distinction."
💙 🧡
Graysen is an adjunct instructor for Boise State. Students who nominated her for the Extraordinary Nursing Faculty Award said she "had such a positive impact" on them.

Graysen is encouraging, kind, and constantly finding new opportunities for students; she brought in organ donor faculty to teach them in-depth about the organ donation process, and taught them all about EKG rhythms and interpretations.

"I feel extremely comfortable going to her and asking questions - I never fear that she would pass judgement or making me feel silly for any sort of question or concern. She makes it evidently clear that we can always go to her if we are having any issues during clinical, and she will help sort it out.

Not only that, but she teaches with such passion and care - you can tell that the nursing profession is something that she is so passionate about, and she has the biggest heart when talking about patient-centered care. There is no doubt in my find that she is an amazing nurse and is 100% meant for this career..."

05/19/2026

Congrats Darci McCall! She is the first person from the College of Health Sciences to be recognized as a Boise State Provost's Teaching Scholar.

This recognition honors instructors for their exceptional teaching, as demonstrated through instructional design, instructional strategies and reflective practice. Faculty must also complete three certificates through either the Center for Teaching and Learning or eCampus Center.

To anyone who knows Darci, the recognition is well-deserved and comes as no surprise. She strives to enrich her students' learning by introducing them to current evidence-based practices and integrating new technologies.

Most recently, she developed an online simulation for RN-BS students studying Critical Issues in Obstetrics. She first started by developing an AI chatbot, but further developed it into a video-based AI simulation. Students talk with a patient experiencing postpartum depression to practice their therapeutic communication skills.

This spring, Darci developed two additional scenarios that allow students to practice conversations with patients' family members, as well as a guided debrief for thorough reflection.

"Darci McCall exemplifies our faculty mindset in the College of Health Sciences," Joelle Powers, dean of the College of Health Sciences, said. "Her dedication to ongoing professional development in how to deliver high quality courses is an example of how we put students at the core of our work in the college in order to develop high quality healthcare providers."

04/17/2026

REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Want to travel and earn class credit at the same time? Join us over Thanksgiving break for the next trip to Belize!

What will you do?
🔹Get hands-on experience in a mobile health clinic
🔸 Engage with local communities
🔹Visit ancient ruins and eat delicious food
🔸Expand your global perspective

The School of Nursing registration deadline is just two weeks away on April 30! Register today and earn credit for courses NURS 417, NURS 427, or NURS-RN 402.

Questions? DM us or click the contact us button our bio.

04/14/2026

Some patients face more barriers than most.
Our Online Vulnerable Populations Certificate isn't just for nurses!!
These interdisciplinary courses build the skills to deliver quality care where it matters.

Topics include:
Palliative Care, Health Literacy, Child Maltreatment, Substance Use, Aging & Vulnerability, Critical Issues in Obstetrics, Pediatric Ethical Issues, and Wellness and Resilience for Professionals

Ready?
https://www.boisestate.edu/nursing-rnbs/online-vulnerable-populations-certificate/

Explore populations that interest you and gain important knowledge to inform your professional practice Certificate...