The School of Nursing is launching a new Certificate in Vulnerable Populations. Students can enroll in summer courses to explore relevant trends and issues related to child maltreatment, health literacy, healthy aging, obstetrics, palliative care and substance use.
Students will learn the unique challenges and opportunities facing these populations. Earning the certificate will enhance quality, professional care they offer and help them make a difference in and out of healthcare settings.
The certificate program is seven credit hours and 100% online. It is available to students in their junior or senior year, and individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, like working nurses.
Curious about eligibility? Contact an advisor with questions and instructions for enrolling.
“This innovative certificate program lays the foundation for increasing attention to the unique needs of vulnerable populations,” said Lynn Nichols, director of the online RN-BS completion program. “Enrolling in this one-of-a-kind learning opportunity ensures students can gain insight and knowledge that will make a positive difference for the populations they serve.”
Nichols spearheaded the certificate program and is working with faculty to develop more course topics to launch in Spring 2026. Other populations could include Americans with disabilities, psych/mental health, veterans, or individuals experiencing homelessness, human trafficking or incarceration.
RN-BS student Tate Klacsmann was dual-enrolled at Boise State and his associates program when he took the course in healthy aging. He was pleasantly surprised at how much it enriched his nursing education, since the topic is “not really emphasized at the associate’s level,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was getting into, and I ended up really liking that course.”