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NIC Surgical Technology program named best in Idaho

NIC Surgical Technology student Kahlea Herbert participates in a mock surgery in a simulation lab at the Meyer Health and Sciences Building at NIC’s Coeur d’Alene campus.

North Idaho College was named the number one college in Idaho for surgical technology by College Factual, a website focused on helping students find the college that best fits their needs.

To go along with the number one ranking, the NIC Surgical Technology program boasts a five-year average pass rate of 98.6% on the Certified Surgical Technologist Examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The exam is considered the highest standard in the industry, with a national average pass rate of 66.8% on the first attempt.

“We couldn’t be more enthused by the success of our Surgical Technology program,” NIC Dean of Nursing and Health Professions Erlene Pickett said. “The work our faculty, staff, students and community partners have put in is incredible.”

Since the program's inception in 2019, 60 students have graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology. All NIC Surgical Technology graduates secured employment before completing the program, maintaining a 100% employment rate with new graduates earning over $30 an hour. Seventeen students currently enrolled in the program are set to graduate in 2025 and have an average GPA of 3.5.

Students in the program complete over 140 surgical cases and work more than 400 hours to qualify for the Certified Surgical Technologist Examination. To meet these needs, the college works with clinical affiliates including Kootenai Health, Northwest Specialty Hospital, Providence Sacred Heart and Holy Family, MultiCare Deaconess and Valley Hospital, Bonner General, and Hayden Surgery Center.

“We could not do this program without our clinical affiliates,” NIC Surgical Technology Program Director Terra Lawson-Gilbert said. “They are all fantastic to work with and make sure our students receive world-class training.”

During an accreditation site visit by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting in October 2024, the program received an exceptional rating with no areas of concern and was awarded programmatic accreditation for 10 years.

The program runs two cohorts annually and accepts 10 students per cohort through a competitive entry process. Applications for the fall cohort open in March.

For more information about NIC’s Surgical Technology program, visit nic.edu/surgtech.