RN Programs in Montana – Schools, Salary, and License Info

I never knew much about America.

Only what I saw in the movies.

However, my idea of it as the ‘’Promised Land’’ stayed with me as a child.

I was curious, what made it be called such!

And once I grew up to know more about life.

I realized perhaps it was called that way because of the numerous opportunities for work and a good life there.

Recently, I committed to writing about nursing there.

And guess what?

I had the chance to check each part of it and in particular Montana.

Finding a nursing school there is a challenge for every student.

And you will see that only when you get there.

For this reason, I wanted to solve this issue and help you make an easier choice.

So, this article came out, along with many others in the entire US.

The main criteria to find a good nursing school there is definitely the chance to get a license in it as you finalize your studies.

This is something you have to find out yourself by checking the NCLEX-RN passing rates in all schools that offer Registered Nursing.

Just so you know, there are in total 13 RN schools around the state.

However, the top-five schools are a priority to check in terms of license and career opportunities.

The programs offered in these schools include ADN, MSN, ASN, and BSN degree.

These programs are all given with the purpose of improving the entire nursing industry in Montana.

With the significant growth of nursing in the state, there has been considered as the first healthcare industry.

And that due to the greatest number of job positions in the state amid 20 of them in the list.

The ranking has been done from the Montana Department Labor and Industry.

This ranking is even more credible due to the annual salary of nurses in Montana, with $62,650.

That’s what the Bureau of Labor of Statistics reports so far.

So, nursing is undoubtedly one of the most promising and sought after careers in the state.

For RN bridge programs visit:

• RN to BSN Programs in Montana
• RN to MSN Programs in Montana

ADN Programs in Montana

The surest and shortest way to enter the field of nursing in Montana is through an ADN degree.

The program is indeed a popular one and that for many reasons.

First of all, because of its flexible length.

Who wouldn’t like to study the favorite field for only two years and jump into work immediately?

Next, the ADN degree is the way through which you can easily pursue Registered Nursing.

This program now is available in many small colleges in Montana, such as community and technical ones.

While you will surely find over 10 schools with properly accredited programs across the state.

What to Look For in an ADN Program in Montana

Now, an ADN degree is a good choice.

But the programs vary from school to school.

Therefore, before choosing one, you should check all of them and consider their major characteristics, such as will be given below.

Accreditation

First and foremost, its accreditation.

Accreditations always highlight a quality program.

Especially, when it is done from a respectable association.

In Montana, these associations responsible for this action are three.

The first, which is the Commission for Education in Nursing (AECN).

And the second, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

These two are the major associations in the state.

Whereas the approval of a particular RN program is usually done from the Montana Board of Nursing, as the main nursing body in the state.

Licensing

Licensing is the last step of an ADN program.

And normally, it should be like this, since licensing is some kind of verification of nursing education.

Therefore the curriculum of a specific ADN program should be checked closely, whether it prepares you as a student for the NCLEX exam.

This exam is just like the key.

You cannot open the door of the nursing license without it.

In Montana, this exam is passed with due success.

You can see that in the reports from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2015.

The percentage of exam passes is 83.9%.

These candidates have both passed the exam as well as earned the license at the end of the program.

And that’s quite a success!

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes are a clear indication of a program’s success or failure.

In Montana, good program outcomes are made public for aspiring nursing students.

From these data, you may be able to see the following:

• Graduation rates
• NCLEX-RN pass rates
• Graduate satisfaction
• Employment rates

A fully accredited ADN program is offered in Miles Community College, in Miles City, Montana.

ADN Program Admission Requirements in Montana

Being admitted to an ADN program in Montana requires meeting a few requirements first.

These requirements include:

• Submit all official transcripts
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and an extracted GPA of 2.85 for prerequisites required
• Complete application and pay fees

Tuition and Costs of ADN Programs in Montana

They say the amount of everything in life, is the time you pay for it.

But there are things you need to pay with more than your time and effort.

It’s the money you invest in these things which determines the quality of what you get.

Similarly, an AND program in Montana has its own cost too.

Though this cost is quite affordable for you as a student, still it requires some consideration.

Only if you cannot afford it at all, you may go for financial aid option or any scholarship, which are available in the state.

In general, the cost of tuition will include textbooks, uniforms, equipment, and similar payment.

However, I understand you need a concrete price, to prepare yourself to pay.

For this reason, you can check the Helena College University of Montana.

This College’s ADN program demands $8,678 to $13,378 from you.

The price may vary from the length of the program.

However, it goes around these two sums.

Advantages of ADN Programs

What I told you at the very beginning of this article was not a joke.

I promise.

And now you see it.

Obviously, one of the best advantages of ADN programs remains its length and pricing.

So, if you’re one of those who want a fast and easy jump into a nursing career, take the ADN route.

In addition, you will be able to attend a program that is given in small and frequented schools.

As well as pursue other advanced degrees in the field, such as BSN or MSN degrees.

BSN Programs in Montana

Right after the ADN program, comes the BSN one.

A Bachelor Degree in Nursing takes 4 years to complete.

It is available in the major universities in Montana.

Despite the pre-licensure BSN, you can go for accelerated BSN programs too.

One of them is the RN to BSN program, which is offered everywhere in the state.

While a basic BSN program can be found in three different schools in the state.

What To Look For in a BSN Program in Montana

Looking for a suitable BSN program in Montana is just like buying the ingredients needed for a cake.

You always want to choose the best ones, to have the best product in the end.

For this reason, you may begin by calculating the price of a program first.

At this point, calculate the main expense of tuition, additional fees which include mandatory fees, transport, equipment, textbooks, and so on.

Once you’ve made sure the cost for each, you can move one with facilitating opportunities.

These are the financial aid and scholarship opportunities as long as you qualify for them in the first place.

Usually, the latter is suggested by the school you’ve chosen to attend the program in.

While in general, you will find the best accredited school to be the Montana State University in Bozeman.

BSN Program Length in Montana

The length of BSN programs in double of that of the ADN one.

It’s eight semesters in total, which means four years.

The length is divided into two parts in terms of the focus in the studies.

Thus, the first two years are taught by the curriculum.

Whereas the following two years include clinical learning with contact with patients.

However, if you’re one of those students with a BA degree in another field, you can go for a BSN program of 15-month length.

While you can also consider the RN to BSN bridge program as well.

This one is best for those RN candidates who are seeking career opportunities.

Its length is 1 to 2 years.

BSN Program Admission Requirements in Montana

BSN program admission requirements are the only way to regulate the narrow competition among candidates to enter the program.

Among these requirements, you should try to meet the following:

• Completion of required prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Proof of vaccinations
• Evidence of current completion of an approved CPR course

Tuition and Costs of BSN Programs in Montana

Different BSN schools have different costs in Montana.

However, some characteristics of the costs are similar to all of them.

These include tuition, books, uniforms, mandatory fees, and so on.

All of these costs vary from time to time.

For this reason, you need to have a clear picture of the costs for a certain period of time, in order to choose the school soon.

Just in case, you think you’re not able to afford the payments, you may go for financial aid.

The right person for this counseling is usually within a school you apply for.

A BSN program in Montana Tech for instance in Butte will normally cost $6,561 per year.

This cost is valid for a student within the state.

While the addition of $550 also per semester is also required to be paid for the same BSN program.

Advantages of BSN Programs

If you’ve always dreamed to become a nurse, you probably want to reach as high in your career as possible.

To give you glad tidings, a BSN degree, first of all, will secure you better pay at work.

Secondly, it will give you the chance to go for a more superior degree in the future as well.

Also, if you’re interested in 4-year traditional studies, you have the chance to pursue a BSN degree.

MSN Programs in Montana

Once you commit to a profession, make sure you reach the highest education in it and be of use to the community you live in.

A Master’s Science in Nursing is definitely, the way to more nursing specialties.

These specialties include Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, and similar titles.

In order to attain any of these titles, you need an RN license in the first place.

But one thing is sure, an MSN degree will open up more work opportunities as well as your learning potential in nursing in general.

In Montana, some MSN programs can be accessed both online and local, in just one school.

MSN Program Length in Montana

The average MSN program takes 2 to 3 years to complete.

That’s typical of this program in all US states.

However, the length always depends on the coursework, the field of specialization you choose as well as the school schedule.

In Montana, the schedule of the MSN program is fitting to those doing their RN education.

As a result, the courses’ attendance is quite flexible for students.

Whereas, MSN programs offer other night and online courses for nurses who are busy at work.

So never think that MSN programs do not work in a compassionate and empathic manner.

Because they do.

MSN Admission Requirements in Montana

The MSN school in Montana is the only one offering this program.

It usually sets these admission requirements upon the students:

• A minimum of undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Having a BSN from an upper-division program accredited at a national level
• Having completed with success undergraduate courses in areas of physical assessment, community/public health, research, and statistics
• Current unencumbered registered nurse licensure in Montana
• Recommendation from the College of Nursing admissions committee
• TOEFL score of 580 or computer equivalent, if needed

Tuition and Costs of MSN Programs in Montana

The cost of an MSN program is in proportion with its value.

Therefore, for this program in Montana, you will have to pay tuition, mandatory fees such as textbooks, labs, and so on.

The real cost of an MSN program can be seen at Montana State University with $5,200 for students within the state.

In addition to this price, students must also pay another sum of $55.10 per credit of the Nursing program.

For NP programs visit:

• Montana DNP Programs
• Montana FNP Programs
• Montana Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Montana Post-Graduate Certificate Nursing Programs

Getting a Montana Nursing License

For a Montana nursing License, you have to submit some documents.

This issue is regulated by the Montana Board of Nursing.

These documents include:

Candidate must complete, sign and notarize an application, submit required fees, as well as include the following documents:

• Proof of graduation from a state-approved institution – official transcript must be sent from the school to the state board directly
• Registration for the NCLEX exam
• Fingerprint/Criminal Background Check

You can also apply for a license by means of an endorsement.

At this point, you will have to attach the application, fees, and the following documents:

• Proof of your education – the official transcript should be sent from program to the state board
• Verification of your Licensure – NURSYS verification or by request to the originating state
• Fingerprint/Background Check

Accelerated Nursing Programs in Montana

Last but not least come MSN accelerated Programs.

In Montana, they usually take 12 to 18 months to complete.

Since they are made of both clinical hours and coursework, the program is indeed heavy.

However, in the end, you will receive a BSN or MSN degree for sure.

Accelerated programs, just like other programs require some criteria to enter them.

The criteria should be met before the day the program begins.

While tuition is a matter of credit hours and other housing fees.

• Montana Accelerated BSN Programs
• Montana Accelerated MSN Programs

The Best RN Schools in Montana

The way to a good program is through a good school.

Check the top-rated ones in Montana.

RN Salaries in Montana

Good and work and a good income always go together.

The first comes from effort, education, and experience.

While its fruit is always the second, the salary.

Here are the three shifts an RN salary goes through in Montana during the year.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Montana

Here we come to the end, hoping this guide has helped you.

Good luck in your nursing career!

RN Programs by State