Montana RN Programs

Registered Nursing Classes in Montana

Registered nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations there is, especially since the baby boomers generation is at or near retirement age. The average RN salary in Montana is $75,000 per year, or $36 per hour. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau, 3.4 million babies were born between 1946 and 1964. Today 2.8 million baby boomers make up 26% of the total United States (US) population. The retirement numbers are staggering which have made a huge impact on the demands of the nursing field.

The US is projected to have a nursing shortage as baby boomers retire and need healthcare. Between 2006 and 2016 approximately 587,000 new jobs are predicted to open in the nursing field. In 2010 alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 283,000 jobs have been added in the healthcare industry.

To offset the nursing shortage the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is currently working with colleges, policy makers, and similar organizations to address the problem. In September 2010 the AACN expanded the NursingCAS to include graduate nursing programs and optimize on full enrollment.

Montana is no exception to the shortage of RNs. As well, the nursing employment is expected to rapidly grow through 2020. In fact, in 2002, says the State of Aging in Montana, 30% of Montana’s healthcare personnel were registered nurses.

To work as a registered nurse in Montana you must be licensed by the Montana State Board of Nursing and pass the national nursing board exam. In order to apply for a license, applicants must meet minimum educational requirements and pass an examination. The requirements are outlined below…

– Complete an approved 4-year high school course of study or the equivalent
– Complete a state-approved nursing school program
– Submit a completed Examination application form to the National Council Licensing Examination for Nursing (NCLEX) with the required fee
– Register with PearsonVue national examiners at www.pearsonvue.com
– Complete the Temporary Permit application and submit the appropriate fee if desired.
– Pass the NCLEX-RN exam within three years of being authorized to sit for it with no more than 5 attempts

The Montana Board of Nursing approves only programs that lead to initial licensure as an LPN or RN. To obtain an RN license it is required to complete an Associate’s degree that generally consists of two to three years of coursework. Additional education geared towards a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) is also recommended for greater professional career options.

Both degrees require around 10 prerequisite courses in general studies such as biology, psychology or anatomy before applying to the program. Entry to nursing schools is quite competitive and there can sometimes be a one or two year waiting list. High grades and some volunteer work are helpful in getting accepted into a good RN program. Montana offers some of the best RN programs in the nation. According to the national Registered Nurse Licensing Examination Pass Rates of 2010, Montana’s pass rate was 87.88 and the national pass rate was 87.41.

Some of the best cities in Montana for RN positions are:

Billings: The largest city in Montana with two Level II trauma centers and various home health care agencies.

Missoula: The second largest city in Montana with several hospital and clinics. Currently the city employs around 1,220 registered nurses.

Great Falls: The third largest city in Montana that includes the Air Force Base, a hospital and several clinics. Currently the city of Great Falls employs around 930 RNs.

Montana Associates Degree RN Programs

Accredited Montana RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of Montana. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure nursing programs that meet the registered nursing education requirements set forth by the Montana State Board of Nursing. Although the schools listed on this page are accredited by the Montana Board of Nursing and approved by the state of Montana, they might not be accredited by national organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Individuals should check to see if the state-approved nursing school they are considering also enjoys national accreditation status if they are seeking a school with both accreditations.