"Did You Know the Following Facts About Nursing…?"

1. There are three types of nursing programs available in Montana: a 3-4 semester LPN (Certificate Program) available at the College of Technologies: Missoula, Helena, Billings and Great Falls; 2-3 year associate degree programs (leads to RN licensure) available at MSU-Northern, Havre, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Miles Community College, Miles City, Montana Tech, Butte and two "stepping stone" RN programs available at the Helena and Missoula COTs; 4-5 year direct entry, professional BSN, RN degree programs available at Carroll College, Helena and MSU-Bozeman.
2. The following are the desired personal qualifications for professional BSN nurses:

• must be alert, self-controlled, responsible and compassionate, with a great desire to help the sick and injured.
• needs physical stamina, must be able to handle emergencies well and work well with with other members of the health care team.
• needs strong communication, organizational and critical thinking skills.
• interests and aptitude in health, science and math.

3. RN's have a variety of employment opportunities and settings:

• Hospitals, HMO’s, public health clinics, schools, nursing homes,
• physicians’ offices, industry, colleges and universities, prisons,
• hospices, rehabilitation centers and home health agencies.

4. Employment outlook for RN's (very good):

• Prospects in community settings are increasing due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, rise in tuberculosis cases, aging of population and increasing emphasis on primary health care.

"Did You Know the Following Facts About MSU's BSN Program…?"

1. This program is accredited through the National League for Nursing and the ANA.
2. Very high pass rate for the NCLEX Exam (RN licensing exam)
3. There are currently five upper division campuses where students complete their last 2 years of clinical nursing: Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell & Missoula.
4. Acceptance to MSU's nursing program is achieved solely on the computed average of the required pre-requisite courses. There is a competitive component to this program.
5. Placement on a specific campus requires acceptance into the major as well as strong personal needs documented by the "Special Needs" form to accompany the application to MSU's College of Nursing.
6. There are about 184 placements into the nursing major (distributed among the 5 upper division campuses); roughly two - three students apply for each placement.
7. Currently the "lower division" (sophomore level) nursing course work can be completed at MSU-Bozeman (fall/spring semesters) and a limited option available on the UD campuses located at Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula (summer and fall semesters) with entry to the junior year of nursing spring semesters only. Currently limited to approximately 24 students on each Upper Division campus).