Most Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
to MSU’s BSN Program!
Below are frequently asked questions regarding the MSU nursing program. This Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) is offered through MSU-Bozeman not UM. It is fully accredited through the American Nurses Association (ANA). See the Pre-nursing advisor with any questions you might have regarding this degree program; however, students are ultimately responsible for understanding degree requirements. These FAQ’s will help you to understand this program! If you really like math and science, love people, and are willing to do both an emotionally and physically demanding job, nursing may be for you!
How long is MSU’s professional BSN program?
It is to the students' academic advantage to view the program as 4 1/2 years in length to allow for remedial work if necessary, for proper sequencing of courses and to allow for quality absorption of the material, which will help your GPA. Due to the INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE nature of this program, grades will be CRITICAL for upper division placement. This is a rigorous, professional 4 -5 year BSN degree program. Students can elect to complete the Pre-nursing (non-nursing courses) curriculum on a part-time or full-time basis. Upper Division clinical nursing will be FULL-TIME, RIGOROUS semesters.
What is Pre-Nursing?
Pre-Nursing is a two year program which includes the non-nursing, academic course work required before transfer to the clinical portion of a professional BSN program.
What level of Math should I be competent in to start the pre-nursing courses?
The prerequisite to Chem and Math is High School Algebra II. This should be current knowledge. For updating, students can enroll in Math 005 or Math 100 (a placement test should be taken to determine your level of proficiency; this test is given daily, 8:00-5:00, in the basement of the Math Bldg). Students are usually advised to take Biol, Math, Chem, A & P, in that order since the course work tends to build on itself.
What is considered “Lower Division” Nursing?
These are the five -sophomore level nursing courses (15credits) to be completed prior to junior year.
Where can I complete the “Lower Division” sophomore level nursing courses?
Students can complete these 15 credits (five courses) either at MSU-Bozeman, fall and/or spring semesters---all five courses available each semester in their entirety on the Bozeman campus, or on one of MSU’s Upper Division (UD) campuses at Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula offered in this fashion: summer (7 credits) and fall semester (8 credits). The later option is for entry to Upper Division nursing spring semesters only and is currently limited to approximately 24 students on each Upper Division campus.
Are there additional fees for nursing courses?
Yes, there can be. The sophomore level nursing course option, which is available on the UD campus sites have a “super tuition” attached to them. Currently the additional fee is $500.00 extra per course in addition to regular tuition. At this time there is no “super tuition” attached to the sophomore level nursing courses offered in Bozeman or on the junior and senior level nursing courses.
What is considered Upper Division (UD) Nursing?
Upper Division nursing is the junior and senior level nursing courses and clinical rotations that begin AFTER a student completes the 15 Lower Division (sophomore) nursing credits. Upper Division (start of the junior nursing courses) is available at the following locations: Billings (fall & spring entry = 40 slots each semester), Bozeman (fall entry only = 16 slots), Great Falls (fall & spring entry = 16 slots each semester), Kalispell (spring entry only = 8 slots) and Missoula (fall & spring entry = 24 slots each semester). There is a total of 184 junior placements state-wide into MSU’s BSN program. UD nursing consists of 4 FULL-TIME RIGOROUS semesters. (courses not available in the summer.) UD schedules can vary greatly i.e.; some clinical rotations can start at 6:00 am others can finish at 9:00 pm.
What is an application to the College of Nursing?
Students complete an application to notify MSU's College of Nursing (CON) of their intent to begin Upper Division (junior) nursing course work. This application allows students to indicate the semester (Fall, Spring) and the campus (Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, & Missoula) of their choice. It is important to realize that applications must be filed 3-4 semesters prior to Upper Division nursing course work. (Filed in April) Students typically file the application to MSU at the end of their freshman year for acceptance to Upper Division nursing their junior year. Students are notified from MSU (CON) the following July as to whether or not they receive upper division placement, (accepted into MSU's BSN program). A "waiting list" application is usually available fall semester if the regular spring semester application deadline is missed. This application puts your name on the waiting list and chances of placement are limited. An application must be accepted by MSU's (CON) before you can progress on through this degree program.
What criterion is used to determine Upper Division (UD) placement and placement location?
A student's GPA in the required lower division pre-requisite courses, (please refer to UM's Pre-nursing Curriculum Sheet) is used to determine placement and placement location; NOT THE CUMULATIVE GPA! --A MINIMUM grade of a "C" is required in all of these required pre-requisites. The College of Nursing does not accept C- as a passing grade in required courses. GPA's are calculated when the applications are received at MSU and then rank ordered from highest to lowest. To also help determine the specific Upper Division campus to which a student is assigned, students may submit a "special needs form" documenting the specific reasons why they must be placed at a particular campus, i.e. family, job, house. “Special Needs” can add more priority points to a student’s application, however the prerequisite GPA is the strongest criteria for placement. Last year’s minimum prerequisite GPA for an initial offering of placement was approximately a 3.20 (Great Falls placement). At present, it is very competitive to be placed into the entire program available on MSU’s Upper Division campus in Missoula. If, however, students can accept placements at all of the Upper Division campus locations, more opportunities are available to students to complete the program which can also offer some relief with the prerequisite GPA.
Are all prerequisite courses used for the priority point GPA calculation?
Yes. All equivalent prerequisite courses, regardless of where/when completed are used for GPA calculation.
How can I increase my chances for higher ranking during the next application period?
You can repeat required pre-requisite classes ONE TIME to try to improve your prerequisite GPA.
Can I transfer to MSU-Bozeman and enroll in one or all five of the Lower Division nursing courses without an approved UD application?
No. MSU must accommodate the students who have received Upper Division placement. These 15 semester credits of lower level nursing, Nurs 115, Nurs 220, Nurs 223, Nurs 224 & Nurs 239 have restricted entry.
Are all pre-nursing majors automatically accepted into MSU's nursing program?
No. There is no guarantee of placement or location of placement. The UD campuses have a total of about 184 placements statewide. About 2 - 3 times as many Pre-Nursing students from around the state apply for placement than there are positions. The student's GPA in required courses are rank ordered and used to determine who receives placement and preferred location. Those who do not receive placement can elect to file a "Wait List" application. Many placements are filled by students on the “wait list” and more placement opportunities are available to students if they can accept any location of placement.
When I apply for Upper Division placement does this automatically enroll me at MSU?
No. You will need to make application to MSU separately. Students can contact UM’s Registrar’s Office regarding a more streamlined transfer application procedure. If you are on financial aid, you will want to make sure you are filing the correct form and transferring the correct financial aid information to MSU's Financial Aid Office. You will be an MSU student during your sophomore level nursing courses as well as during your UD nursing years at one of MSU's upper division campuses.
Which courses do I need to complete before I start Upper Division (Junior) Nursing?
All of the required non-nursing prerequisites as well as the sophomore level nursing courses need to be satisfactorily completed before the junior year of nursing starts. (Biol 312 & 313, Psyc 240 & 245, Biol 106 and Chem 151, 152 & 154 are prerequisites to the sophomore level nursing courses).
If I decide to pursue this degree program, which Genl. Educ. Reqs. do I follow?
Your degree will be awarded by MSU, therefore, you will need to complete General Education Requirements from MSU, not the Genl. Educ. requirements for UM students. UM’s and MSU’s GER’s are similar but have some differences. The Pre-nursing curriculum completes a large portion of UM’s as well as MSU’s GER’s.
Are there any academic assistance programs/courses available at UM?
Yes. Tutoring is available through both the Undergraduate Advising Center’s STS (Students Tutoring Students) Program as well as through the TRio Program. The TRio program offers free tutoring to those students who qualify for its' services. C & I 160, Learning Strategies courses can help with study tips, time management and test taking strategies.
How do I know that nursing is the major and ultimate career for me?
Students are encouraged to visit UM's Career Services Office. This office offers free career counseling and help with career assessment to UM students. In addition, it has also been beneficial (however not required by MSU-Bozeman) for students to have either work or volunteer experience in the medical area.
Due to the fact that this degree program is competitive would it be a good idea for me to explore other nursing programs from around the state?
Yes. Students need to explore all of their options in nursing or in other health related fields. In Montana the associate degree RN programs are currently available at Salish Kootenai College, Pablo; MSU-Northern, Havre; Montana Tech of The University of Montana, Butte, and Miles Community College, Miles City. A traditional bachelor’s degree can be obtained through Carroll College, Helena and MSU-Bozeman. The College of Technology in Missoula offers programs in the following areas: LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing), Surgical Technician, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy Technology, X-Ray Technology and Medical Assisting. The COT’s in Missoula and Helena also offer a “stepping stone” ADN, RN program. The LPN certification program needs to be completed first, however. Most of these programs have a clinical component to them so program entry is limited.
How do I apply to one of the College of Technology’s health care programs namely, the LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing, X-Ray Technology, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy Technology and Medical Assisting Programs?
Students need to complete a series of courses (22 – 24 credits) called the “Health Core” before applying to one of the COT’s clinical health care programs. For complete information, contact the COT Enrollment Services Office at: #243-7884 or visit the COT home page at: www.cte.umt.edu
What are some of the differences between the Pre-nursing Program offered on the UM campus and the nursing programs offered at UM’s College of Technology?
Pre-nursing is a two year program, comprised of required academic (non-nursing) prerequisites for preparation for transfer to a professional BSN program. UM’s College of Technology offers an LPN certificate program as well as a “stepping stone” ADN, RN program once the LPN has been awarded. Interested students need to complete the required prerequisites (Health Core), apply for the LPN program, attain the LPN certificate and ultimately apply to the COT’s ADN, RN program. Completion of the ADN, RN program prepares a student to successfully pass the RN Licensing exam. This is not a BSN (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing) degree program. Currently the A & P series: SCN 201 and 202 at the COT is not transferable to MSU’s BSN program. For more information go to the COT’s web site at: www.cte.umt.edu
If I do not receive Upper Division placement, what other majors does UM offer that would compliment my Pre-nursing curriculum?
Here are some possibilities: Soc Work, Psyc, Soc, Micro, Med-Tech, HPE (several emphases), Biol, Forestry, Recreation Mgmt, & EVST. Please refer to your UM catalog for the appropriate major requirements.
The Pre-Nursing curriculum also meets a large portion of UM's (GER’s) General Education Requirements.
What kinds of financial assistance are available for this program?
Students can contact UM's Financial Aid Office for specific details on available aid. There are a few scholarships available to Pre-nursing majors, however, more are available once a student is admitted to the nursing program. Nursing students will need to eventually apply for scholarships through MSU-Bozeman. Students can also contact UM's ARMY ROTC Dept. regarding scholarships. Good web sites: www.nln.org and www.discovernursing.com The Perkins Loan has a loan payback program for working nurses.
If I complete my degree program in Missoula which university awards the BSN degree?
Regardless of where a student completes the program, MSU-Bozeman awards the BSN degree.
What should I be doing if I am not planning to transfer to MSU's nursing program but instead looking at an out-of-state nursing program?
It is critical for students to personally contact the degree granting institution, typically their nursing department for information regarding required courses and application procedures that can vary from school to school. The Internet is a good source to research nursing programs, course requirements, application deadlines and other criteria for acceptance into programs. A good web site for researching nursing programs (ADN, BSN & accelerated BSN/MSN) is located at: www.allnursingschools.com