College of Nursing

Montana State University
P.O. Box 173560
Bozeman, MT 59717-3560

Tel: (406) 994-3783
Fax: (406) 994-6020
E-mail: nursing@montana.edu

Location: Sherrick Hall

Dean:

Helen Melland

Attention: Students who are interested in the Accelerated BSN option at MSU-Bozeman

If you are not already a nurse (LPN or RN), please click on this link: http://www.montana.edu/nursing/academic/acceleratedbsn.htm

If you are already a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) and have a degree in another field, the Accelerated ABSN option is not designed for you.  It is an entry-level program for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing, but are not yet nurses of any kind.  Our ABSN option provides nursing education from the ground up (eg basic skills/basic nursing knowledge – things that nurses already know) to students who have no background, education, or experience in nursing at all!

If you are an LPN and interested in our traditional BSN option, please click on the link below to learn about our special program for you! (http://www.montana.edu/nursing/academic/lpn.htm)

If you are an RN and interested in pursuing a BSN, please contact one of the RN-BSN (BSN completion) programs in Montana.  They are:

MSU-Northern, Havre: www.msun.edu/academics/nursing
Salish Kootenai, Pablo: http://nursing.skc.edu
Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Butte: www.mtech.edu/clsps/nursing/academics/index.htm  or
The University of Great Falls: http://www.ugf.edu/Academics/BSinNursingDegreeCompletionProgram/tabid/1157/Default.aspx

The College of Nursing at Montana State University offers an accelerated BSN degree option for students to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing.  This option is available only to students who already have earned a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing.  Students are required to have completed the same pre-requisite courses as the traditional students EXCEPT for WRIT 101, CLS 101, and the art, humanities, and diversity Core 2.0 requirements (see required courses below).  Once admitted to the nursing major, they complete the BSN degree in approximately 15 months, as opposed to the 29 months it takes the traditional students.

Accelerated post-baccalaureate options are common in the discipline of nursing.  Currently there are well over 200 accelerated second degree options in the country - only two states do not offer such an option.  Research has indicated that these students are highly motivated students, do well in school, and are rated highly by employers. Because these students already have a degree and have demonstrated success as college students, they are able to progress at a faster pace through such an intense program. These accelerated options are held to the same national accreditation standards as are traditional baccalaureate degree programs.

The need for this accelerated option for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing acknowledges the shortage of nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level, especially in rural, remote underserved areas. Trends such as the large number of the baby boomer population now aging and needing care, the ability to treat more chronic and acute disorders, and the pending retirement of a large percentage of nurses in the next ten years are fueling that need for nurses. Not only is there a current and projected shortage of nurses to provide care, the projected faculty shortage is significant. Second degree students who are exceptionally strong academically have shown to have a great interest in advancing into graduate education, thus increasing the supply of master’s or doctorally prepared nurses qualified to work as nurse educators.

The curriculum is the same as for the traditional students except that is at a much faster pace, full-time, more credits each semester, and year-around.  A cohort of 16 students was admitted to the Bozeman campus to begin the option in May 2011.  The Bozeman campus has the needed availability of clinical learning resources to offer the option. The college sought to expand the option to the Great Falls campus in May 2012.  Students progress through the nursing curriculum in 4 intense terms (eg summer, 2012; fall 2012; spring 2013; and summer 2013) and graduate at the conclusion of the summer term, 2013.  Upon graduation, these students will be qualified to sit for NCLEX-RN, the national licensure examination to enter professional nursing practice. 

The cost of the accelerated option is greater than the traditional BSN program per semester since accelerated students are enrolled in more credits each of the four terms of the option.  However, given that students will complete the option in 15 instead of 29 months, they will be in the workplace earlier and earning a salary over the 14 months they would traditionally still be in school.  There is a differential tuition/fee structure between residential students and non-resident students.  There is also a difference in cost between students applying from the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) states and non-WUE states. 
Applications are now available on the College of Nursing Web site for the 3rd cohort of Accelerated students who will begin the option in May 2013.  Applications are due on June 1, 2012.  Information sessions are being held on the Bozeman campus approximately once a month.  To sign up for an information session or to ask any questions regarding the Accelerated Option, please contact the College of Nursing at (406) 994-3783.

Applicants to the accelerated BSN option must apply to both Montana State University-Bozeman and to the College of Nursing.  Acceptance into Montana State University does not guarantee admission to the accelerated BSN option. 

1.To apply to MSU-Bozeman: http://www.montana.edu/admissions/apply.shtml
2.To apply to the College of Nursing’s accelerated option:

• Accelerated BSN Option Application (PDF)
• Accelerated BSN Option Application (Word)

Applicants will be selected for the BSN accelerated option based on a calculated gpa of 3.0 or higher in required prerequisite courses for the accelerated option; evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing from a regionally accredited institution with at least a cum gpa of 3.0 or higher; signature on affidavit for “Abilities Required for Success in the BSN degree program” form;  letter of interest in the accelerated option (e.g. “What motivates me to pursue a career in nursing by enrolling in the BSN accelerated option”); two professional references (as opposed to personal references) on the reference forms provided; and an interview with faculty (to be scheduled sometime after September 1, 2012).  Prospective students who would be eligible to begin the BSN accelerated option in Summer 2013 (e.g. will have completed all 10 required prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better by the end of Spring 2013 semester) are encouraged to file an application packet including: official transcripts from every college/university attended; two completed reference forms; and the letter of interest before the June 1, 2012 deadline. 

Application Deadline: June 1, 2012 for students who desire to begin the accelerated option in Summer 2013.  No applications will be processed if received after the deadline or are submitted without all of the components of the application packet.

Once applicants have been offered a placement, they will be required to provide documentation of current health insurance, all required immunizations, professional healthcare CPR which covers the lifespan, and required background checks through Verified Credentials.
Pre-requisite courses that must be completed prior to enrollment in the following Summer term are:

The following nursing courses will be completed in the compressed timeframe over four consecutive semesters, including all of the lower division nursing courses (NRSG 115, 220, 225, 238, and 258).  Students planning to apply to the Accelerated Option must not take these courses prior to being accepted into the Accelerated Option.  There will be adequate time to enroll in these courses later if students decide to pursue the Traditional BSN program.

NOTE: Required nursing curriculum courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better and no more than one repeat of a course is permitted. The College of Nursing does not accept "C-" as a passing grade in required courses.