Montana State University-Northern Nursing School Review
Montana State University-Northern (MSUN, MSU-Northern) is the sixth oldest university of the Montana State University System. It was established in Havre High School in 1929 and remained there temporarily until its own departments were built at the current main campus in Havre. Then, it was known as Northern Montana College but after joining the Montana State University system, it was renamed to the current name.
Nursing at Montana State University-Northern
The nursing department at the university offers three programs leading to the award of associate and bachelor degree in nursing. One of the programs leading to an associate degree is a LPN advanced placement option for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to become registered nurses. The programs are approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Associate of Science in Nursing Program
The ASN coursework offered at Montana State University Northern qualifies students to write the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. The sequence of the first year courses of the ASN are offered on a full time basis at Lewistown and Havre main campus. After completion of the first year courses, students at Havre have the chance to proceed to Great Falls campus to finish the sophomore year or remain at Havre. On the other hand, those who start their program at Lewistown must complete the entire curriculum there. 72 to 75 credits are required to graduate with an associate of science in nursing degree. LPN advanced interested in becoming RNS, details are given below.
LPN Advanced Placement
Licensed practical nurses are welcome to apply for advanced placement for the ASN degree. Eligible candidates must be graduates of an accredited practical nursing program but holding licensure is not mandatory to be admitted. Applications for the program are accepted all year long for any of the three teaching semesters at Northern.
An LPN to RN Transition course must be completed through an online summer session prior to the semester of enrollment into the ASN program. However, students who have graduated from a LPN program that have used the Montana Statewide Curriculum in the last three years do not take the transition course. Articulation into the ASN for those students is automatic provided they become admitted.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (Distance)
The Bachelor of Science in nursing is a completion program that allows RNs to progress and complete their baccalaureate. As such, the program requires RNs who have current and active licenses for the states in which their clinical practicum sessions will be conducted. It builds on earlier nursing experience through innovatively scheduled classes to allow adult RNs to work as they study.
For this program, students can complete the entire curriculum without having to come to campus using non-traditional internet/ Desire2 Learn methods of curriculum delivery. RNs are also free to attain clinical experiences at their geographical locations of choice especially their neighborhoods or places of work. There are full time and part time study plans but all requirements for graduation must be completed within five years.
Contact:
Montana State University-Northern
300 West 11th St, Havre,
MT 59501
