Jake Flannigan, NP
June 19, 2025
RN to BSN programs enable registered nurses holding associate degrees or diplomas to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The state of Montana depends on BSN-prepared nurses to deliver high-quality care to its rural healthcare communities. Nurses gain advanced abilities in leadership, public health, and evidence-based practice through these programs which enables them to perform complex patient care responsibilities.
Great Falls, MT - Private 4-year - uprovidence.edu
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The University of Providence's online RN to BSN program, designed for working registered nurses, offers a flexible and accelerated path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, completable in as little as one year. With no specified concentration, it focuses on career advancement, higher salaries, and potential specializations such as pediatrics or oncology. The program features both synchronous and asynchronous learning options, emphasizing skills in healthcare administration, leadership, and patient safety. As a bachelor's-level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, making it accessible for busy professionals. This Roman Catholic-affiliated, military-friendly institution provides a supportive online environment with no unnecessary prerequisites.
Havre, MT - Public 4-Year - msun.edu
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Montana State University-Northern's RN-BSN Completion Program is an online offering tailored for registered nurses seeking career advancement without sacrificing work commitments. It emphasizes leadership, community health, and clinical skills enhancement through a flexible format, with full-time completion in just three semesters or part-time options extending up to five years. Admission requires a 2.50 GPA, and the program is ACEN-accredited, featuring monthly application acceptance and local clinical practicums. No entrance exams like ACT or SAT are needed for this bachelor's-level program, making it accessible for busy professionals.
Billings, MT - Public 4-Year - msubillings.edu
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Montana State University Billings provides an online RN to BSN Degree Completion Program tailored for working nurses, focusing on flexibility and career growth. This 49-credit program uses accelerated 8-week blocks, allowing completion in three semesters with full or part-time options. It requires an unencumbered RN license, considers transfer credits, and includes clinical projects in community and leadership. Accredited and military-friendly, it prepares graduates for advanced roles and further education, with no ACT or SAT required as it's a bachelor's completion program.
Working nurses throughout Montana have access to multiple online RN to BSN programs which Montana educational institutions provide. The delivery system benefits students who reside in distant locations and those who work full-time jobs. The majority of online programs deliver content without time constraints allowing students to study at their convenience. Some educational institutions provide learning combinations which unite online studies with periodic in-person meetings for laboratory work and team collaboration. Educational institutions provide students with evening and weekend classes as an option for those who need to combine their daytime clinical work with studying.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Providence |
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| Montana State University-Northern |
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| Montana State University Billings |
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| Certifying Board | Montana Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Certification | BSN graduation from an approved program, NCLEX‑RN pass, and fingerprint‑based background check |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal by December 31 in odd or even years per license type |
| Continuing Education | Not required for RN renewals, optional board‑provided modules available |
| License Application Fee | $100 |
| Clinical Hours | Verified didactic and clinical practicum hours via official transcripts |
| Application Processing Time | First‑in, first‑served, license issued after NCLEX results and background clearance |
| License by Endorsement | $200 application, submit active‑license verification, transcripts, and fingerprint clearance |
The Montana job market provides stable employment opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses who receive competitive compensation. The average salary range for registered nurses throughout Montana extends from $70,000 to $75,000 but BSN holders usually secure positions at the upper end of this scale. The initial pay difference between BSN and ADN nurses is small yet BSN nurses have better opportunities to move into supervisory positions that provide higher salaries. The nursing profession remains in high demand especially in rural areas along with underserved regions. BSN-degree nurses are becoming essential to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and public health departments because they can handle complex care coordination responsibilities and leadership duties. The state’s aging population together with its demographic growth creates an urgent need for healthcare staff. Healthcare organizations transitioning to integrated care models will depend on nurses with advanced education to determine treatment results and uphold service excellence.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Montana | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $70,200 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $33.74 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$80,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $65,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$50,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 11% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~250 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State University Billings |
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| Montana State University-Northern |
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| University of Providence |
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The BSN degree creates various opportunities for nursing professionals to advance in their careers. The BSN degree enables nurses to earn specialty certifications and leadership positions which associate degree holders cannot access. BSN-prepared nurses qualify for leadership positions including charge nurse, unit manager, and care coordinator roles. The BSN serves as a fundamental requirement to enter Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate programs. The advanced nursing programs create opportunities for students to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists or nurse educators. BSN-prepared nurses in Montana possess the qualifications needed to lead care initiatives and provide mentorship to junior staff members because they serve complex and broad patient needs in healthcare facilities. The BSN degree provides both immediate career benefits and long-term educational possibilities in an environment of healthcare change.
Additional Nursing Programs in Montana
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