Olivia Chen, NP
June 4, 2025
LPNs work as basic patient care providers under the oversight of Registered Nurses and physicians. The state of Montana depends heavily on Licensed Practical Nurses because its vast rural territories face challenges in accessing healthcare services in certain areas. These nursing professionals deliver patient care throughout different healthcare environments including hospitals and community clinics and long-term care facilities. LPNs maintain high-quality healthcare services for people living in both urban centers and rural regions through their presence.
Helena, MT - Public 2-Year - helenacollege.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Helena College University of Montana's Practical Nursing Certificate of Applied Science program offers an exceptional pathway into healthcare through a strategic hybrid learning model. Aspiring nurses benefit from a meticulously designed curriculum blending online theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical experiences. With remarkable achievements including 100% NCLEX pass rate, job placement, and program retention, students receive comprehensive preparation for professional nursing practice. The program's selective admission process accepts only 16 students annually, ensuring personalized educational attention. Montana State Board of Nursing approval guarantees graduates meet rigorous professional standards, while flexible prerequisite options through Helena College and Bitterroot College enhance accessibility for prospective students seeking a robust practical nursing education.
Great Falls, MT - Public 2-Year - gfcmsu.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Great Falls College Montana State University's Practical Nurse program offers an innovative hybrid learning pathway for aspiring nurses seeking comprehensive healthcare training. Students can complete the two-semester program with flexible full-time or part-time enrollment options, preparing for diverse clinical environments. With a total program cost of $8,575, the curriculum integrates rigorous academic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. Prospective students must complete prerequisite courses in human biology, psychology, and writing while maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA. The program strategically prepares graduates for the national licensure examination, equipping them with essential skills for entry-level practical nursing positions across multiple healthcare settings.
Billings, MT - Public 4-Year - msubillings.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Montana State University Billings' Practical Nursing program represents an innovative educational pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. Through a strategically designed hybrid learning model, students can progress towards LPN certification while balancing personal and professional commitments. The curriculum blends comprehensive online coursework with essential hands-on clinical experiences across Montana's healthcare settings. Utilizing a competitive points-based admission framework, the program ensures qualified candidates enter a rigorous training environment. Students benefit from comprehensive NCLEX-PN exam preparation, positioning themselves advantageously in a healthcare sector projected to grow 12%. The Certificate of Applied Science provides graduates multiple career advancement opportunities in diverse medical environments.
Kalispell, MT - Public 2-Year - fvcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Aspiring nurses can find a comprehensive pathway to practical nursing at Flathead Valley Community College's rigorous program in Kalispell. The four-semester, 52-credit Associate of Applied Science degree provides intensive medical training through a strategic curriculum balancing prerequisite coursework and advanced patient care techniques. Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences preparing them for diverse healthcare environments like clinics, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities. The program's strategic design ensures graduates are thoroughly prepared to successfully challenge the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, positioning them competitively in Montana's dynamic healthcare job market. Military-friendly status and focused clinical training distinguish this program's exceptional approach to practical nursing education.
Missoula, MT - Public 4-Year - umt.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Montana's Practical Nursing A.A.S. program delivers a comprehensive pathway into nursing, strategically designed for aspiring healthcare professionals. With a rigorous curriculum spanning 52 credits, students undergo intensive training through lectures, advanced simulations, and clinical rotations. The program maintains competitive admission standards, requiring a 2.75 GPA and specific science course grades. Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences preparing them for the NCLEX-PN exam and diverse healthcare employment opportunities. Carefully structured to meet Montana's nursing standards, the program limits enrollment to 20 students per term, ensuring personalized educational attention. Prospective students must complete extensive pre-admission requirements including immunizations, background checks, and BLS certification.
The LPN programs in Montana provide students with adaptable educational pathways which meet their specific requirements. The clinical nature of the field makes it impossible to complete an LPN program fully online yet most institutions use hybrid educational approaches. Students in hybrid LPN programs study online lectures and coursework yet they need to attend traditional classroom laboratory sessions and clinical training sessions. Students from rural locations or those who need to manage work-life responsibilities find this educational approach highly beneficial. The curriculum at various educational institutions includes weekend and evening courses that enhance student scheduling options. These educational pathways work best for students who cannot attend standard daytime educational sessions. Some educational institutions provide fast-track enrollment options through their accelerated programs for students who fulfill admission prerequisites. The diverse educational options at nursing schools in Montana provide practical nursing education to students with different learning needs and schedules across the state.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Helena College University of Montana |
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| Flathead Valley Community College |
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| The University of Montana |
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| Certifying Board | Montana Board of Nursing, Professional Licensing Bureau, Department of Labor & Industry |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Completion of a Montana Board-approved practical nursing education program |
| Application & Fees | $100 licensure-by-examination fee (add $25 if requesting a temporary permit), $200 NCLEX-PN registration fee to Pearson VUE, plus fingerprint-based background check |
| Processing Time | Authorization to Test issued in 1–2 weeks, permanent license typically granted within 30 days of passing NCLEX and receipt of all required documents |
| License Renewal | Biennial renewal every two years on December 31 with a $100 renewal fee |
| Continuing Education | No mandatory continuing education contact hours required for LPN renewal in Montana |
| Licensure by Endorsement | $200 endorsement application fee, submit verification of an active unrestricted LPN license via Nursys, fingerprint CBC, and supporting documentation. |
The employment situation for LPNs in Montana remains steady while they earn average wages that are highest in rural regions with limited access to healthcare. The typical yearly salary for LPNs in Montana reaches approximately forty-three thousand dollars with an average hourly rate of twenty dollars. The compensation for LPNs depends on their work experience as well as their location and the type of healthcare facility where they work. The main employers of LPNs include long-term care centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. The job market for LPNs shows positive growth projections because of the aging population and ongoing healthcare requirements throughout urban and rural areas. The demand for LPNs remains high because small towns and frontier communities require more healthcare services due to their limited access. Several healthcare facilities actively seek LPNs to meet their patient care staffing requirements. The profession attracts people because it offers a good income together with reliable benefits and stable job security. The profession of LPN in Montana provides financial benefits and personal satisfaction to those who want to build a stable career with advancement possibilities.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Montana | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $54,300 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $26.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$60,604 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $54,300 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$48,951 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~3% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~5,950 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls College Montana State University |
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| Helena College University of Montana |
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| Montana State University Billings |
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LPN serves as an excellent starting position for nursing careers since it provides various opportunities for career progression. Several LPNs in Montana choose LPN-to-RN bridge programs to gain Associate or Bachelor’s degrees in nursing which leads to Registered Nurse licensure. The programs utilize the LPN’s existing education along with their work experience to create a faster route toward obtaining additional licenses. The educational institutions provide adaptable learning programs with distance learning components for students who need to balance work responsibilities. LPNs can pursue specialized certifications in gerontology, IV therapy and wound care after RN pathways to boost their professional expertise. Experienced LPNs often move into leadership positions by managing patient care teams or working as charge nurses in long-term care facilities. Career advancement benefits from ongoing education along with professional development workshops and mentorship opportunities. LPNs in Montana have different career advancement paths which include higher responsibility and better pay and specialized practice options.
Additional Nursing Programs in Montana
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