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Designated as Health Professions Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas by the federal government, the state of Montana is facing one of the country's greatest shortages of nursing professionals at this time.
For students who want a fast track into the nursing profession, accelerated BSN programs are an excellent way to earn the necessary credentials.
Montana's online nursing programs make it as convenient as possible to earn your advanced degrees. The only non–online components are the clinical training, which you can often do in your local community.
The state's online nursing programs are CCNE–accredited, and your degree will be recognized across the nation.
Top Online Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs in Montana
Several public and private universities provide opportunities to earn online nursing degrees.
1. Montana State University–Bozeman
While the main campus of Montana State University offers an accelerated BSN for students who already possess a bachelor's degree in another field, it is on–campus only and not online.
However, MSU does offer two online graduate nursing degree programs.
These programs include:
- Masters of Nursing (MN) — RN to MN: the online Master of Nursing degree is for licensed registered nurses (RNs) seeking a career in the healthcare system in a leadership role.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): the online DNP degree trains nurses to the profession's highest standards, anticipating that they will lead change in healthcare systems.
Tuition per credit hour for the online grad programs is $291 in–state and $393 out–of–state. For the accelerated BSN nursing program, tuition is $300 per credit. Fees are in addition.
2. Montana State University–Northern and Montana State University–Billings
Within the state public university system, Montana State University–Northern and Montana State University–Billings also each provide an online RN to BSN completion program.
These are for currently licensed registered nurses (RNs) who want to earn their BSN degrees.
Tuition per credit hour at MSU–Northern is $318.57 for in–state and $863.90 for out–of–state students. Per–hour tuition rates at MSU–Billings are not published.
3. University of Providence (Great Falls, Montana)
The online RN to BSN Program is 3 semesters and can be completed in 12 months. The cost for tuition is $522 per credit hour.
However, the university's nursing students may be eligible for a Providence Health Scholarship for this program, which pays $7,500 toward the total cost.
The university also offers a 12–month, three–semester Accelerated or Second–Degree BSN program for graduates holding bachelor's degrees.
Tuition is $786–1002 per credit hour. This is not an online program, and students will need to spend the year at one of the university's clinical sites either in Lewistown, Montana, or Anchorage, Alaska.
The online Masters in Nursing Nurse Educator program has two concentrations:
- MSN, Nurse Educator
- MSN, Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Tuition is $693 per credit hour. Employees of the Providence healthcare system will receive a tuition discount.
4. The University of Wyoming System
Beyond the Montana schools listed above, state students may want to enroll in an accredited accelerated online nursing program in another state. The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming offers online programs for aspiring nurses.
These distance programs include:
- BRAND "Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree" program: a mostly online Accelerated BSN option
- online RN to BSN degree program: for licensed RNs who were not educated in the state's community colleges
- primarily online MS in Health Services Administration: a 30–credit, non–thesis professional graduate degree is provided online and requires two years of part–time study.
5. Colorado Technical University
Colorado Tech offers an online MSN–NA (Nursing Administration) program that you can complete in as few as 18 months at a cost of only $17,760 for the entire degree program.
6. The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas has a very affordable accelerated online RN to BSN program that you can complete in nine months at only $257 per credit hour or $8995 for the entire degree program.
7. University of West Florida
You can earn your RN to BSN degree online from the University of West Florida, which also offers an online BSN to MSN degree program with specialties in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive, or Nursing Education.
Tuition per credit hour is $641 for undergrad courses and $1037 for graduate work.
FAQs about How to Obtain an Accelerated Nursing Degree Online
Read on to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about online fast track nursing degree programs in Montana.
How Long does an Accelerated Nursing Degree Program?
The length of the program depends upon which type of program you decide to enroll in. Most accelerated or bridge programs are one year or slightly longer.
Can I Get my Nursing Degree Completely Online?
While some programs offer nursing degrees completely online, most will require a clinical component that you will need to arrange, perhaps in your own local community.
How Much Does an Online Nursing Degree Cost in Montana?
The cost of an online nursing degree will vary, depending upon whether you enroll for a graduate or undergraduate degree, whether you attend a public or private university, and whether you are in state or out of state.
Montana's public university tuition is around $300 to 400 per credit hour.
Does Montana Have Nursing Programs for Native Americans?
Among Montana's tribal colleges, Blackfeet Community College offers a BSN degree in a hybrid format (partially online).
Salish Kootenai College provides a BSN four–year program as well as an RN to BSN program, but neither is online. Aaniiih Nakoda College also has an on–campus nursing program to train RNs.
In 2020, Montana State University introduced The Montana Advantage Nursing Scholarships program, which provides full scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students who enroll in its College of Nursing.
Find the Right Online Accelerated Nursing Degree Program in Montana
Are you looking to find the ideal accelerated online nursing program to fit your time schedule and help you enrich your career? Be sure to visit our site and its resources at Best Accredited Colleges.
