University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Registered Nursing A.S.

Linda Barnes, Nursing Program Director

The Associate of Science in Nursing requires four semesters of full-time study. Applicants to the program must have completed all pre-nursing prerequisites, have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 (last 60 credits only), and have received a B or better in BIOH 201N/BIOH 202N and BIOH 201N/BIOH 202N

Admission to the program requires completion of the application which can be obtained on the Missoula College Health Professions webpage. The number of students accepted into the A.S.N. program is limited to 18 students in the autumn semester and 18 students in spring semester. All candidates who meet the admission requirements will be considered. Students learn Registered Nursing skills through independent study, lectures, simulations, demonstrations, and advanced skills practice in the nursing lab. Under instructor supervision and preceptorship, students also provide patient care in a variety of acute care settings.

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program is approved by the State Board of Nursing (301 South Park, Helena, MT 59601). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for the Education in Nursing (ACEN) (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326).

Students must provide proof of having met the following requirements to the Nursing Program Administrative Associate on or before the first day of class:

  1. Two-step tuberculosis testing using the PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) or chest x-ray (positive results will require a physician's letter before a student can continue in clinical settings);
  2. Hepatitis B vaccine and titer: The two- or three-injection Hepatitis B series must be started on or before acceptance into the program so the series is completed by the time clinical begins;
  3. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. For those born before 1956, it is not required to have an MMR, but a titer must be completed;
  4. Influenza vaccination or signed declination;
  5. Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination or positive titer;
  6. Basic Life Support (BLS) training Healthcare Provider;
  7. Criminal background check, including Sexual Offender Registry;
  8. 10-panel drug screen.

Many licensing bodies and employing institutions in health care have increasingly stringent requirements and background checks as conditions for licensing or employment. If a student has concerns about this, they should contact the licensing board for nursing.

Associate of Science - Registered Nursing

Summary

Registered Nursing Required Courses67
Writing Requirement3
Mathematics Requirement3-4
Total Hours73-74

Degree Specific Credits: 73-74

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Note: Students must pass all NRSG courses with a minimum grade of a B. It is highly recommended that students have completed SOCI 101SPSYX 100SBIOM 250N, and BIOM 251 prior to admission to the program.

Registered Nursing Required Courses

Note: Students must pass all Nursing (rubric NRSG) courses and BIOH 201N/BIOH 202N and BIOH 211N/BIOH 212N with a minimum grade of B.

Complete all of the following courses:
BIOH 201NHuman Anatomy & Physiology I4
BIOH 211NHuman Anatomy and Physiology II4
BIOM 250NMicrobiology for Health Sciences3
BIOM 251Microbiology Health Sciences Lab1
CHMY 121NIntroduction to General Chemistry4
CHMY 122Introduction to General Chemistry Lab1
NRSG 230Nursing Pharmacology3
NRSG 231Nursing Pharmacology Lab2
NRSG 232Foundations of Nursing3
NRSG 233Foundations of Nursing Lab3
NRSG 234Adult Nursing I3
NRSG 235Adult Nursing I Clinical2
NRSG 236Health and Illness of Maternal Nursing2
NRSG 237Health and Illness of Maternal Nursing Clinical1
NRSG 244Adult Nursing II3
NRSG 245Adult Nursing II Clinical2
NRSG 246Health and Illness of Child and Family Nursing2
NRSG 247Health and Illness of Child and Family Nursing Clinical1
NRSG 254Mental Health Concepts3
NRSG 255Mental Health Concepts Clinical1
NRSG 256Pathophysiology3
NRSG 259Adult Nursing III3
NRSG 260Adult Nursing III Lab1
NRSG 261Adult Nursing III Clinical2
NRSG 266Managing Client Care for the Registered Nurse2
NRSG 267Managing Client Care for the Registered Nurse Clinical2
PSYX 100SIntro to Psychology3
SOCI 101SIntroduction to Sociology3
Total Hours67

Writing Requirement

Note: Students who have completed WRIT 101, greater than ten years prior to applying to the Missoula College must take the Writing Placement test. If the score on the test places the student in WRIT 101, the transfer credits will be accepted for the nursing program requirements. If the student places below the required standard, then they shall remediate as needed prior to application to the nursing program. All students need to take WRIT 101 for the nursing program.

Complete the following course:
WRIT 101College Writing I3
Total Hours3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Mathematics Requirement

Note: M 121 is the recommended math course. Courses that may substitute for M 121 are M 115, M 151, M 162, or M 171. Mathematics and writing prerequisite coursework should have been completed no more than 10 years prior to application to any specific health professions program. If mathematics and writing prerequisite coursework is greater than 10 years old, the student should take the writing and mathematics placement exams administered by the college. If the student places into a comparable level to the specific course in question, then that course shall be accepted as a valid prerequisite for the intended program. If the student places below the required standard, then they shall remediate as needed prior to application to the nursing program.

Complete one of the following courses:3-4
Probability and Linear Mathematics
College Algebra (recommended)
Precalculus
Applied Calculus
Calculus I
Total Hours3-4

Minimum Required Grade: C-