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Montana RN Certification and Schools - MT
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 16th, 2010
The U.S. Federal Government predicts a shortage of more than 200,000 nurses by the year 2010 due to a significant number of retiring nurses and a lack of qualified professionals to take their places. In addition to this trend that is having a negative impact on all states in the nation, Montana’s rural geography requires more qualified nurses who can travel long distances to serve remote communities. Montana is home to Yellowstone National Park and is a beautiful and rural state where 82% of its counties are considered “frontier” counties, with six or fewer human residents per square mile.
Throughout the state of Montana, the number of RN jobs is expected to increase by 26% in the next decade. In 2006, there were 7,400 RNs employed in Montana, and experts expect this to jump to 9,350 by 2016.
Montana Nursing Educational Programs
Montana RN schools offer educational options for future nurses that are designed to meet the academic and practical needs of those wishing to make a career in nursing. Montana RN schools’ curriculum covers in-depth functioning of the human body’s systems, i.e. musculoskeletal, respiratory, endocrine, etc., as well as how to treat injuries, illness, and patient interaction. A Bachelor’s or Master’s in Nursing program, offered at undergraduate and graduate institutions throughout Montana, are designed to take between four and six years, and requires students to take core liberal arts classes (History, Literature, etc.) in addition to their nursing classes. These programs offer more intensive schooling and training for those entering the nursing field than diploma or certificate programs.
For those who do not have the inclinations, time, and/or resources for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, there are two to three year nursing programs offered at hospitals or community colleges that provide the same eligibility for nursing licensure in the state of Montana. These programs do not require students to take as many liberal arts classes, if at all. The curriculum focuses on learning and applying standard nursing practices.
RN Continued Education Requirements in Montana
Licensed Registered Nurses in the state of Montana are not required to earn continuing education units for the renewal of their license. However, it is a good idea to participate in continuing education in subjects related to your position or specialty for optimal patient care and career advancement. Continuing education hours are in various locations throughout Montana, online, on CD, and in just about every major city in the world. Hours can be earned on a wide array of subjects related to nursing and medicine by attending conferences, listening to tapes or watching movies, through independent study, or taking classes.
Through campus or online programs, aspiring Registered Nurses in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Butte, Bozeman and Helena, Montana may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Northern Montana Hospital and St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.