Practical Nurse
Associate of Applied Science Degree

Advisor: Cheryll Alt, Patti Kercher & Cindy Schultz

View Our Website   Application Packet

The Practical Nurse program prepares individuals to function as entry-level practical nurses with the ability to give safe, effective nursing care. The Practical Nurse program at Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology is currently approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing.

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Practical Nursing, students will be prepared to begin a successful career as a practical nurse. Students are prepared to sit for the national licensure examination for practical nursing.

Outcomes - Graduates are prepared to:

• Administer effective and ethical individual patient care;
  
  
• Communicate professionally with all medical and supportive staff;
  
  
• Integrate bio-psychosocial and scientific principles while providing technically competent care in a variety of healthcare settings;
  
  
• Work in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, ambulatory care, physician’s offices, home healthcare, dialysis, assisted living facilities, and other geriatric environments;
  
  
• Promote lifelong learning fostering the development of professional growth, critical thinking, and leadership; and
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of the major health problems affecting our society.
  
  

The Practical Nurse program is a limited enrollment program. Interested students must apply for entry into the program. An application packet is available on the program website and from the Health Science Program Assistant. The length of the program is three consecutive semesters. Accepted students will be required to provide proof of Health Care Provider CPR certification, negative Tuberculosis test, and provide a physician’s authorization before the beginning of the fall semester. Computer skills are highly recommended.

The Hepatitis B immunization series is strongly recommended before entrance into the program. A student may be denied access to clinical rotations without an adequate Hepatitis B titer. Students having religious or personal conflicts against receiving Hepatitis B vaccine must sign a release form.

Estimated Resident Program Cost:

Tuition and Fees	$7499
Application Fee	$30
Insurance	$24
Lab Fees	$230
Uniforms	$225
Books	$2250
TOTAL:	$10,258

Prerequisite Coursework

The following courses must be completed prior to admission into the Practical Nurse Program. All prerequisite course work must completed with a minimum grade of “C-” in each course and a minimum cumulative GPA in prerequisite course work of 2.0. Grades in prerequisite courses are a major factor in ranking applications for program acceptance.

First Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
BIO	213**	Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab	4+
CHM	111*	Inorganic Chemistry/ Lab	4+
MATH	161**	College Algebra w/ Science Applications	3+
NURS	100	Introduction to Nursing	1+
		SUBTOTAL	12

 

Second Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
AH	219*	Nutrition & Diet Therapy	2+
BIO	214*	Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab	4+
ENGL	121**	Composition I	3+
PSY	101	General Psychology	3+
		SUBTOTAL	12

Science courses must be completed within five (5) years of application to the program and other courses must be completed within 15 years of applying to the Practical Nurse Program.

Program Course Requirements After Formal Acceptance

Once enrolled in nursing courses, a minimum of a grade of “C-” in all courses is required to continue in the program. In the clinical setting, students must achieve a grade of 75% in all rotations of each clinical experience.

The courses listed below are required in the program of study for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Practical Nursing. The courses are offered at MSU - Great Falls College of Technology in the following sequence:

Fall Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
NURS	140*	Pharmacology	3+
NURS	150*	Fundamentals of Nursing	7+
NURS	250*	Gerontology	2+
		SUBTOTAL	12

 

Spring Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
NURS	260*	Adult Nursing	7+
NURS	270*	Maternal Child Nursing	3+
NURS	280*	Mental Health Nursing	2+
		SUBTOTAL	12

Summer Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
NURS	290*	Nursing Leadership	2+
		SUBTOTAL	2

 

Suggested Electives

Course	No.	Title	Credits
AH	120*	IV Therapy	1
		SUBTOTAL	1

* This class is a highly recommended addition to the standard nursing curriculum. It will provide you with IV certification which many employers value or require for employment.

Total Program Credits: 50~

~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedules.

+ A grade of "C-" or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment