Registered Nurse
Associate of Science (ASN)
Using state-of-the-art technology and the latest techniques and procedures, this degree prepares you for a successful career as a registered nurse (RN). RNs are primarily responsible for patient care and patient care management. They have a unique scope of practice and can supervise and delegate, as well as collaborate with all members of the health care team. Your high-tech education in this program includes plenty of hands-on experience and a wide range of clinical skills. You will develop a base of knowledge used to provide patient care, assess, plan and intervene to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. The RN program is fully approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, you are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse.
Prior to applying for the RN program, students must be admitted to City College, and have completed the necessary prerequisites.
| TERM | DEADLINE | STATUS |
| Fall 2024 | May 24, 2024 | |
| Spring 2025 | August 30, 2024 |
| KEY | |
| Accepting applications for this semester | |
| Not yet accepting applications for this semester | |
| Application closed for this semester | |
Cost of Attendance
Registered Nurse
| Median Wage (MT)* | $59,900 yearly |
| $28.78 per hour | |
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| Median Wage (US)* | $66,600 yearly |
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$32.04 per hour |
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City College entry-level wages of graduates:$48,000 (2012-2015) |
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| Expected growth (MT)* | 22% |
| Expected growth (US)* | 16% |
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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections; MT Dept. of Labor and Industry, Research and Analysis Bureau; (projections through 2024) |
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According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Registered Nursing is among the top ten occupations with the largest job growth.
As a registered nurse, you will find employment in a variety of settings, such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Doctors' offices
- Extended care facilities
- Retirement centers
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing pools
- Government facilities such as prisons, detention facilities, and health centers
Examples of where recent City College graduates are working:
- Billings Clinic, Billings, MT
- St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, MT
- Advanced Care Hospital, Billings, MT
- New Care Concepts, INC, Seattle, WA
- Eagle Cliff Healthcare, Billings, MT
- Billings Health and Rehab, Billings, MT
- St. Peter’s Hospital, Helena, MT
- Bozeman Deaconess, Bozeman, MT
- RiverStone Health, Billings, MT
- Nightingale Home Healthcare, Billings, MT
- St. Joseph Regional Center, Lewiston, ID
- Beartooth Billings Clinic, Red Lodge, MT
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Houston, TX
- St. John’s Lutheran Ministries, Billings, MT
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Lame Deer, MT
- Big Horn Hospital, Hardin, MT
ADMISSION TO CITY COLLEGE
- First-time college students must have high school diplomas from an accredited high school, a GED/HiSET, or passed the MSUB Readiness Exam offered through our university.
- Transfer students will need to submit records from all regionally accredited institutions and meet with a City College nursing advisor. Appointments can be made by calling 406-247-3019.
ADMISSION TO REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM
After applying to the City College and completing the necessary prerequisite courses, students may apply to the Registered Nursing program. The nursing curriculum is a competitive entrance program based on a selective points system.
The City College ASN program is fully approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, you are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse.
Montana State University Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The City College Montana State University Billings Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
Practical Nurse » »
Registered Nurse
Practical Nursing graduates can obtain their ASN degree at City College. PNs will need to have all of the required ASN prerequisites completed before applying to the competitive entrance ASN program. Depending on previous coursework and experience, PNs may have completed the prerequisite courses and the first semester of the core ASN classes. Please see an Academic Advisor for more information.
Registered Nurse » »
Registered Nurse
MSU Billings started an RN to BSN Degree Completion Program in Fall of 2017, graduating the first class in Summer 2018. Students may begin taking courses towards their BSN completion once enrolled in the ASN Program. This Nursing 2+1 option will allow students to take certain courses from the RN to BSN program during their ASN program if they so choose.
What’s the difference between an ASN and a BSN?
The work environments and entry wage for RN’s with BSN degrees may be identical to that of RN’s with an ASN degree. Those who completed BSN programs have additional education in management, leadership, health policy, and research. Hospitals may have a preference for a BSN in specialty areas, such as ICU, labor and delivery, and pediatrics.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) - Optional Preparation
City College occasionally offers CNA training designed to prepare students to sit for the nursing assistant certification. This is an optional training that is not required for practical or registered nursing programs. The training usually runs during the summer months. Please contact our Director of Nursing, Susan Floyd (406.247.3073), for more information.
The MT Dept. of Public Health & Human Services Nurse Aide Registry lists multiple other sites in the state that also offer Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Programs.
- Nursing Appeals Committee Process
NOTE: Virtual Appeals Meeting Thursday, November 14, 2024 @ 2:00 p.m. & Monday, December 16, 2024 @ 2:00p.m. Please email appeals to sfloyd@msubillings.edu. Appeal requests are due one week before the meeting. - New Nursing Appeal Policy Change
- Nursing Student Handbook
