University Communications and Marketing

MSU Billings nursing programs reach milestones

First class of RN to BSN Completion students graduates while City College ASN spring graduates receive 100% pass rate on licensure exam

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University Billings announces milestones in both the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs on the City College and university campuses.

The ASN program’s spring 2018 class recently received a 100 percent pass rate in the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The 18 graduates were the first group in the registered nurse (RN) program at MSU Billings to receive a 100 percent pass rate during the NCLEX.

The students graduating from the ASN program were also the first group who have received their education through a new curriculum format. The ASN RN program was previously a six-semester program with an imbedded practical nursing program. It is now a five-semester program with the practical nursing program now a separate program for a Certificate of Applied Science. The six-semester program included two semesters of pre-requisite courses and the five-semester program has one.

“This is an upward trend in the RN program. The impressive feat accomplished during the graduates’ licensure set us up nicely as the program seeks to secure national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA),” says Susan Floyd, nursing director at City College.

The City College RN program currently holds pre-accreditation candidacy status from the NLN CNEA.

Students who graduate from the ASN program at City College have the opportunity to continue their education in the RN to BSN Completion program through the College of Allied Health Professions. The first class of the new program at MSU Billings recently completed the requirements to receive their BSN degrees.

Fourteen students who completed the 49-credit, fully online curriculum had a pinning ceremony to celebrate their work in completing their BSN degrees on August 11, 2018.

“The 14 graduating students have done a phenomenal job completing the program in one year while most are continuing to work as registered nurses along with their home and family life,” says Becky Anglin, RN to BSN program coordinator. “The faculty would like to extend their warmest congratulations to the first graduating class.”

Six students received awards at the pinning ceremony for their hard work, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond the program requirements. Awards were given out in the areas of faculty recognition, outstanding student, leadership in the RN to BSN program, community outreach and service, and clinical excellence.

Winners of the awards are as follows:

• Faculty Choice Recognition Award: Donna Hare
• Outstanding Student Award: Emilee Kidd
• Leadership in the RN to BSN Program: Carly May
• Community Outreach and Service Award: Emilee Kidd and Crystal Friedrich
• Clinical Excellence Award Preceptor Nomination: Crystal Bouchard and Estela Kaufman

Twenty-six other students are currently enrolled in the program, and applications are still being accepted for the fall semester. Ten of the students in the program are former graduates of the City College ASN program with six more starting the program this fall.

Of the students currently graduating the BSN program, four are past graduates of the City College ASN program.

For more information on the ASN program at City College, contact Susan Floyd, director of nursing at City College, at 406-247-3073 or sfloyd@msubillings.edu.