Frequently Asked Questions - Department of Nursing

Students applying for a clinical seat in the BSN program must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on the eight pre-requisite courses listed on the BSN Fact Sheet and must have a C+ or higher in NRSG 107. In order to calculate your entrance score for consideration, 60 percent of the score will come from your GPA on these eight courses and 40 percent will come from your score on the TEAS (see below). Therefore, the lowest GPA accepted varies each year dependent on number of applicants, overall GPA of applicants and their scores on the TEAS. For the BSN post-licensure program, there is no minimum GPA, however you must have already earned an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (RN).

A TEAS exam is a Test Of Essential Academic Skills. BSN students must have a proficient score of 68 percent or higher. Proficient scores generally indicate a moderate level of overall academic preparedness necessary to support learning of nursing-related content. Students may purchase study guides and practice tests through www.atitesting.com. Preparing for the exam is highly recommended. BSN completion program students do not need to take the TEAS exam.

Applicants are required to have the following pre-requisites for consideration in the Nursing Department:

  • BIOH 201/202 *Human Anatomy & Physiology I -w/lab must be taken in-person and can only be repeated once
  • BIOH 211/212 *Human Anatomy & Physiology II -w/lab must be taken in-person and can only be repeated once
  • WRIT 121 Introduction to Technical Writing
  • CHMY 121 *Intro to General Chemistry
  • CHMY 122 *Intro to General Chemistry Lab
  • Math 121 *College Algebra
  • NUTR 258 *Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • PSYX 100 Intro to Psychology
  • NRSG 107 Perspectives in Professional Nursing
  • SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
  • PSYX 230 *Developmental Psychology
  • BIOM 250/251 *Microbiology for Health Sciences Lecture-w/lab
  • STAT 216 or 131 Introduction to Statistics or Biostatistics
  • HCI 316 Healthcare Ethics
  • HYMN XXX Humanities
  • WRIT 201 *College Writing II

* denotes prerequisite courses that will be included in the GPA calculations for admission.

Completion of a degree in nursing is costly. In addition to tuition and fees, nursing students should be aware that required nursing textbooks/reference materials are expensive and that many courses require several texts. The students should also plan for a number of out-of-pocket expenses related to clinical supplies and course /program requirements. Once accepted into the nursing program, BSN students are assessed a program fee each semester of $650.00. There is also current lab, insurance and distance fees that are approximately $535.00 for each semester of the program.

Four Years for a 120 credit BSN.

You will need to contact the Transfer Credit Evaluator in the Enrollment Service office to have a Transfer Credit Evaluation completed at 406-496-4698. It is the student's responsibility to obtain written documentation from the Montana Tech Registrar regarding approval of transfer and/or course substitutions. You must have PRIOR written approval from the Registrar that a course taken at another campus is equivalent to a MT Tech course.

Applications to the BSN program are available in the Nursing Department and online. The applications are only available in April and November. Once the application is filled out, it must be returned to the department and checked and signed by an advisor. Please contact the department for available hours, 406-496-4390 for additional information.

Applicants to the BSN programs must be current with:

  • Students must have proof of Tdap within the last 10 years. (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis).
  • Proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella and or immunity.
  • Proof of Varicella vaccination or immunity (two doses four weeks apart, or a positive titer).
  • Proof of annual (fall) Influenza vaccination.
  • Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination (series of three shots) or seroimmunity (demonstrated with a positive titer). It is important to note that you need to allow at least 7½ months to complete the series.
  • Current evidence of freedom from Tuberculosis (TB skin test or chest x-ray) annually.
  • CPR-- evidence of current completion of an approved CPR course, must have adult and infant (American Heart Association Health Care Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer.)

Students in the BSN program must have evidence of current completion of an approved CPR course, must have adult and infant (American Heart Association Health Care Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer.)

Background checks are required annually for both BSN programs. Full instructions on how to complete the background check will be provided to the newly admitted students prior to orientation.

Cost of text books varies from semester to semester, approximate cost is $800.00.

Pre-requisites can be attended as a part-time student, but once accepted into the clinical component of the BSN program the student is expected to be full-time. The BSN completion program can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.

General education courses are good for 10 years. Science courses (A&P I, A&P II, Introduction to General Chemistry, Introduction to General Chemistry Lab, Microbiology) are good for 5 years.

Please check with the transfer evaluator in the Enrollment Services office for more information 406-496-4485.

Applications for Fall are available the first week in April. Applications for Spring are available the first week in November.  Please call the Nursing Department for more information - 406-496-4390.

A drug screen is required for clinical.