Requirements and Information about the ASN, RN-BSN, and BSN Program
This is the last year, Academic Year 2020-2021, that students will be admitted to the ASN degree. Testing for this cohort has closed and students will be notified of acceptance by July 2020. These students will graduate in Spring of 2022 and will be the last ASN class to graduate. Salish Kootenai College is implementing the 4-year BSN degree this coming Fall Quarter, 2020. Students who are interested in the BSN degree should refer to the website; applications for Fall of 2021 are due by December 15, 2020 with pre-admission exam testing in February of 2021.
The ASN and BSN degree program options are designed to provide the entry level skills and knowledge needed to obtain licensure and work as a Registered Nurse. The RN-BSN program option is designed for ASN prepared Registered Nurses to complete their BSN. Both the ASN and BSN programs are approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing (same contact information). The ASN and BSN programs are accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326. Phone: (404) 975-5000. http://acenursing.org
Important Information for ASN Students
Expenses
In addition to SKC tuition and fees, nursing students have significant costs including laboratory, program fees, textbooks, uniforms, name tag, health insurance, background checks, drug screens, and clinical travel. RN licensure expenses include the NCLEX-RN exam fee and travel to the testing site.
Clinical Laboratories
Nursing coursework includes interactive learning activities in the classroom, independent study, campus practice lab, and clinical practice in a variety of institutional and community based health care settings. One lab credit hour represents three contact hours. Clinical facilities are located in Ronan, Polson, Plains, Kalispell, Missoula, and other western Montana communities. Overnight stays in various communities may be necessary throughout the program. Clinical labs may be scheduled on days, evenings, nights, or on weekends. During the last quarter of the program, students participate in preceptorships, following the work schedules of RN preceptors. Students are responsible for housing and transportation to and from clinical facilities.
Nursing Department Policies
Due to the unique nature of the nursing profession, the Nursing Department maintains policies in addition to those of the college. The policies are available in the ASN Student Handbook. Examples include progression, professional behavior, and grading policies.
Additional Requirements for Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN)
Completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing is not the sole criteria for obtaining a license to practice as a registered nurse. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (ncsbn.org) publishes requirements by state. The Montana Nurse Practice Act authorizes the State Board of Nursing (http://mt.gov/dli/nur/) to set requirements for RN Licensure in Montana. Requirements for licensure include:
- Graduation from an approved school of nursing.
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam.
- The capacity to maintain the professional code of nursing practice. Licensure may be denied to graduates/nurses who demonstrate:
- Fraudulent information or misrepresentation in the licensing application or exam.
- Active history of substance abuse/chemical dependency
- Failure to maintain the professional conduct of nurses.
- Conviction of a crime that relates adversely to the practice of nursing.