Best Montana LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2026
Montana offers bridge programs that combine classroom instruction with clinical practice. Students learn advanced nursing concepts and participate in hospital-based training. These programs emphasize preparation for licensure and the ability to take on RN responsibilities.
Montana LPN to RN Program Overview
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Montana LPNs considering an LPN to RN bridge should expect program-specific requirements that commonly include:
- Current, unencumbered LPN license that is valid in Montana at the time of application and prior to clinical placement.
- Completion of prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA set by the school. Typical prerequisites include anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, microbiology with lab, human development or psychology, nutrition, English composition, and a college-level math course.
- Proof of required immunizations and health clearance, current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers, and ability to meet essential technical standards for clinical practice.
- Criminal background check and drug screening before clinicals.
- Standardized nursing admission testing may be required by some programs.
- For working LPNs: verified work experience can strengthen the application and may qualify you for advanced placement or challenge credits in some programs, but it does not usually replace required clinical hours.
Many programs are competitive. Plan to complete prerequisites and submit transcripts, references, and a resume well ahead of application deadlines.
Program Curriculum and Accreditation
LPN to RN curricula in Montana build on practical nursing experience while expanding clinical judgment and RN-level scope of practice. Students typically complete:
- LPN-to-RN transition concepts and role development
- Advanced adult medical-surgical nursing with complex care
- Maternal-newborn and pediatric nursing
- Mental health and community or population health nursing
- Health assessment for RNs, pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology
- Nursing leadership, teamwork, informatics, and evidence-based practice
- Supervised clinical rotations and simulation experiences in multiple settings across Montana
Graduating from a Montana Board of Nursing approved prelicensure RN program is required to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for RN licensure in the state. Many Montana programs also hold national accreditation through ACEN or CCNE, which supports transferability of credits, employer recognition, and eligibility for graduate study.
For program approval and licensure information, consult the Montana Board of Nursing.
LPN to RN Schools and Classes
Across Montana, LPN to RN education is primarily offered through public community and tribal colleges and regional state colleges. A limited number of university options may exist depending on campus location and capacity. Programs commonly offer advanced placement pathways that recognize prior LPN education and experience, allowing qualified LPNs to enter at the second semester or later of an associate degree RN track when prerequisites are complete.
Coursework blends classroom, online or hybrid content with hands-on labs and clinicals. Expect classes such as transition to professional nursing, complex adult health, maternal-child and pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, advanced pharmacology and pathophysiology, comprehensive health assessment, leadership and management, and rural or community health. Clinical learning typically spans critical access hospitals, medical-surgical units, long-term care, clinics, and public health settings to reflect Montana’s urban and rural healthcare needs.
Career Outlook
RNs in Montana work in hospitals, critical access facilities, outpatient clinics, long-term care, home health and hospice, public health departments, schools, and tribal and federal health services. Rural and frontier areas often have persistent need for RNs, and employers value nurses who are flexible with travel and varied shifts. Hospital roles often involve 12-hour shifts, while clinics and public health may offer more traditional weekday schedules.
Compared with LPNs, RNs in Montana have a broader scope, including comprehensive assessments, development of nursing care plans, patient and family education, and supervision of LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel. RNs generally have access to wider specialty options and leadership pathways. Demand for RNs is steady statewide, supported by an aging population and ongoing workforce needs in rural regions.
LPN to RN Program Length
- Full-time bridge to associate degree RN: commonly 3 to 4 semesters after prerequisites, depending on advanced placement.
- Part-time options: often 5 to 7 semesters after prerequisites, designed for working LPNs who need reduced course loads.
- Evening or weekend formats: available at select campuses and typically extend the timeline compared to standard day tracks.
Time to completion varies by how many prerequisites you have finished, campus capacity, clinical scheduling, and whether you pursue an associate degree path or seek advanced standing toward a BSN via a university. In Montana, associate pathways are the most common LPN to RN option, while LPN-to-BSN routes are more limited and may require entering a traditional BSN program with credit for prior learning.
Tuition and Costs (Range of common state LPN to RN costs)
Tuition for public LPN to RN bridge programs in Montana varies by institution, residency status, and nursing program fees. In general, in-state tuition for an associate degree bridge is significantly lower at public colleges than at universities, but nursing courses carry additional per-credit and program fees. Budget for:
- Tuition and mandatory fees for nursing and general education credits
- Books, online resources, skills lab supplies, uniforms, stethoscope, and required technology
- Immunizations, background check, drug screening, and health insurance as required by clinical sites
- Travel and lodging for clinical rotations, which can include rural placements
- Licensure expenses after graduation, including application and NCLEX-RN testing fees
Housing costs in Montana vary by city and season. College towns and resort areas often have higher rents than smaller communities. Students who plan to relocate or travel for clinicals should account for deposits, utilities, transportation, and potential childcare.
Can I Take LPN to RN Classes Online?
Montana schools increasingly use hybrid formats. Didactic coursework may be offered online or in a blended format, while skills labs and all direct patient care clinical hours are conducted in person at approved facilities with faculty oversight. This means a fully online, prelicensure LPN to RN program is not typical in Montana because clinical and lab requirements must be met face to face.
Some out-of-state programs advertise distance options, but clinical placements in Montana must still meet state approval and site availability. Always verify that any program you consider is approved for Montana licensure and will qualify you to take the NCLEX-RN by checking with the Montana Board of Nursing.
LPN to RN Licensure Requirements in Montana
NCLEX-RN Exam Information
After completing an LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN program, Montana candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. Register for the exam through the official NCLEX site at nclex.com, then apply to the Montana Board of Nursing for RN licensure by examination. Once the Board determines you are eligible, you will receive an Authorization to Test and can schedule with Pearson VUE.
- Submit an application for RN licensure by examination to the Montana Board of Nursing, including required fees and an official transcript sent directly from your program showing degree awarded and graduation date.
- Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check as directed by the Board.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN and satisfy any final Board requirements to have the RN license issued in Montana.
Application forms, instructions, and current fees are available from the Montana Board of Nursing.
RN Reciprocity and Nurse Licensure Compact
Montana licenses out-of-state RNs by endorsement. Applicants must hold an active RN license in another U.S. jurisdiction, submit verification of licensure, complete a background check, and meet Montana’s education and legal requirements. Montana does not maintain separate one-to-one reciprocity agreements with individual states. Instead, the Board recognizes qualified applicants through the endorsement process.
Montana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. RNs who hold an unencumbered multistate license in another compact state may practice in Montana under that multistate privilege while their primary state of residence remains the other compact state. If you move to Montana and declare it your primary state of residence, you must apply for a Montana multistate license to continue practicing. Learn more about compact privileges at the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Licensure Requirements
The Montana Board of Nursing, part of the Department of Labor and Industry, regulates RN licensure and practice statewide. Key requirements include:
- Completion of an approved prelicensure RN program such as an ADN or BSN.
- Application and fees for RN licensure by examination or by endorsement.
- Official transcripts sent directly to the Board.
- Fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background check.
- Passing the NCLEX-RN for initial licensure by examination.
RNs must follow the Montana Nursing Practice Act and administrative rules, practice within the RN scope, and keep the Board informed of name and address changes.
License Renewal
Montana RN licenses renew on a two-year cycle. The renewal deadline falls at the end of the Board’s established cycle, typically December 31 of the renewal year. Submit your renewal before the deadline to avoid a lapse in licensure. Do not practice on an expired license.
- Continuing education: The Montana Board of Nursing does not currently mandate CE hours for RN renewal. Employers may set their own requirements, and the Board encourages ongoing competence.
- Multistate licenses: RNs holding a Montana multistate license must continue to meet all Nurse Licensure Compact eligibility criteria to maintain multistate privilege.
Confirm current renewal dates, fees, and any updates to requirements directly with the Montana Board of Nursing.
Average LPN State Salary in Montana
$58,710
2024 LPN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
LPN to ADN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Typically 1 to 2 years. Some programs, like the one at Helena College University of Montana, can be completed in as little as two full-time semesters.
Credential Awarded:
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
This pathway builds upon the existing knowledge of an LPN, with a curriculum centered on providing the necessary skills and education for entry-level registered nursing roles. The focus is on direct patient care in various healthcare settings.
Average In-State Tuition in Montana:
Tuition and fees can range from approximately $5,955 to $7,727 per year at public institutions. For example, Helena College has a total program cost ranging from $8,678 to $13,378.
Best For:
LPNs who wish to become an RN quickly and at a lower initial cost, providing a faster route to increased earning potential and a broader scope of practice.
School Types:
Community colleges and two-year colleges are the primary providers of LPN to ADN bridge programs in Montana.
LPN to BSN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Generally 2 to 3 years of additional schooling beyond the LPN. LPN to BSN programs are often structured as accelerated pathways within existing BSN programs.
Credential Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
These programs provide a more comprehensive education that includes all the clinical skills of an ADN, but with additional training in nursing leadership, research, and community health. The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses for a wider range of roles and leadership positions.
Average In-State Tuition in Montana:
In-state tuition and fees at a four-year public university like Montana State University are approximately $7,727 per year.
Best For:
LPNs who are planning for long-term career growth, leadership roles, or future graduate studies. This pathway is also beneficial for those who want to work in hospital settings that prefer or require a BSN.
School Types:
Universities and four-year colleges are the typical providers of LPN to BSN bridge programs.
Choose LPN→ADN If:
- Faster Entry into the RN Role: The shorter program duration allows for a quicker transition to a registered nursing position.
- Lower Initial Cost: Generally, the overall tuition and fees for an associate's degree are less than for a bachelor's degree.
- Immediate Increase in Earning Potential: Graduates can experience a significant salary increase compared to an LPN in a shorter amount of time.
- Foundation for Future Education: An ADN serves as a solid foundation for later enrolling in an RN to BSN bridge program, often with flexible online options.
Choose LPN→BSN If:
- Broader Career Opportunities: A BSN opens doors to more specialized areas of nursing, as well as roles in leadership, administration, and education.
- Higher Long-Term Earning Potential: While requiring a greater initial investment, a BSN can lead to higher salaries over the course of a career.
- Increasing Industry Standard: Many healthcare employers, particularly hospitals, prefer or require a BSN for their registered nurses.
- Preparation for Advanced Degrees: A BSN is the necessary foundation for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).