Applications for formal acceptance into the ASN program are accepted once a year. Applications are available at www.fvcc.edu/registered-nursing. In order to be considered for acceptance into the ASN program, the student must have
- Completed or be currently enrolled in the required prerequisite courses with a grade of "B-" or higher in BIOH 201, and "C" or higher in CHMY 121, M 140 or M 121, and WRIT 101. A grade of "C-" is not acceptable in the prerequisite courses;
- Completed BIOH 201 and CHMY 121 within five years of acceptance into the Nursing program. If Individuals have completed BIOH 211 and BIOM 250 before acceptance into the program, these courses must also be within five years of acceptance into the program. Individuals may request evaluation by the Nursing Program Director for a possible exception to this policy. (If BIOH 201 or BIOH 211 were taken before fall 2016 and are within the five-year acceptance period, a grade of "C+" is acceptable. Please note this will affect the student's GPA.)
- A selective GPA of 2.75 (out of 4.0 scale) in the four prerequisite courses;
- Completed BIOH 201 and CHMY 121 within five years of acceptance into the Nursing program Individuals may request evaluation by the Nursing Program Director for a possible exception;
- Degree status at FVCC with all required records on file;
- Taken the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam as part of the application process; and
- Submitted a signed application and $20.00 non-refundable processing fee receipt.
- Once offered placement, students must provide proof of current health insurance (FVCC Student Health Center does not meet this requirement), complete a background check, and provide proof of required immunizations to finalize the acceptance process.
- See Nursing Program Information Packet at www.fvcc.edu/nursing for more information regarding admission guidelines.
- This is a demanding program. Individuals will be required to actively participate in and subscribe to the legal and ethical tenets of the discipline while enrolled as a student and as a graduate.
- The focus of the ASN curriculum is to offer education leading to the knowledge that supports the RN to provide direct care to clients, individuals, or groups.
- Completion of the ASN degree does not guarantee FVCC's or the Montana University System's general education core is fulfilled.
- Once a student has applied and been accepted into the ASN program, each nursing course and BIOH 211 must be passed with a grade of "B-" or higher to continue in the program. A grade of "C" is acceptable for non-nursing courses: PSYX 100, SOCI 101, and BIOM 250.
- After successfully passing the NCLEX RN, the Montana Board of Nursing grants licensure to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse.
Opportunities After Graduation
- Individuals who successfully complete the ASN program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam will find many employment opportunities available to them in a wide variety of health care settings in Northwest Montana and other locations.
- A graduate of the program may choose to continue their education by pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in nursing.
Transfer Articulation Agreement
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Students who complete the Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) program have to opportunity to pursue a post-licensure Bachelors' of Science degree for Registered Nurses. FVCC has articulation agreements with the following four year colleges; Chamberlain University, Grand Canyon University, Post University, and Salish Kootenai College. See your advisor for more information about these opportunities.
Program Accreditation
Flathead Valley Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program holds accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, November 2019 through June 30, 2026.
The FVCC ASN program is also approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing, which is required for graduates of the program to be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam.
USDE Regulation:
USDE Education regulation 34.668.43 a(5)(v)
Montana is one of 34 states who belong, via state legislative ruling, to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Montana was officially recognized as a member of the NLC in January 2018. The NLC serves as a measure to provide legal protection to Registered Nurses who may practice telehealth across state lines, serve as travel nurses, and perform nursing duties that occur in other states in which they were licensed. “The NLC increases access to care while maintaining public protection at the state level. Under the NLC, nurses can practice in other NLC states, without having to obtain additional licenses.” Information about the NLC can be found at: https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm
Thus, when a student nurse graduates from Flathead Valley Community College, passes the National Council Licensure Exam (RN-NCLEX) in Montana, the Registered Nurse can legally work in Montana as a Registered Nurse as well as 33 other states. The licensee must continually hold an unencumbered license in order to meet the requirements of the NLC. State participants of the NLC can be found at: https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm
Flathead Valley Community College has not made a determination regarding whether its curriculum meets requirements for licensure in states that are not members of the NLC. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm
Please Note: Although the FVCC continues to seek information from other jurisdictions regarding licensure requirements, these requirements are subject to change. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Montana, FVCC recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency in the state you are interested in to obtain the most up-to-date information.
Outcomes
The FVCC ASN program consistently exceeds the national average on first time NCLEX pass rates. More information can be found on the Montana Board of Nursing website at https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/nur/new_nclex_rn.pdf
