A fast, well-supported route into nursing in Montana — Carroll College’s 15-month Accelerated Nursing Track pairs a $30,000 forgivable loan through a Benefis Health System partnership with roughly 850 hours of clinical and simulation training across unusually diverse settings, including rural and correctional nursing.
Carroll College’s Accelerated Nursing Track is a fast-paced option for students who already hold a prior associate or bachelor’s degree and want to transition into nursing. The program delivers 57 nursing credits over four consecutive terms (summer, fall, spring, and a final summer) in about 15 months, integrating classroom learning, lab practice, and clinical experience across many patient populations.
A Catholic college in Helena, Carroll combines a values-centered curriculum with strong clinical infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art simulation center and a partnership with Benefis Health System that offers eligible students a $30,000 interest-free, forgivable loan through its Commitment to Care program.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Carroll College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing, which oversees nursing licensure in the state. Carroll College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). This accreditation ensures the curriculum meets national standards for nursing education, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Carroll College Accelerated Nursing Track targets students who already hold a prior degree and want a fast transition into nursing. Applicants must meet academic standards and complete several prerequisite courses before beginning the program.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 cumulative GPA from all prior college coursework
- Prior Degree: Associate (AA/AS) or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Prerequisite Coursework: Must be completed with a grade of C- or better
- Application System: NursingCAS application portal
- Rolling Admissions: Begins October 2 until the cohort reaches capacity
- Clinical Readiness: Immunization records, criminal background check, 10-panel drug screening, current health insurance, and American Heart Association BLS certification
Required Prerequisite Courses
Students must complete several foundational science and general education courses before entering the program. Science prerequisites must normally be completed within five years of program admission.
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs)
- Microbiology (with lab)
- Essentials of Chemistry (with lab)
- Organic & Biochemistry
- Statistics
- Introduction to Sociology
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- One Theology course
- One Philosophy course, including an ethical reasoning course
Curriculum
The Accelerated BSN curriculum includes 57 nursing credits delivered through an intensive semester format across four consecutive terms (summer, fall, spring, and a final summer). The curriculum integrates classroom learning, lab practice, and clinical experience across many patient populations.
ACNU201 Fundamentals & Health Promotion + Lab
This foundational course introduces students to essential nursing skills and the nursing process while emphasizing health promotion strategies for individuals across all life stages. Students explore professionalism, ethical standards, nursing theory, communication techniques, and various nursing roles through comprehensive study. Practical application occurs through laboratory skill mastery and community-based clinical experiences.
ACNU202 Assessment & Health Promotion + Lab
Students develop comprehensive health assessment abilities and evidence-based health promotion techniques essential for professional nursing practice. The course focuses on building physical examination skills and assessment competencies that form the foundation for clinical decision-making. Proper documentation of assessment findings and their application in healthcare settings is emphasized throughout the program.
ACNU208 Nutrition for Healthcare
This interdisciplinary course examines major nutrient categories, their physiological functions, and nutrition’s role throughout human development for healthcare professionals. Students analyze the relationship between nutrition and disease while exploring therapeutic nutritional interventions and health promotion strategies for various conditions. The curriculum addresses nutritional challenges affecting diverse and vulnerable populations within healthcare settings and broader community contexts.
ACNU308A Pathophysiology & Pharmacology Part I
Students examine structural and functional changes in human physiology resulting from disease and injury, focusing on how these alterations affect overall body function across the lifespan. The course explores disease mechanisms, clinical manifestations organized by body systems, and the complex interplay of genetic, physiologic, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural factors contributing to health conditions. Basic pharmacological principles are integrated to understand drug effects on human physiology and the application of nursing process to medication therapy.
ACNU302 Psychosocial Health + Lab & Clinical
This course explores fundamental psychosocial concepts and theories essential to nursing practice while emphasizing the therapeutic use of self in promoting mental health. Students develop intervention strategies based on nursing process, established nursing theories, and current research findings. Clinical experience in psychiatric treatment facilities provides hands-on application of psychosocial nursing principles.
ACNU308 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
Students study the underlying structural and functional changes in body systems caused by disease or injury and their impact on overall human function throughout the lifespan. The course examines disease mechanisms, clinical presentations by body system, and the multifactorial influences including genetics, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural factors affecting health outcomes. Pharmacological principles are integrated to understand drug actions, therapeutic effects, and potential toxicities in relation to disease processes.
ACNU289 Special Topics
This flexible course offering covers selected topics not included in the regular nursing curriculum but may fulfill specific curricular requirements. Course content varies by semester based on departmental discretion and current healthcare trends or specialized nursing areas. Students should consult instructors or department chairs for specific topic information and course expectations.
ACNU301A Care of the Family Part I + Lab & Clinical
Students explore family health nursing theory and practice with particular emphasis on childbearing families and pediatric wellness care. The course covers nursing care from conception through pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum period, newborn care, and pediatric nursing within a family-centered, developmental framework. Family structure, cultural values, spirituality, and their application to health promotion interventions for childbearing families are central themes.
ACNU304 Illness Across the Lifespan I
This foundational medical-surgical nursing course utilizes the nursing process as a framework for managing pathophysiological problems in individuals with acute and chronic conditions across all age groups. Students assess physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual factors influencing health conditions, including palliative and end-of-life care considerations. Laboratory experiences provide hands-on application of nursing procedures, simulation experiences, and integration of communication, teamwork, prioritization, quality improvement, and safety principles.
ACNU305A Clinical Nursing Care I Part I
Students apply theoretical nursing knowledge to adult patient care in diverse acute clinical settings using the nursing process framework. The course emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and priority setting while caring for patients with various adaptive and maladaptive responses to health stressors. Clinical experiences include observation and participation in multiple healthcare settings, simulation laboratory work, and exploration of registered nurse roles in acute care environments.
ACNU301B Care of the Family Part II + Lab & Clinical
This continuation course builds upon Part I concepts in family health nursing with advanced application of theory and practice for childbearing families and pediatric care. Students deepen their understanding of family-centered nursing approaches while expanding clinical skills and knowledge. The course maintains focus on family structure, cultural considerations, and health promotion interventions within the context of advanced nursing practice.
ACNU305B Clinical Nursing Care I Part II
Students continue developing clinical nursing skills through advanced application of nursing process principles in acute care settings with adult patients. This course builds upon Part I experiences while expanding critical thinking abilities, priority setting skills, and clinical decision-making competencies. Students engage in more complex patient care scenarios while strengthening collaboration, communication, and patient teaching abilities.
ACNU404A Illness Across the Lifespan II Part I
Students advance their medical-surgical nursing knowledge by managing complex pathophysiological problems in individuals across the lifespan using the nursing process framework. The course incorporates assessment of multiple factors influencing health conditions, including palliative care and end-of-life considerations, while exploring the professional nurse’s role in health promotion and disease prevention. Online and in-class lectures are combined with nursing skills and simulation laboratory experiences.
ACNU307 EBP Research Methods
This advanced writing course explores fundamental processes of nursing theory, research methodology, database evaluation, and evidence-based practice principles. Students develop skills in using evidence-based practice to deliver high-quality patient care while preparing for their roles as current students and future professional nurses. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of research and its application to clinical nursing practice.
ACNU404B Illness Across the Lifespan II Part II
Students continue advanced study of medical-surgical nursing concepts while managing increasingly complex pathophysiological conditions across the lifespan. This course builds upon Part I foundations while expanding knowledge of nursing process application in challenging clinical scenarios. Students further develop expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based nursing practice.
ACNU414 Community & Public Health Nursing
Students apply comprehensive nursing knowledge to work with individuals, families, communities, and population groups while exploring public health nursing as an integration of health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and population-based initiatives. The epidemiological process serves as the unifying concept for understanding community health programs and services. Students develop community assessment skills, interdisciplinary collaboration abilities, and understanding of environmental health impacts while emphasizing social justice and care for vulnerable populations.
ACNU413 Clinical Nursing Care II
This advanced clinical course accompanies Illness Across the Lifespan II and builds upon previous medical-surgical nursing experiences to provide patient-centered care emphasizing individual dignity and holistic approaches. Students care for clients with complex health conditions across various settings while utilizing nursing process principles, critical thinking, and priority setting skills. The course integrates evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety principles, and interdisciplinary teamwork while exploring diverse nursing roles including surgical, outpatient, rural, and correctional nursing.
ACNU406 Leadership & Management + Lab & Clinical
Students explore the relationship between management and leadership processes in healthcare delivery while examining issues impacting healthcare systems. The course develops skills necessary for nurse managers and leaders to effectively assess, plan, design, staff, coordinate, direct, and evaluate safe, quality patient-centered healthcare delivery. Students practice leadership and management competencies through laboratory and clinical experiences.
ACNU417 Capstone Clinical & Seminar
This culminating course assists students in integrating essential competencies for professional nursing practice through a progressive clinical experience. Students transition from structured supervised practice to general faculty and preceptor supervision while demonstrating readiness for independent nursing practice. Clinical placements are individualized based on joint analysis of student needs and faculty assessment of competency development.
ACNU427 Comprehensive Nursing Review
This course supports student preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination through comprehensive review of nursing content and test-taking strategies. Students maintain accountability for developing and completing their personal NCLEX preparation plan while utilizing online computerized resources, published review materials, and video resources. The course emphasizes individual responsibility for examination readiness and successful transition to professional nursing practice.
More detail is available in the Carroll College nursing catalog.
Clinical Experience
The program includes approximately 850 hours of combined clinical and simulation training. Clinical learning begins early in the nursing sequence and continues throughout the program, giving students hands-on experience in diverse healthcare environments:
- Hospitals in Helena
- Public health agencies
- Assisted-living facilities
- Long-term care centers
- Psychiatric care settings
- School health environments
- Community health programs
Carroll also uses a state-of-the-art simulation center where students practice clinical skills in a controlled environment before treating real patients. Some clinical placements may occur outside Helena, and students must provide their own transportation when required.
Tuition
The estimated tuition for the Accelerated BSN program is approximately $55,000, based on four terms at about $13,750 per term. Program and clinical fees bring the estimated total cost closer to $60,000-$63,000 for the full program. A partnership with Benefis Health System offers the Commitment to Care program, which provides eligible students with a $30,000 interest-free loan that may be forgiven if graduates work as registered nurses for the health system.
Confirm current figures via the official cost of attendance page.