With the strong demand for more skilled healthcare workers in Montana, the state is placing an increased emphasis on improving access to comprehensive education for the students who will eventually go on to fill these jobs.
Nurses represent a major component of this workforce, and those with BSNs are better able to contribute to keeping patients healthy, while also commanding higher salaries.
Analysis of the Salaries of BSN Prepared RNs in Montana
The salaries of nurses rise with their level of education and ability to take on more clinical responsibilities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the findings of a 2013 analysis of the top-earning RNs in Montana, which represented those with BSN degrees:
In contrast, RNs with ADN degrees only earned an average of $46,030.
Healthcare is the fastest growing industry in Montana. The state’s Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) reported the number of jobs for registered nurses expected to become available in the near future in the projections shown here:
- 328 openings are expected for 2015
- 322 openings are expected each year between 2016 and 2022
However, a survey of Montana’s employers revealed that demand for registered nurses might, in fact, be even higher than these projections indicate, according to a 2014 report by Montana HealthCARE.
Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs throughout Montana
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the salaries of nurses with BSN degrees in key regions throughout Montana (2013):