Nursing Major Activities
Access to Clinical Experiences
Clinical experience begins in the 200-level nursing courses and occurs in diverse community settings, varying from Helena’s hospitals to public health, assisted-living, long-term care, home visits, and psychiatric and school settings. Although nursing clinical is primarily in Helena, out of town clinical may be required, necessitating personal transportation. In addition, on-campus clinical experiences are provided in the on-campus nursing clinical simulation center. Each nursing course at Carroll provides quality, personalized learning experiences.
Nursing students are expected to purchase Carroll College nursing scrubs, nametags, hand-held mobile device, and other items needed for clinical/ lab experience. As part of the application process and prior to beginning 200-level courses, nursing students must show proof of freedom from communicable tuberculosis and immunity to hepatitis B, varicella, and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students are required to have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification prior to beginning clinical and must update this CPR certification as required. Students must update their TB test annually and obtain an annual flu vaccination as required.
Professional nursing is regulated in Montana by the Board of Nursing to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. As part of their educational program, student nurses are entrusted with the responsibility of providing certain kinds of nursing care to clients/patients. It is the responsibility of the faculty to determine that the student nurse has demonstrated reasonable competence to render nursing interventions without risk to the client/patient. If the faculty member’s evaluation of the student nurse’s behavior or health status indicated that he or she is likely to provide unsafe nursing care as outlined in the course expectations, the Statutes and Rules of Nursing, and the ANA Code of Ethics, the faculty has the legal responsibility to deny the student nurse access to clinical learning experience. Professional liability insurance coverage is required for students engaged in clinical experiences and is included in registration fees.
Carroll College Student Nurses' Association (CCSNA)
The Carroll College Student Nurses’ Association is the college chapter for the state and national Student Nurses’ Association. CCSNA brings students together to help further the growth of nursing, providing opportunities for education, experience, service and fellowship.
Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI, Sigma)
Sigma is the Honor Society of Nursing, whose vision is to “support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses making a difference in global health” (https://www.sigmanursing.org/). Nursing programs at Carroll College and the Montana State University College of Nursing form the Sigma chapter for Montana, called Zeta Upsilon At-Large Chapter. Membership is by invitation to nursing students in the fall of their senior year who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. An annual induction ceremony is held at both Carroll College and MSU-Bozeman.