Each day in Montana thousands of people contribute to their community. Oftentimes, we forget who these citizens are as we go about our own days. Every person who wakes up, travels through, or lays their head underneath our big sky gives Montana character. Here, in this space, we attempt to give voice to those humans.
Necessary Narratives
Tell your story.
Community Narratives
Nurses
Through the struggles of many caring individuals we have access to high quality patient care today. The first trained nurse arrived in Montana in 1874. However, it was not until 1913 and upon passage of the Nurse Practice Act when nurses had to be registered with the state. Moreover, students receiving their bachelors of science in nursing were not required to take examinations until 1919 to be licensed. This was accomplished by a group of nurses who came together and formed what is known today as the Montana Nurses Association.
The life of RNs can be a mystery. The average person only interacts with a nurse when they need health care. The following stories start to raise the mist and uncover what it takes to be a RN in Montana. From schooling to retirement, we hear from RNs who provide education to caregivers, RNs on the frontline of healthcare, and those who exceeded the minimum requirements.
This project is meant to be a starting point, and does not wholly represent the profession of nurses. However, those stories found here are real RNs, and one APRN, who have made the concerted effort to improve patient care in Montana.
