Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing, along with the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, has received a $43,685 Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. The grant, awarded in August, is intended to support the development of a post-graduate transition-to-practice program for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who aim to strengthen rural health care systems.
Sarah Shannon, dean of MSU’s nursing college, highlighted the importance of rural nurses and clinicians. “Montana’s rural nurses and advanced practice clinicians are the lifelines of their communities — often the first and only point of care when minutes truly matter,” Shannon said. “Through the Blue Impact partnership, we can better understand their unique needs and design a transition-to-practice program that prepares APRNs to deliver confident, high-quality and life-saving care where it’s needed most.”
The funding has enabled faculty at MSU’s nursing college to begin a comprehensive needs assessment with rural health care providers and clinics. This process started in September with a review of existing rural-specific curricula at MSU and nationwide. The information gathered is being used to develop a survey that will be distributed in early 2026. Data collection is expected to conclude by March 2026. Based on these findings, faculty will recommend best practices for a post-graduate transition-to-practice program supporting APRNs—including nurse practitioners and nurse midwives—in delivering specialized care in rural areas.
Key individuals involved in this project include Marg Hammersla, graduate department head and assistant professor of nursing; Stacy Stellflug, associate professor of nursing and principal investigator on the rural nurse practitioner scholars grant; and Kailyn Mock, director of the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center.
Fran Albrecht, CEO and president of the MSU Alumni Foundation, expressed appreciation for the grant. “Thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, this support benefits our nursing students — preparing them to serve rural communities across the state and helping to ensure that Montanans have access to quality health care,” Albrecht said.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana’s Blue Impact grant initiative aims to invest in community organizations addressing social and economic factors that affect health outcomes throughout Montana.
Shannon noted that programs tailored for rural areas are necessary because these regions often face limited resources, lack specialty care services, and have greater distances from emergency facilities compared to urban locations. Many such communities are also based in agricultural settings where traumatic injuries can occur more frequently. Providers must be prepared to deliver emergency lifesaving care while patients await transport to hospitals equipped for higher levels of treatment.
Lisa Kelley, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, commented on the organization’s ongoing commitment: “By supporting MSU’s efforts to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for the unique realities of rural health care, we’re investing in solutions that will make a meaningful difference for Montanans across the state,” Kelley said. “We are proud to partner with MSU in building a stronger, healthier Montana.”
