From rural Montana to the ER: Direct entry nursing program helps Montana Tech student pursue nursing dreams

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of saving a life. “When you work in the emergency room, often you’re actively saving someone’s life,” Montana Technological University nursing junior Maren Ness said. “One minute you’re sitting doing paperwork, and the next someone’s coding and you’re jumping in… It’s just crazy, and I love it.” For Ness, moments like those have reinforced a career choice she made years ago. Ness is from the tiny Hi-Line community of Rudyard, and nursing runs in her family. Ness began working as an aide at age 15 and earned her certified nursing assistant license at 16.…