125 years of nursing

Serving the people of Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas for more than 125 years, St. Vincent Regional Hospital is located in Billings, Montana. St. Vincent offers dozens of progressive specialty services and a 286-bed hospital including a special “hospital within a hospital” just for children, St. Vincent Children’s. St. Vincent has more than 1,700 caregivers and over 500 physicians and advanced care professionals. From its modest beginnings, St. Vincent Regional Hospital has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in a four-state area. Renowned for a mission of compassionate care and service to the poor and vulnerable, St. Vincent is continually recognized as a technological leader in the healthcare industry.

Nurses have been an integral part of patient care at St. Vincent since the hospitals opening in 1891. From 1913 to 1974, the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing prepared nurses for practice in the ever-changing healthcare environment, often working at St. Vincents after graduation. The faces of these nurses still line the hallways of St. Vincent watching over the new generations of nurses now caring for the Billings community.

In 1999, inspired by the history of nursing, St. Vincent nurses collected stories of experiences from past and present colleagues and created a book titled “A Call to Care”.  In the stories, the nurses describe the history of the organization, the changes in the Billings community, and their individual experiences as practicing nurses in the busy Montana hospital.

Nurses at St. Vincent Regional Hospital are still called to care for those in the Billings community and surrounding areas, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. The recognition of nursing excellence with a Magnet designation speaks to St. Vincent nurse's commitment to exceptional patient care and nursing practice.

Our practice model

St. Vincent Regional Hospital uses Intermountain Health’s Nursing Professional Practice Model (NPPM), in alignment with Intermountain’s mission, vision, values, and fundamentals of extraordinary care to guide nursing practice. The NPPM is a framework that describes the unique contribution nurses make to our patients, families, and communities and the expectations we have of each other as professionals.  Our NPPM defines our professional nursing practice and reflects the mission, vision, and values of Intermountain Health. The model guides and unifies the practice of all nurses in every care setting throughout the organization. The elements of the model define and highlight the significance of our daily professional work.

Magnet Designated Facility

This prestigious nursing-specific designation is awarded to those hospitals that provide safe and healthy nursing care to their patients and employ supported and happy nurses. This commitment to our staff and patients will continue as we work each day to keep this coveted recognition. 

"Receiving ANCC Magnet designation is a testament to a hospital's unwavering commitment to nursing excellence and patient care. It signifies that our institution not only meets rigorous standards for professionalism, superior patient care, leadership, and teamwork but also fosters an environment where nurses are empowered to drive healthcare innovation and lead the way in providing the highest quality care. This prestigious designation is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the nursing team, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care in a supportive and healthy environment."

- Janet Harris, DNP, MBA, RN, CENP
VP, Chief Nursing Officer   |   St. Vincent Regional Hospital