TO APPLY TO THE NURSING PROGRAM FOR FALL 2010, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION.  THE APPLICATION IS DUE FEBRUARY 1ST, 2010 BY 4:30 P.M. 

Admission to the Generic Option

Application to the nursing program is a two-step process:

1. The first step is admission to Winona State University. A WSU application, $20.00 non-refundable fee, and official transcripts from all schools attended must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Connect the Admissions Office for more information regarding application to the University: (507-457-5100) or admissions@winona.edu. Transfer students must allow sufficient time to complete the WSU admission process prior to the nursing program application process. Questions regarding the transfer process can be directed to Carol Ziehlsdorf, Associate Director Admissions/Transfer Specialist at 507-457-5106 or cziehlsdorf@winona.edu.
2. After being admitted to WSU, the second step is application to the nursing major. Application to the upper-division nursing program is in the semester prior to the intended start of nursing coursework, e.g.spring semester for fall nursing courses or fall semester for spring nursing courses. Applications for Spring are available from August - October 1. Applications for Fall are available November - February 1. Admission to the Generic Option with fall semester start of nursing courses includes placement on the Winona (50 students) and Rochester campus (50 students). Admission to the Generic Option with spring semester start is also available on the Winona campus (50 students). Application to the RN to BS Option of the nursing program is during spring semester or summer for the following fall nursing courses in the RN to BS Option on the Rochester campus; the MnSCU Statewide Nursing Articulation agreement applies (see below).
3. At the time of application for the Generic Option, 4 of the 5 prerequisite courses in the natural sciences must be completed. (If you have taken Chem. 212/213 - 4 of the 6 prerequisite courses in the natural sciences must be completed). ALL prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before starting the nursing program. You must also have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above which is calculated on the most recent five years of college coursework. If you do not have recent or current five years of coursework, then the GPA is calculated on the most recent 50 semester hour credits of college coursework. All credits within the last semester (where the 50 credits fall in the semester) must be included in the GPA calculations. All grades for prerequisite courses must be at a "C" or better no matter when they were completed.
   • When applying, you must indicate a plan for completing any remaining prerequisite courses in the natural and social sciences and ENG 111 prior to starting the nursing major in the fall. When applying for the spring semester, all prerequisites will need to be completed by the end of the fall semester. ALL prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
   • In addition to meeting the above requirements, if you are transferring from another nursing program you must submit to the Department of Nursing an official transcript from the program and a letter from the academic head of the program stating that the student is eligible for continuing in or readmission to that program. Placement in the major will then be determined based on background and space available.
   • Campus preference is indicated during the application phase. Campus assignments are made at the time of admission to the major.

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Students who meet the following requirements of the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee are admitted to the nursing major:

1. All entering first year students wishing to participate in the graduation guarantee program must complete the guarantee application form and officially declare a major within the nursing department during their first two weeks of their first semester classes.
2. All beginning students must be qualified to begin college-level (non-remedial) science, mathematics, and English courses that are required by the nursing major. If the student takes Math 050 and/or English 099, this contract is void. All 100 level University courses are acceptable and not considered remedial.
3. All participating students must pre-register for classes each semester and have their class schedules approved by their official nursing advisor.
4. All participating students must meet university or program GPA and/or grade requirements as stipulated in the University catalog and/or schedule of classes AND have a cumulative GPA of 3.300 at the end of the 3rd semester the student is enrolled at WSU. The cumulative GPA is not rounded up.
5. All participating students must successfully complete an average course load of 16 credits each semester (32 credits per academic year). This includes any PSEO credits and summer school credits completed prior to first application to the nursing major.
6. All prerequisite courses are completed with a grade of "C" or better and you can not withdraw ("W") or repeat any of these prerequisite courses.
7. This guarantee is only valid for the Nursing major, Generic option.
8. Failure to meet any of the above conditions (1 - 7) voids the guarantee. Once the graduation guarantee contract is void, the student is not eligible for reinstatement of the contract.

Admission to the RN-to-BS Completion

1. Complete the WSU admissions process before applying to the nursing major. After receiving the Official Evaluation of Credit from the Office of Admissions (DARS), arrange an appointment with a nursing advisor on the Rochester campus.
2. Apply for admission to the nursing major. Applicants to the Nursing Program are admitted once a year for the following academic year.
   • Contact the Rochester campus Nursing Department office in the preceding fall for application materials, deadline dates, and general information. Students need to seek academic advisement prior to applying to the RN to BS Completion program to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled. Select the full-time or part-time option for completing the nursing courses.
   • Additional degree requirements beyond nursing courses will need to be completed for graduation. It is highly recommended that all non-nursing degree requirements and the nursing requirement of 5 upper-division elective credits be completed prior to the RN to BS Completion nursing courses because of scheduling considerations.
   • All RN to BS Completion students must hold an RN license with current registration by a state or territory of the United States. A photocopy of the license must be submitted to the Nursing Department.
   • Twenty-four (24) credits in the RN to BS Completion of the nursing major (N302, N304, N306 and N308) will be granted by transfer to RN's who have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing from an NLNAC-accredited program. The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment Test (CNAT) is used as a challenge for these credits for RNs who are graduates of diploma programs and A.D.N. programs that are not accredited by NLNAC. If the examination is successfully completed, the twenty-four credits are validated for the graduate of the A.D.N. program not accredited by NLNAC. For the graduate of a diploma program, if the examination is successfully completed, the twenty-four credits are processed through WSU registration with payment of appropriate tuition.
   • The RN-to-MS Professional Pathway is designed for highly motivated nurses who graduated with an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing, who have nursing experience, and whose goal is a Masters Degree in Nursing. Selected courses meet requirements for the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students must meet additional admission requirements and should also consult the WSU Graduate Catalog. Separate formal application to the Master's Nursing Program is required. Further information can be obtained from the Nursing Department at WSU-Rochester Center.

MnSCU Statewide Nursing Articulation Agreement

The following terms and conditions of articulation among nursing programs are in effect at WSU:

1. The candidate must have graduated from an Associate Degree program for registered nurses that is approved by a state board of nursing and based in a regionally accredited college or university.
2. The candidate must have been awarded the Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree in Nursing with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum grade of "C" in each nursing course.
3. The candidate must have been graduated from a board-approved program in nursing and have a current unencumbered authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).
4. The Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree transfers to the baccalaureate institution as a whole package of nursing major and supporting courses.
5. Articulation RNs should not be required to complete more total credits for the degree than the generic nursing baccalaureate students.

Winona State University Undergraduate Nursing Program Contact Information

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 14:59