Admission to the RN to BS Completion program
- Complete the WSU admissions process before applying to the nursing major. After receiving the Official Evaluation of Credit from the Office of Admissions, arrange an appointment with a nursing advisor on the Rochester campus.
- Apply for admission to the nursing major. Applicants to the RN to BS Completion 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 options for completing the nursing courses.
- Additional degree requirements beyond nursing courses will need to be completed for graduation. It is highly recommended that all other credit requirements be completed prior to starting the RN to BS Completion Program.
- All RN to BS Completion students must hold a current RN license issued by a state or territory of the United States. A photocopy of the license must be submitted to the Nursing Department.
- The admission GPA is calculated on the most recent five years of college coursework or the last 50 semester hours of credits of college work. A 2.75 GPA is required for admission into the RN to BS Completion Program.
- Twenty-four (24) credits in the RN to BS Completion Program of the nursing major (N302, N304, N306 and N308) will be granted by transfer to RNs 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. If all examinations are successfully completed, the 24 credits are granted.
- RN graduates from a non-accredited nursing program will be required to complete an assessment of learning validating prior learning.
- Associate nursing degrees received before 1985 will be reviewed on an individual basis.
RN-to-MS Professional Pathway
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 Master's Degree in Nursing. Acceptance in a focus area is not guaranteed. 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:
- 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.
- The candidate must have been awarded the Associate in Science (AS) Degree in Nursing with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum grade of "C" in each nursing course.
- 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).
- The Associate in Science (AS) Degree transfers to the baccalaureate institution as a whole package of nursing major and supporting courses.
- Articulation RNs should not be required to complete more total credits for the degree than the generic nursing baccalaureate students.
B.S. MAJOR - NURSING: RN to BS Completion program-- 52 S.H. (Required courses must be taken for a letter grade.) Note: Includes 24 S.H. of nursing in transfer or exam.
375 Evidence-based Research (3)
415 Holistic Caring (4)
435 Holistic Assessment (3)
445 Evidence-based Leadership and Management (3)
455 Continuity of Care (4)
465 Population Based Care (4)
475 Community Health Nursing (4)
491 Professional Development (3)
375- Evidence-based Research (3 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Basic elements of the research process and models for applying evidence to clinical practice are introduced. The application of retrieval, appraisal, synthesis and evidence to improve patient outcomes is emphasized. Cooperative group work is integrated throughout the course. This course is a flagged course for University Studies and is designed to meet the requirements in critical analysis.
415-Holistic Caring (4 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
This course serves to assist in the transition of the RN to BS Completion student as they build on their prior basic nursing education and identify with the baccalaureate nursing major. The student is introduced to the Winona State University Department of Nursing curriculum/organizing framework which serves as the base upon which to build their future career in nursing. Evidence-based teaching-learning theory and skills will provide the basis for teaching health promotion to a young learner population. Analysis of a political issue related to health care delivery will foster an appreciation of the political process within the baccalaureate role as a nurse. Holistic caring is related to critical thinking, teaching-learning, role development, and nursing practice. Application of critical thinking skills to holistic caring will promote insight into a new vision of professionalism and professional values within this baccalaureate degree for the RN to BS Completion student.
435-Holistic Assessment (3 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Focus is building on theoretical concepts, critical thinking, decision-making and application of clinical skills. Students will be responsible for self-management of completing learning activities. Emphasis will be on the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a holistic assessment of individuals across the lifespan. An online learning library is used to understand and apply assessment content.
445 Evidence-based Leadership and Management (3 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
This course fosters heightened awareness of management and leadership theory within the essence of baccalaureate professional role development and the practice of nursing. Change theory applied to a nursing situation assists in the future application of this complex concept. An appreciation of complex organizational structure will promote successful employment of management and leadership skills with emphasis on evaluation and quality control. Use of small group process facilitates planning a professional nursing conference and developing a nursing marketing project.
455 - Continuity of Care (4 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
This course explores complex continuity of care issues involving the individual, family, and/or community. The content will assist the student to perceive the significance of professional evidence-based nursing interventions related to specific situations and/or populations. Some of the diverse situations include: self care, stress management, experience of loss, novice to expert. Some of the diverse populations include: elderly, dementia, end of life issues, mental illness, and cultural diversity. Evidenced-based teaching-learning theory and skills are applied to the adult learner population.
465 – Population Based Care (4 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
This course focuses on evidence-based health promotion interventions to populations. Students are expected to provide competent care by using high ethical standards and critical thinking. Students will elaborate on prior teaching/learning principles in developing a sophisticated health promotion teaching tool. Students will become a student of the community, to learn from families and other aggregates in the community how they define and promote their own health. Students will appraise and critique their professional portfolio.
475 - Community Health Nursing (4 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Focuses on assessment and evidence-based practices to assess protective and predictive factors that influence the health of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Health promotion and specific disease preventions, early diagnosis and treatment, and managing the disease or problem to maximize health are discussed. Public health concepts are introduced along with population-focused interventions.
491 – Professional Development (3 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
This course synthesizes all previous courses and past learning experiences through intense site- based experience designed to encapsulate the essence of baccalaureate professional role development. From the past, the present is formed. With this course the student forms a new vision of the future. It includes application of theory and role development as a professional nurse. This course should lead the student to the completion of the Winona State University Department of Nursing Baccalaureate Program Outcomes.
302 - CNAT: Care of the Adult Client (6 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Demonstration of knowledge through an exam focusing on the nursing care of clients in a variety of settings and at various stages of the wellness-illness continuum. Items also assess nursing skills in meeting physiologic and psychosocial needs of clients with stable conditions. The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment Test (CNAT) is required for RNs who are graduates of diploma programs and A.D.N. programs that are not accredited by NLNAC. P/NC only.
304 - CNAT: Care of Client During Childbearing (6 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Demonstration of knowledge through an exam focusing on nursing care during the antepartal, intrapartal, and neonatal periods. Emphasis is on the normal, with some common complications. The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment Test (CNAT) is required for RNs who are graduates of diploma programs and A.D.N. programs that are not accredited by NLNAC. P/NC only.
306 - CNAT: Care of the Child (6 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Demonstration of knowledge through an exam concerned with nursing care of children of all ages at various stages of health and illness. The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment Test (CNAT) is required for RNs who are graduates of diploma programs and A.D.N. programs that are not accredited by NLNAC. P/NC only.
308 - CNAT: Care of the Client with a Mental Disorder (6 S.H.) (RN to BS Completion Program)
Demonstration of knowledge through an exam addressing the broad spectrum of psychological wellness-illness. The content includes psychosocial assessment and intervention strategies to support the client’s strengths. The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment Test (CNAT) is required for RNs who are graduates of diploma programs and A.D.N. programs that are not accredited by NLNAC. P/NC only.
