Undergraduate Nursing at Winona State University

The Winona State University Department of Undergraduate Nursing has been providing high quality nursing education in southeast Minnesota for more than 50 years.

Undergraduate programs include a traditional, pre-licensure 4 year BS in Nursing degree for students who wish to obtain a registered nurse license and an RN-BS Completion program for Associate Degree, or diploma prepared RNs who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science degree.


Program Features

  • High job placement rate—approximately 96%
  • Nursing graduates of the Pre-Licensure and RN-BS Completion programs are eligible to apply for Minnesota Public Health Nursing Certification.

Pre-Licensure Program Features

  • Direct Admission: Guarantees admission for students with exceptional ACT/SAT scores who earn excellent college grades. Download our program brochure (PDF)
  • High NCLEX Pass Rates: First time NCLEX pass rates consistently at or above the national average
  • Clinical Partners: WSU partners with numerous healthcare providers in the region to provide hands-on clinical experiences for students
  • Simulation Space: The WSU simulation space creates a unique learning environment that promotes independent student learning and collaboration between nursing students and their respective faculty mentors
  • Innovative Approaches to Clinical Education: Including development of a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) for clinical education and case coordination to prevent re-hospitalization

RN-BS Completion Program Features

  • Multiple Locations: students can complete clinical hours in the Rochester, Wabasha, La Crescent, or Austin regions.
  • Practice Experiences: students complete public health practice experiences arranged by WSU faculty at multiple community partners, including public health departments, schools and community agencies
  • Flexible for working RNs: The program is designed to be flexible for working RNs, with part-time (2, 3 or 4 year) and full-time (1 year) plans of study available, and online or blended/hybrid format for classes