Nursing at Winona State University

The Winona State University Department of 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: New for students enrolling in Fall 2020 or later - guarantees admission for students with exceptional ACT/SAT scores who earn excellent college grades. (Download our new program brochure (PDF), and check back for more information coming soon.)
  • Preferred Admission Contract: provides priority consideration for admission for students who have qualifying ACT scores and declare nursing upon enrollment
  • 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 choose to attend classes in Rochester, La Crescent or Austin
  • 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