The UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing offers the flexibility of two modes of learning for students to complete the RN to BSN program. These include BSN@home through the UW System Collaborative and UW Flexible Option (focus on competency-based education). Students may choose to pursue their RN-to-BSN at a full or part time basis, at the pace that works best for them. Students enjoy the ability to move in and out of what mode best fits their learning style and life needs. We offer online, in-person and competency-based assessment. Prelicensure Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students can request permission to take courses to satisfy requirements for BSN completion.
Nurses who graduated from Wisconsin Technical Colleges after Dec. 31, 1989, can transfer credits from these programs through formal VTAE articulation agreements.
UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing is accredited through the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the State of Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
Admission
Admission requirements for all RN-BSN completion programs include a past Associate's Degree, Diploma, or concurrent enrollment in the ADN program (in 3rd or 4th semester) in nursing and a past cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher as well as a registered nursing license. Registered Nurses follow admission procedures for transfer students, with deadlines well in advance of the beginning of each semester. The UW Flexible Option has unique admission requirements and admits students every month. For additional information about the UW Flexible Option, students can call 1-877-895-3276. To ensure success in enrollment and advising, individuals interested in BSN completion, online or face-to-face, should consult with an advisor in the Student Affairs Office, (414) 229-5047. The advisor will provide information on all degree completion options and route the student through the appropriate admission procedures. The advisor will also work with the student to complete an individual plan of study.
RN to BS Curriculum
The Baccalaureate Degree Program for Registered Nurses is a minimum of 120-credit program including UWM General Education Requirements and nursing curriculum requirements. The curriculum requirements are the same for all modes of learning – online, face-to-face, and the UW Flexible Option.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Nursing (at least 60 credits) | 60 | |
| Nursing | 30 | |
| Previous Nursing Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Nursing (60-66 credits) | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research 1 | 3 |
| Humanities | 3-6 | |
| The Arts | 0-3 | |
| Social Science 1 | ||
| Sociology | 3 | |
| Psychology | 3 | |
| Growth and Development | 3 | |
| Natural/Biological Sciences 1 | ||
| Chemistry | 4 | |
| Biochemistry (or alternative) | 4 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 8 | |
| Microbiology | 3 | |
| Nutrition | 2 | |
| Electives | 18-24 | |
| Competencies 2 | ||
| Math 1 | ||
| English | ||
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Foreign language (may or may not apply) | ||
| Nursing (30 credits) | ||
| Advanced Nursing Courses | ||
| UWS NSG 407 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| UWS NSG 441 | Chronic Care Management | 3 |
| UWS NSG 446 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| UWS NSG 447 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| UWS NSG 453 | Information Management and Healthcare Technology | 3 |
| UWS NSG 454 | Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 445 | Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| Nursing Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Health Assessment | ||
| Current Topics of Nursing: | ||
| Clinical Pharmacology | ||
| Genetics and Genomics for Health Professionals | ||
| Genetics and Genomics for Health Professionals | ||
| Mental Health Across the Care Continuum | ||
| Previous Nursing (30 credits) | ||
| 30 Nursing credits are awarded for previous nursing experience upon admission | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
For continued progression through the nursing major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 (C) in the required courses noted.
- 2
Demonstration of mathematics and English proficiency by Registered Nurse students is a requirement for enrollment in Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses (NURS 445). Refer to the UWM Timetable for definition of competencies.
- 3
Registered Nurse students are permitted to enroll in courses out of the usual sequence in the undergraduate curriculum with the exception of Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses (NURS 445). This is the final course and all other required courses are prerequisite to this course.
Nursing BS Learning Outcomes
The graduate of the UWM College of Nursing is prepared to practice as a beginning generalist in a variety of settings utilizing the competencies listed below. In addition, the graduate will possess knowledge and skills that qualify them to pursue life-long learning and advanced study. The UWM College of Nursing undergraduate and graduate programs are directed toward enhancing the health of those who live and work in urban communities.
Students graduating from the BS in Nursing or RN-to-BSN program will be able to:
- Provide holistic nursing care that recognizes patients' preferences, values, and needs and respects them as full partners in providing compassionate, coordinated, age- and culturally appropriate, safe, and effective care.
- Exhibit accountability for delivering standard-based nursing care that is consistent with moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principles.
- Influence the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals within the environment to facilitate the establishment and acquisition/achievement of shared goals.
- Express awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context of the healthcare system and utilize microsystem resources to provide care of optimal quality and value.
- Interpret and employ information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
- Interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, fostering mutual respect and shared decision-making, to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
- Function within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision-making, team learning, and development.
- Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
- Develop and utilize data to monitor the outcomes of healthcare processes.
- Use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare systems.
- Identify, apply, and evaluate the best current evidence and clinical expertise while considering patients’ preferences, experiences, and values to make practice decisions.
College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.