Nursing, BSN

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at UW–Madison prepares students for careers as Registered Nurses. The program includes a two-year nursing component with lectures, laboratory, and clinical courses, emphasizing clinical decision-making and the application of theoretical knowledge. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX exam to obtain their nursing license and pursue careers in various healthcare settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program prepares individuals for careers in professional nursing in hospitals and other health care agencies. This traditional BSN program provides a foundation for progressing to positions of increased responsibility, leadership, and continued education in graduate programs. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the UW–Madison School of Nursing.
• Objectives:
The curriculum includes courses in nursing as well as in liberal arts and sciences. Most students enter UW–Madison as pre-nursing students and spend their first two years completing nursing prerequisite and general education courses. Students then apply midway through their sophomore year to enter the nursing program as juniors. From there, the two-year nursing component includes lectures, laboratory, and clinical courses. Nursing courses emphasize clinical decision-making and the application of theoretical knowledge. Clinical experiences can be up to 90 miles from Madison and may include ambulatory sites, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, geriatric facilities, school districts, nursing homes, policy centers, etc. This range of sites and opportunities gives students comprehensive exposure to a broad range of patients, illness, and care in both clinical patient and community health settings. Elective courses in general education and in nursing permit students to pursue individual interests.

Outline:

• Program Content:
The curriculum includes courses in nursing as well as in liberal arts and sciences.
• Program Structure:
Most students enter UW–Madison as pre-nursing students and spend their first two years completing nursing prerequisite and general education courses. Students then apply midway through their sophomore year to enter the nursing program as juniors. From there, the two-year nursing component includes lectures, laboratory, and clinical courses.
• Course Schedule:
Nursing courses emphasize clinical decision-making and the application of theoretical knowledge. Clinical experiences can be up to 90 miles from Madison and may include ambulatory sites, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, geriatric facilities, school districts, nursing homes, policy centers, etc.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses in various settings, including hospitals, community health agencies, industrial health centers, nursing homes, family planning centers, and crisis care centers.
• Career Opportunities:
A nursing license gives an individual permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where he or she met the requirements.
• Career Outcomes:
The School of Nursing works with students as they complete graduation requirements and the two-step process to register for the NCLEX. Most students take the NCLEX within three months of graduation. More than 90 percent of School of Nursing graduates pass the NCLEX on first attempt.