Is This Program for You?

Nurses must work well under pressure, and they typically enjoy math, science, communications, and problem solving. If you are independent, compassionate, and are committed to helping people, you may find nursing to be very rewarding.

Students entering the Nursing program should:

• Follow instructions carefully.
• Work to prescribed standards.
• Utilize good judgment in following procedures and handling problems.
• Show interest in work of a technical or scientific nature.
• Perform under pressure in emergency situations.

Program Basics

• Face-to-Face and Online courses
• Financial aid available to those that qualify
• Students must achieve a grade of a C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program. (Courses must include CPR, and a hands-on exam must be taken.)
• Students who complete this program can pursue transfer to bachelor degree programs.

LPN to RN Bridge

• Available to Wisconsin residents and those living in adjacent counties in Iowa and Illinois and Minnesota
• The LPN entering into Associate Degree Nursing will have all first year coursework completed. Nursing Pharmacology must be completed within last 5 years or has to be repeated.
• The LPN seeking progression track admission must submit a copy of current LPN licensure
• The LPN must successfully complete the LPN to RN Bridge Course (normally in June) to enter second year coursework
• Admissions process (same as for ADN but do not take HESI test for acceptance)

Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
• Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech (email admissions@swtc.edu, or mail to Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809)
• HESI Exam: schedule and pay for HESI by calling 608.822.2313 or by going to www.swtc.edu/community/testing-center/hesi​
• Nursing Assistant: submit transcript showing successful completion of the Nursing Assistant course
• Chemistry Coursework: submit transcripts showing two semesters of High School Chemistry with a 'C' or higher * OR * one semester of College Chemistry with a 'C' or higher
• Schedule an Admissions Meeting - If you need assistance, call Student Services at 608.822.2354
• Admissions Preference Policy

  Priority for program acceptance will be given in this order until May 1, 2024:

  1. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College District Residents (permanent address is in one of Southwest Tech’s 30 school districts the College serves) Southwest Tech District Information
  2. Non-District State Residents
  3. Out-of-State Residents

Program Requirements

• Prior to July 1^st of your Fall semester each student will need to complete and submit the Health Requirements listed below, to be able to participate in their clinical rotation experience.
  • Physical Form
  • Background Information Disclosure - complete in MySWTC listed in "My Documents"
  • TB skin testing
  • Fact Sheet
  • Current BLS for Healthcare providers CPR certification

Helpful Academic Background

• Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics
• Computers
• Customer and Personal Service

Program Fees

• This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
• Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
• Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Integrate professional nursing identity reflecting integrity, responsibility, and nursing
• Communicate comprehensive information using multiple sources in nursing practice
• Integrate theoretical knowledge to support decision making
• Integrate the nursing process into patient care across diverse populations
• Function as a healthcare team member to provide safe and effective care

Program Learning Outcomes – By Year of Graduating Cohort

Percentage of Graduates Passing NCLEX-RN on First Attempt

*Source – National Council State Boards of Nursing

Program Completion Rates at 100%

Completion at 100% Time Rate by Year of Entry

Program Completion Rates – Aggregated ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates – Full-Time Option ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates – Part-Time Option ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Part-Time ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates – Pre-Core Full Time ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates – Pre-Core Part-Time ELA 35%

Program Completion Rates at 150%

Completion at 150% Time Rate by Year of Entry

Program Completion Rates – Aggregated ELA 50%

Program Completion Rates – Full-Time Option ELA 50%

Program Completion Rates – Part-Time Option ELA 50%

Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Full-Time ELA 50%

Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Part-Time ELA 50%

Employment Outcomes – By Year of Graduating Cohort

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Southwest Tech’s Associate Degree Nursing (A.D.N.) program is designed to prepare students to sit for the National Council State Boards of Nursing Examination (NCLEX-RN) in Wisconsin. If you plan to pursue licensure in a state other than Wisconsin, please review state educational requirements for that state.

Licensure Information

The Nursing – Associate Degree program is designed to lead to a license for Registered Nurse in Wisconsin. More licensure information can be found on the Program Accreditations and Licensure page.

Opportunities include working in:

• Hospitals
• Physicians' clinics
• Nursing homes
• Extended care facilities
• Home health care
• Hospice
• Wellness centers

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Articulation with UW Collaborative Nursing Degree Program and other private BSN completion programs are available.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Nursing - Associate Degree Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

Course #	Course Title	Challenge Exam (Demonstration)	Challenge Exam (Standard)	CLEP	Credential	Portfolio
10-543-101	Nursing Fundamentals
	LPN License*
10-543-102	Nursing Skills
	LPN License*
10-543-104	Nursing Intro Clinical Practice
	LPN License*
10-543-105	Nursing Health Alterations
	LPN License*
10-543-106	Nursing Health Promotion
	LPN License*
10-543-107	Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan
	LPN License*
10-543-108	Intro to Clinical Care Management
	LPN License*
10-801-136	English Composition 1
	CLEP Test - College Composition
10-801-196	Oral/Interpersonal Communication
10-809-188	Developmental Psychology
	CLEP Test - Human Growth and Development
10-809-196	Introduction to Sociology
10-809-198	Introduction to Psychology
	CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology

Accreditation Status

The Associate Degree nursing program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at www.acenursing.org/search-programs​