The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully as registered nurses (RN) and function with judgment and technical competence when providing care for patients. The program offers classroom discussion, independent learning projects, labs, and hands-on clinical experiences in area healthcare agencies. Our well-rounded curriculum features state-of-the-art technology, including adult, pediatric, and obstetric simulators. Students are eligible to take the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) for Registered Nurses after completion of all 70 credits in the program.
  • Overview

  • 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:

    • Have good reading and comprehension skills.
    • Be in good physical and emotional health.
    • Be flexible, adaptable, and enjoy working with people.
    • Be self-confident, independent, and a self-directed learner.
    • Meet Wisconsin Caregiver Law requirements.

    Program Basics

    • Day, evening/weekend and online classes available.
    • Financial aid available to those that qualify.
    • August program start date; however, some classes available in January.
    • May take some courses immediately upon program acceptance.
    • 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.)
    • Sign off as qualified in Functional Abilities for Nursing after acceptance to the program and prior to first clinical.
    • Elective credits must be Associate Degree level courses and cannot be Fundamentals of Chemistry or Nursing Assistant.
  • LPN to RN Bridge

  • 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)
    • Required LPN to RN Bridge course students must take and pass to enter second year of program (How many credits, cost, when typically held, format, etc)
  • Curriculum & Costs
  • Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application and $30 Application Fee
    • Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • HESI Exam: schedule and pay for HESI by calling 608.822.2313 or by going to https://www.swtc.edu/placement-testing
    • 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
    • Admissions Meeting: schedule by calling Student Services at 608.822.2354

    Program Requirements

    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.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

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

    • Implement one's role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practices, and an evolving professional identity as a nurse committed to evidence-based practice, caring, advocacy, and quality care.
    • Demonstrate appropriate written, verbal, and non-verbal communication in a variety of clinical contexts.
    • Integrate social, mathematical, and physical sciences, pharmacology, and pathophysiology in clinical decision making.
    • Provide patient centered care under supervision by participating in the nursing process across diverse populations and health care settings.
    • Minimize risk of harm to patients, members of the health care team, and self through safe individual performance and participation in system effectiveness of processes and protocols.
    • Lead the multidisciplinary health care team to provide effective care throughout the lifespan.
    • Use information technology to communicate, manage data, mitigate error, and support decision making.
    • SWTC Nursing Assistant Pass Rate for the National Nurse Aide Competency Exam in 2019 was 97%.

    Program Learning Outcomes – By Year of Graduating Cohort

    Program Learning Outcome (1-4 Scale) 2018 2019 2020
    Professionalism 3.65 3.8 3.8
    Communication 3.6 3.85 3.85
    Integrating Theory into Practice 3.5 3.48 3.48
    Nursing Process 3.6 3.54 3.54
    Minimize Risk 3.57 3.54 3.54
    Leadership 3.55 3.56 3.56
    Use Technology to Support Decisions 3.7 3.75 3.75

    National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN) 1st time Pass Rates

    Year Percentage Pass Rate
    2019 80.77%
    2018 88.57%
    2017 87.27%

    Completion at 150% Time Rate by Year of Entry

    Program Completion Rates – Aggregated ELA 50%
    Year of Graduating Program in 150% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 150% of Time % of Students Completing in 150% of Time
    2020 66 33 50%
    2019 69 31 44.9%
    2018 66 35 53.03%
    Program Completion Rates – Full-Time Option ELA 50%
    Year of Graduating Program in 150% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 150% of Time % of Students Completing in 150% of Time
    2020 39 16 41%
    2019 23 21 47.7%
    2018 38 18 47.4%
    Program Completion Rates – Part-Time Option ELA 50%
    Year of Graduating Program in 150% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 150% of Time % of Students Completing in 150% of Time
    2020 22 14 63.6%
    2019 23 8 34.8%
    2018 22 13 59.1%
    Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Full-Time ELA 50%
    Year of Graduating Program in 150% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 150% of Time % of Students Completing in 150% of Time
    2020 4 2 50%
    2019 2 2 100%
    2018 5 4 80%
    Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Part-Time ELA 50%
    Year of Graduating Program in 150% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 150% of Time % of Students Completing in 150% of Time
    2020 1 1 100%
    2019 0 0 N/A
    2018 1 0 0%

    Employment Outcomes – By Year of Graduating Cohort

    Year of Graduation 2019 2018
    Number Graduated 39 39
    Number Responded 31 30
    Number Available for Employment (Employed & Seeking) 31 28
    Number Employed in Related Field 29 25
    % Available and employed in Related Field 100% 93%

    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.

  • Career Opportunities

  • Opportunities include working in:

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

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

  • Transfers

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

  • Prior Learning

  • 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
    10-543-101Nursing FundamentalsYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-102Nursing SkillsYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-104Nsg: Intro Clinical PracticeYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-105Nursing Health AlterationsYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-106Nursing Health PromotionYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-107Nsg: Clin Care Across LifespanYes
    LPN License*
    10-543-108Nsg: Intro Clinical Care MgtYes
    LPN License*
    10-801-195Written CommunicationYes
    College Composition CLEP test would also be accepted for credit. However, the challenge exam is the preferred method.
    10-801-196Oral/Interpersonal CommunicationYes
    10-809-188Developmental PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Human Growth and Development
    10-809-196Intro to SociologyYes
    10-809-198Intro to PsychologyYes
    CLEP Test - Introduction to Psychology
  • Accreditation