The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully as registered nurses (RN) and function with critical thinking, clinical 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 65 credits in the program.
- Overview
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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
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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)
- Curriculum & Costs
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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.
Category Amount Tuition and Fees $4,820 Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,148 Books and Supplies $1,466 Personal Expenses $3,608 Transportation $4,018 Charger Tech 360 Fee $600 Loan Fees $84 Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $23,744 1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $11,872 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.
- Requirements
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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
- Admissions Meeting: After applying and submitting transcripts, work with your advisor to begin or continue your student success plan to talk about your career interests and goals, develop a plan for paying for college, learn about various funding options, create an academic map, and discuss supports and services. Schedule an admissions meeting by clicking "Make an appointment" with your program advisor.
Program Requirements
- Prior to July 1st 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.
- Outcomes
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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
Program Learning Outcome (1-4 Scale) 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 Professionalism 3.8 3.83 3.91 Communication 3.85 3.86 3.78 Integrating Theory into Practice 3.48 3.73 3.63 Nursing Process 3.54 3.79 3.64 Minimize Risk 3.54 3.84 3.83 Leadership 3.56 3.73 N/A Use Technology to Support Decisions 3.75 3.92 N/A Percentage of Graduates Passing NCLEX-RN on First Attempt
*Source – National Council State Boards of Nursing
APR-MAR 2022 APR-MAR 2023 APR-MAR 2024 Total Number of Graduates Tested 52 35 52 Number Passing 42 33 52 Percent Passing 80.77% 94.29% 100%
Program Completion Rates at 100%
Completion at 100% Time Rate by Year of Entry
Program Completion Rates – Aggregated ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 67 43 64.17% 2020 68 20 29.4% Program Completion Rates – Full-Time Option ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 47 35 74.4% 2020 50 9 18% Program Completion Rates – Part-Time Option ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 18 7 38.8%% 2020 18 11 61.1% Program Completion Rates – LPN to ADN Bridge Option Part-Time ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 2 1 50% 2020 0 0 N/A Program Completion Rates – Pre-Core Full Time ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 3 2 66.6% 2020 18 2 11.1% Program Completion Rates – Pre-Core Part-Time ELA 35%
Year of Graduating Program in 100% Time Number of Students Accepted Number of Students Completing in 100% of Time % of Students Completing in 100% of Time 2021 2 2 100% 2020 0 0 N/A
Program Completion Rates at 150%
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 2021 2020 Number Graduated 54 33 Number Responded 32 23 Number Available for Employment (Employed & Seeking) 31 23 Number Employed in Related Field 28 23 % Available and employed in Related Field 100% 100% 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.
- Career Opportunities
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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.
- Transfers
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Articulation with UW Collaborative Nursing Degree Program and other private BSN completion programs are available.
- Prior Learning
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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)CLEPCredentialPortfolio10-543-101 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
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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
- DAISY Award
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Learn more about The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses and The DAISY In Training Award!
Click Here -