2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Department website: http://www.uwgb.edu/nursing/

RN-BSN*

Overview of the RN-BSN Track

UW–Green Bay has a longstanding tradition of educating registered nurses through the collaborative UW BSN@Home program. The RN–BSN track is designed for associate degree–prepared (ADN) registered nurses who want to advance their education and expand their professional opportunities.

This fully online program builds on prior nursing knowledge while broadening students’ understanding of contemporary nursing practice and diverse perspectives. Courses are offered in fall, spring, and summer terms, with both 7‑ and 14‑week options so working nurses can progress at a pace that fits their schedule.

A required community health practicum—completed in the student’s home community—provides hands‑on experience in community and public health nursing.

The curriculum is designed to help students:

Students receive substantial credit for prior learning, transferring up to 90 credits toward the BSN, including at least 60 credits through articulation agreements. Additional coursework from other accredited institutions may also transfer. Degree requirements include core/general education courses, nursing support courses, and upper‑level RN–BSN nursing courses (30 credits). All RN-BSN courses are available online in 7‑ and 14‑week formats, including summer. 

BSN End-of-Program Outcomes (based on the 2021 AACN Essentials)

1. Integrate liberal arts and interdisciplinary knowledge to develop clinical judgment and inform evidence-based nursing care across the lifespan, while systematically evaluating, translating, and applying evidence to transform healthcare through the synthesis of nursing knowledge. (Domains I, IV)
2. Demonstrate individualized, holistic, and evidence-based nursing care that integrates the values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, and social justice within the context of individuals and their support system. (Domain II)
3. Engage collaboratively with community-based stakeholders to promote data-driven, evidence-based care strategies that foster nursing innovation, equitable health outcomes, and high-quality care to diverse populations. (Domain III)
4. Exhibit quality improvement, safety, and sustainability principles to enhance care quality, minimize risks, and provide equitable care to diverse populations across healthcare environments. (Domains V, VII)
5. Exemplify professionalism by fostering interprofessional collaboration, building partnerships, and communicating effectively within healthcare teams to optimize care and enhance nursing’s role. (Domains VI, IX)
6. Utilize informatics and healthcare technologies within nursing practice to support informed decision-making, and facilitate evidence-based strategies to promote the delivery of high-quality, equitable care. (Domains VIII)
7. Engage in activities and self-reflection that foster resilience and well-being, contribute to lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of nursing expertise and the assertion of leadership. (Domain X)

Admission Requirements:

• Earned Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma in nursing; ADN students enrolled in their last 2 semesters may take RN-BSN courses.  Talk to an advisor for additional information.  

• Grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) on post-secondary coursework

• Current, unencumbered RN license from any state

Nurse 1-2-1

The NURSE 1-2-1 program is designed for high school seniors (apply fall semester senior year) who are interested in entering the nursing workforce more quickly. Students admitted to the NURSE 1-2-1 program complete courses at UW-Green Bay in years 1 & 4 and earn their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in years 2 & 3.  Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam after completion of the ADN from NWTC. Students continue their BSN education at UW-Green Bay taking advanced nursing coursework online including application of research and evidence-based practice.

Nursing FORWARD- 

The Nursing FORWARD track is a collaborative initiative between Lakeshore College and UW‑Green Bay. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and seamless educational experience, starting with an associate degree (ADN) at Lakeshore College and culminating in a bachelor’s degree at UW‑Green Bay. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam after completion of the ADN from Lakeshore College. Students continue their BSN education at UW-Green Bay taking advanced nursing coursework online including application of research and evidence-based practice. 

BSN- MSN Accelerated Leadership Option 

UW-Green Bay offers an accelerated path to the MSN Leadership and Management degree for qualified RN-BSN students (see below for eligibility criteria).  Pay undergraduate tuition rates while you earn up to nine graduate credits. This option allows qualified undergraduate students to enroll in three specific MSN courses (NUR 737 Leadership in Complex Systems; NUR 734 Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practices; NUR 760 Informatics for Nursing Leaders). 

 These courses: 

• satisfy both the undergraduate (RN-BSN) and graduate course requirements (after admission to the MSN program), 
• provide more advanced content than the equivalent undergraduate course. Refresher content is available for reference, 

BSN-MSN Accelerated Leadership Option Eligibility Criteria

• Experience in a leadership role
• Completion of at least six RN-BSN upper level credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher

For more information about the BSN-MSN Accelerated Leadership Option click here https://www.uwgb.edu/rn-bsn/ ; For more information about the MSN program, click here  https://www.uwgb.edu/msn/. 

*

includes an accelerated option - Integrated with graduate MSN Leadership program

¹

May be satisfied with an ACT English score of 32 or higher, or a SAT Reading score of 39 or higher, or an equivalent writing competency in another major.

²

Critical thinking elective can be satisfied by certain humanities courses such as philosophy, or taken as a separate course.

³

Progression/Graduation Policy: Students in the nursing major must receive a grade of C or better in all upper-level nursing courses. For clarification, receiving a grade of CD or C-minus necessitates retaking the course and receiving a grade of C or better.

#

Students must be granted permission to enroll in Graduate level coursework.  For more information, please contact the Nursing department or refer to the Graduate catalog

Prelicensure BSN 

Overview of the Prelicensure BSN Program

The prelicensure BSN program prepares nurse generalists to work in hospitals, long-term care, and community settings. The professional (BSN) portion of the curriculum includes 65 credits and is designed to be completed in five semesters of full time study. A concept-based approach is used to foster development of clinical reasoning by assisting students to sort, analyze, and find connections in health information.

The concepts are categorized around three main categories: Healthcare Recipient Concepts (e.g., Functional Ability, Family Dynamics, Culture), Health and Illness Concepts (e.g., Homeostasis, Protection, Mood), and Professional Nursing Concepts (e.g., Nursing Roles, Collaboration, Population Health, Healthcare Economics). The concepts are introduced and reinforced throughout the curriculum using exemplars or case examples that a nurse will experience in their practice.  For example, the concept of immunity may be taught as a primary or interrelated concept at several points in the curriculum using exemplars such as rheumatoid arthritis, vaccination of children and adults, allergic reactions, or when understanding the immunocompromised state a patient experiencing cancer treatment often faces.  Students and faculty will engage in active learning strategies designed to emphasize application of material rather than rote memorization. 

Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).

Admission Requirements- Prospective nursing students apply in March the year prior to starting the Prelicensure BSN program.  

To be considered, applicants must have:

• 30 completed college credits including at least 3-4 of the following 5 science courses completed or in progress 
  • BIOLOGY 201 & BIOLOGY 202 or equivalent
  • CHEM 108 & CHEM 109 or equivalent
  • HUM BIOL 221 & HUM BIOL 222 or equivalent
  • BIOLOGY 323 & BIOLOGY 324 or HUM BIOL 323 & HUM BIOL 326 or equivalent
• Minimum 3.0 college GPA with no required science course grade lower than a "C" 
• Preferred criteria:
  • Completion of Nursing Assistant Course (must be completed prior to starting nursing courses)
  • Healthcare experience
  • Community service/Volunteer experience
  • Bilingual

Admission to the prelicensure BSN program is competitive.  Completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.  

For application information including a link to the application click here https://www.uwgb.edu/bsn/degree-path/admission-requirements/

Admitted students must complete a Criminal and Caregiver Background Check and results must comply with standards required for clinical placement. 

BSN End-of-Program Outcomes (based on the 2021 AACN Essentials)

1. Integrate liberal arts and interdisciplinary knowledge to develop clinical judgment and inform evidence-based nursing care across the lifespan, while systematically evaluating, translating, and applying evidence to transform healthcare through the synthesis of nursing knowledge. (Domains I, IV)
2. Demonstrate individualized, holistic, and evidence-based nursing care that integrates the values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, and social justice within the context of individuals and their support system. (Domain II)
3. Engage collaboratively with community-based stakeholders to promote data-driven, evidence-based care strategies that foster nursing innovation, equitable health outcomes, and high-quality care to diverse populations. (Domain III)
4. Exhibit quality improvement, safety, and sustainability principles to enhance care quality, minimize risks, and provide equitable care to diverse populations across healthcare environments. (Domains V, VII)
5. Exemplify professionalism by fostering interprofessional collaboration, building partnerships, and communicating effectively within healthcare teams to optimize care and enhance nursing’s role. (Domains VI, IX)
6. Utilize informatics and healthcare technologies within nursing practice to support informed decision-making, and facilitate evidence-based strategies to promote the delivery of high-quality, equitable care. (Domains VIII)
7. Engage in activities and self-reflection that foster resilience and well-being, contribute to lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of nursing expertise and the assertion of leadership. (Domain X)

¹

May be satisfied with an ACT English score of 32 or higher, or a SAT Reading score of 39 or higher, or an equivalent writing competency in another major.

²

Progression/Graduation Policy: Students in the nursing major must receive a grade of C or better in all upper-level nursing courses. For clarification, receiving a grade of CD or C-minus necessitates retaking the course and receiving a grade of C or better.

Curriculum Guides  

The following are curriculum guides for a four-year Nursing degree program and are subject to change without notice. Students should consult a Nursing program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.

• RN-BSN
• NURSE 1-2-1
• Prelicensure BSN