Click Here for Associate Degree Nursing Program Requirement Checklist
The Nicolet College Associate Degree Program admits thirty-four (34) students annually. Currently, the Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) has a one-year wait list for newly admitted students. The Nicolet College Nursing program is a 70-credit Associate degree. Although it's considered a two-year program, it takes longer than two years to complete because of an eligibility (wait) list. Many students who are on the eligibility list are able to complete all of the ADN general education classes, as well as to start work on a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).
Nicolet College has an articulation agreement with UW Green Bay, UW Eau Claire, and UW Oshkosh and this agreement states that all 70 credits of Nicolet's ADN program can be transferred and applied to a bachelor's degree in Nursing. This agreement allows students to take additional general education credits at Nicolet that will count towards the BSN. Upon graduation from our ADN program, students can then take the upper level nursing courses needed for their BSN. It should be noted that these classes are all offered on-line, thereby allowing students to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from a UW college without ever having to physically attend there.
1) Complete application form.
2) Submit $30.00 non refundable application fee.
3) Official copy of high school transcript or high school equivalency (HSED) - sent by the high school directly to Nicolet College.
4) If applicable, official copy of previous college transcripts - sent by the college(s) directly to Nicolet College.
5) Complete the Accuplacer entrance exam.
Click here for Accuplacer information, resources, and websites to help you brush up before taking the Accuplacer entrance exam.
The following scores are required for entry to the Nursing program:
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Scores: |
ACT Scores: |
*Any student not meeting the above scores will be required to remediate through basic education and/or prep courses. This will be determined by the program advisor.
Accuplacer Testing is offered Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 1:30 p.m. The cost of the Accuplacer exam is $10. If you have more questions regarding the Accuplacer exam, please call the Testing Center at 715-365-4448.
6) Once steps 1-5 are completed, you may make an appointment to meet your program advisor by calling 715-365-4493.
7) Completion of two semesters of high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or better or one semester of post-secondary chemistry with a grade of "C" or better. (Survey of Chemistry - 3 credits, OR Introductory Chemistry - 5 credits meets this requirement).
8) Completion of or verification of nursing assistant status. Nicolet's Nursing Assistant course is not covered by financial aid, and tuition payment is required at the time of registration. Enrollment in this course also requires an acceptable criminal background check ($10) at the time of registration.
9) Satisfactory Scores on NLN pre RN examination - Composite score of 100 or better
(Students with an earned Bachelor's degee or higher are not required to take the PNLN exam)
Note: Students will not reach step #10 unless they have earned a satisfactory score on the NLN per RN examination.
10) Completion of Eligible Student Introductory meeting form which is done with Associate Degree Nursing Program director. Once this step is completed, your name will be placed on the eligibility list and you will progress from a Pre-Nursing Student to a Waiting Nursing Student. At this point, you will transition to the Waiting/Core ADN academic advisor – Connie Gensler.
**This introductory meeting form will only be given to students once all admission requirements are met.
***Students accepted into this program will be expected to travel to various clinical sites within, and out of district. Clinical will be days, evenings, and weekends, with no guarantee as to location of clinical or clinical times.
What does a registered nurse do?
Nurses assist individuals in adapting to actual and potential health problems through the use of the nursing process. The goal is to promote, maintain and restore health. As a nurse you will work closely with other members of the health care team. Nurses assume responsibility and accountability when providing patient care.
Do you have what it takes to be a registered nurse?
Nursing requires a compassionate and caring demeanor. Nurses should respect and value cultural differences; have the ability to establish
rapport with individuals, families and groups; and deal effectively with interpersonal conflicts. Nurses need to have effective oral and written communication and the ability to problem solve and think critically.
Nurses have direct contact with patients and other health care members, and are expected to maintain a healthy lifestyle including freedom from chemical dependency and communicable disease. Nurses are expected to be in good physical condition, with the ability to lift, push or pull a minimum of fifty pounds. This profession may require long periods of standing.
What is the nursing program like at Nicolet?
The nursing program admits 34 students each fall. The nursing program core courses require that students take approximately 9 credits per semester. Because of the large number of students eligible for the program, students may want to take their general education and science courses prior to entering the core nursing courses.
Classroom and lab for the nursing program are either at the Nicolet campus or at Peterson Health Care Center. Clinical locations vary and students are to be prepared to travel outside the Rhinelander area for clinical. Clinical may be days, evenings, weekends or summers.
What about after graduation?
This program is accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission(NLNAC) and is approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing. After successful completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program requirements, students are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
If you are interested in a baccalaureate degree upon completion of the program, check with the academic advisor in regards to articulation agreements with four-year universities.
Are there jobs available?
This occupation ranks 8th out of 30 occupations, with greatest expected employment in the state through 2008. Registered nurses may find employment in Acute Care agencies, long-term care facilities, clinics, home health agencies, hospice, correctional facilities, and several other areas of healthcare. Average salary is approximately $40,000 annually.