Nursing (RN to BSN)
Philosophy
The nursing program is dedicated to academic excellence by providing a rigorous and supportive learning environment that fosters intellectual and personal growth to enhance nursing knowledge within a liberal education foundation emphasizing holistic and compassionate person-centered care, population health through advocacy and collaboration, evidence-based knowledge, and improving health outcomes regionally and globally with a special emphasis on Indigenous health practices.
Mission
The nursing program at the University of Wisconsin-Superior is dedicated to inspiring Registered Nurse students to reach their fullest academic, personal, and professional potential through a nursing program that builds on a foundation of liberal education, academic excellence, cultural competence, and community-enhanced learning.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program expands on the prior knowledge and experience of registered nurses by engaging students in a contemporary nursing curriculum and well-rounded University Studies program. The BSN program of study advances the health of communities, through new knowledge in research, evidence-based practice, chronic illness management, community health, leadership and management, and information technologies. The nursing program is offered in partnership with the BSN@HOME Statewide collaborative nursing program with six partners universities: UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point. It is based in the UW-Superior Department of Health and Human Performance and is supported by the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Online and Professional Learning (OPLR).
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program at UW-Superior will:
- Integrate and apply nursing knowledge that is built on a foundation of liberal education, cultural competence, and community-enhanced learning.
- Provide just, high-quality, holistic, patient-centered care that is evidence-based, at an appropriate developmental level, and delivered in a respectful, compassionate, coordinated manner across diverse healthcare settings.
- Analyze public health issues and policies, and identify strategies for health promotion through advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the implementation of culturally congruent interventions and policies that improve health, health equity, and crisis preparedness with an emphasis on rural and indigenous populations.
- Integrate evidence-based knowledge and research into clinical decision-making to promote quality improvement practices recognizing the importance of nursing scholarship to improve health outcomes for communities and patients.
- Demonstrate advance leadership skills in nursing practice, including effectively collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, initiating change, advocating for quality patient care, and applying safety, risk management, and quality improvement into nursing practice.
- Intentionally and effectively collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner with healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines to improve patient outcomes and promote interdisciplinary teamwork with care team members including patients, facilities, and communities to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen health outcomes with an emphasis on respecting indigenous health beliefs and practices.
- Coordinate resources across complex healthcare systems to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
- Proficiently utilize healthcare technology, informatic processes, and data to guide, manage, and enhance patient care, documentation, and communication within healthcare teams, and improve healthcare delivery.
- Demonstrate the formation and cultivation or professional nursing identity, ethical conduct, and exhibit integrity adhering to professional nursing standards or practice and code of ethics.
- Participate in activities that foster personal health, resilience, and well-being, career-long learning, and develop nursing expertise through ongoing professional development and education.
The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, AACN 2021
Nursing (RN to BSN) Program Admission Requirements
Admission to the program requires an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Diploma in Nursing from an accredited nursing program. Institutions outside the United States must be recognized by the Ministry of Education of the home country.
Full admission requirements include:
- Admission to UW-Superior
- Unencumbered Registered Nurse License
- Transfer GPA of at least 2.5 on a 3.0 scale.
Prerequisites
Instructor permission is required for all nursing courses.
Faculty and Instructional Staff
Lorraine M. Smith, Associate Professor
Nursing Director and Educational Administrator
Curriculum and Courses
The UW-Superior Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) offers and contemporary curriculum grounded in leadership, community-enhanced learning, evidence-based practice, and healthcare technologies. In the program, students take each of the nine core courses and one nursing elective course.
Education Requirements
60 total credits
A grade of C or higher is required in all NURS prefix courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (27 Credits) | ||
| NURS 301 | Transition to BSN | 2.00 |
| NURS 302 | Indigenous Practices in Health and Healing | 3.00 |
| NURS 407 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3.00 |
| NURS 441 | Chronic Care Management | 3.00 |
| NURS 446 | Research & Evidence-Based Practice | 3.00 |
| NURS 447 | Leadership & Management | 3.00 |
| NURS 453 | Information Management & Healthcare Technology | 3.00 |
| NURS 454 | Community Health Nursing | 3.00 |
| NURS 497 | Nursing Synthesis & Application: Capstone and Clinical | 4.00 |
| Elective Credits | 3.00 | |
| Cross Cultural Health | ||
| Aging and Health | ||
| Global Health: Ethics and Human Rights | ||
| Health Assessment | ||
| Interdisciplinary Care of Children with Special Healthcare Needs | ||
| Mental Health Nursing Across the Care Continuum | ||
| Nursing Care at the End of Life | ||
| School Nursing in the Context of Community Health | ||
| Clinical Pharmacology | ||
| Pathophysiology | ||
| Total Hours | 30.00 | |
Nursing Prior Learning Credits * 30.00
* Nursing prior learning credits: Students receive a 30-credit block of Nursing coursework from the Systemwide Agreement Between the Wisconsin Technical College (WTCS) Associate Degree in Nursing Program and the University of Wisconsin System Collaborative Nursing Program/BSN@HOME and other UW-Superior nursing program articulation agreements.
Required Non-Nursing Courses (20-23 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I* 4
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II* 4
- Microbiology* 3-4
- Developmental Psychology* 3
- Statistics* 3-4
- Chemistry* 3-4
* May be satisfied through Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) coursework.