Nursing, Marshfield Program, Comprehensive Major

(Code 700-008)

University Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)39
Liberal Education Core36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total2.00 average
Resident2.00 average
Major2.00 average
Minor2.00 average
Certificate2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total30
Senior year23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence21
Certificate25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.
1

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

2

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATIONCredit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree creditmaximum 12
Major, Standardmaximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensivemaximum 2 courses
Minormaximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree creditmaximum ¼ of total
Major or minormaximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree creditmaximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, dramamaximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, dramamaximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-Systemno maximum
Other extension/correspondencemaximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFImaximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTSa minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): HumanitiesTwo (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine ArtsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral CommunicationTwo (2) learning experiences
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): MathematicsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): CreativityOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and InclusivityTwo (2) learning experiences
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global PerspectivesOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental IssuesOne (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): IntegrationTwo (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning30 hours

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Professional Nursing Program.

Major/Degree Requirements

(Code 700-008)

The nursing major for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is comprehensive. Students taking a comprehensive major are not required to declare a minor or certificate in another area. However, students who are interested in a minor or certificate are encouraged to discuss options with their advisor. Students must also seek an advisor in the area of the minor.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, students must complete at least 120 semester credits with a total and resident GPA of at least 2.50; must meet all university requirements for graduation; and must meet all nursing program requirements for the degree. 

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Policy:  No course required for the degree in nursing may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.  Audit enrollment is not allowed.

Required Non-Nursing Courses

CHEM 105
CHEM 106
General Chemistry I Lecture
and General Chemistry I Laboratory 1
5
CHEM 150Survey of Biochemistry 23
BIOL 214Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 250Microbiology 33
BIOL 314Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
PSYC 230Human Development 43
MATH 246Elementary Statistics4
or PSYC 265 Statistical Methods in Psychology I
S1 course (excluding Writing Requirement courses) 53

Required Nursing Courses (60 semester credits)

NRSG 245Pharmacology for Nursing Practice3
NRSG 249Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition in Nursing Practice2
NRSG 257Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice4
NRSG 267Practicum: Foundational Skills for Nursing Practice3
NRSG 317Practicum: Advanced Skills for Nursing Practice4
NRSG 327Nursing Leadership and Systems I3
NRSG 337Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults I3
NRSG 347Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2
NRSG 357Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II4
NRSG 359Practicum: Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults2
NRSG 367Community and Public Health Nursing3
NRSG 376Nursing Care of Women, Infants, and Families3
NRSG 424Nursing Leadership and Systems II3
NRSG 428Practicum: Nursing Leadership I 63
NRSG 446Nursing Care of Children and Families4
NRSG 447Practicum: Nursing Care of Individuals, Infants, Children, and Families2
NRSG 457Nursing Care of Chronically Ill Patients and Their Families3
NRSG 467Seminar: Innovative Solutions to Complex Healthcare Problems2
NRSG 477Practicum: Nursing Leadership II4
NRSG 487Transition to Professional Nursing Practice3
1

CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 or CHEM 103 required.  CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 together meet the nursing general chemistry requirement and constitute one course for the purpose of the nursing admission criteria.  Must achieve a grade of C or better in both CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 (not an average of the two).

2

CHEM 150 available spring semesters at UW-Eau Claire and some fall and winterim terms. 

3

BIOL 250 available fall semesters at UW-Eau Claire and some winterim and summer terms.  Course also frequently available at the Wisconsin technical schools.

4

PSYC 100 is not required for nursing, but it is a prerequisite for PSYC 230 and counts as a LE-K2 experience. 

5

LE-S1 course (excluding Writing Requirement courses) required for Nursing.

6

NRSG 428 meets the university Service-Learning and LE-S3 requirements; provides one integration (LE-I1) experience.

Independent Study

Under the course numbers 399 and 499, the Department of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences provides students with opportunities for student-initiated independent study in areas of special interest with guidance of a faculty member.

Eligibility. Independent Study courses are open only to juniors and seniors. A student with a nursing major may elect an Independent Study, provided the student has at least 3.00 resident and total GPAs. Registration requires the permission of the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project and of the department offering the course.

Restrictions. One to three credits of Independent Study (399 or 499) may be elected during any semester. A total of no more than six independent study credits in nursing may be counted toward graduation. Independent Study courses may not be applied toward completion of the liberal education requirements.

Procedure. The student shall obtain the Independent Study eform from the Registrar's Office website and complete the form in consultation with the supervising faculty member. Initial approval by the department chair is required prior to enrollment.

Directed Study

Courses numbered 295, 395, and 495 offered by the Nursing Department in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are designed to permit individual students or groups of students to undertake special projects related to their educational interests and goals.

Eligibility. Registration for a Directed Study course requires the permission of the faculty member who agrees to supervise the project and of the department offering the course. Any further conditions of eligibility may be established by the department or published as part of the course description.

Restrictions. One to three credits of Directed Study (295, 395, or 495) may be elected during any semester. A total of no more than six directed study credits in nursing may be counted toward graduation. Directed Study courses may not be applied toward completion of the liberal education requirements.

Procedure. The student shall obtain the Directed Study eform from the Registrar's Office website and complete the form in consultation with the supervising faculty member. Initial approval by the department chair is required prior to enrollment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from UW-Eau Claire with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree demonstrate accomplishment of the AACN Baccalaureate Essentials* through:

  1. Integration of liberal and nursing education, with particular distinction in:
    • leading change in complex health care environments.
  2. Organizational and systems leadership for patient safety and quality care, with particular distinction in:
    • developing effective working relationships for quality improvement and optimizing patient care outcomes.
  3. Scholarship for evidence-based practice, with particular distinction in:
    • providing leadership in the synthesis and application of evidence with integration into changing standards of care.
  4. Information management and application of patient care technology.
  5. Understanding of health care policy, finance and regulatory environments, with particular distinction in:
    • advocacy for individuals, families, and communities.
  6. Interprofessional communication and collaboration for improving patient health outcomes, with particular distinction in:
    • delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care;
    • coordination of care across settings and through the health-illness trajectory.
  7. Clinical prevention and population health for optimizing health, with particular distinction in:
    • analysis of population health needs, determinants, and resources, and development of action strategies.
  8. Professionalism and professional values, with particular distinction in:
    • ethical practice, social responsibility, a commitment to social justice, and global citizenship;
    • delivery of culturally competent care within diverse settings and/or populations.
  9. Beginning competence in baccalaureate generalist nursing practice, with particular distinction in:
    • holistic, relationship-based care incorporating therapeutic use of self;
    • integration of nursing concepts, human responses, and safe and competent nursing care;
    • use of nursing process to effect highest quality health outcomes.

*The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, AACN, 2008

Sample Degree Plan

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work. 

Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
FIRST YEAR
1st SEMESTER
WRIT 116Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (or appropriate option for meeting the University Writing Requirement, Counts as LE-S1)5
CHEM 105
CHEM 106
General Chemistry I Lecture
and General Chemistry I Laboratory (counts as LE-K1) 1
5
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Counts as LE-K2) 43
or PSYC 260 Educational Psychology
Communication/Language (LE-S1 or LE-R2) or Humanities (LE-K3) 53-4
TOTAL CREDITS16-17
2nd SEMESTER
CHEM 150Survey of Biochemistry (counts as LE-K1) 23
BIOL 214Human Anatomy and Physiology I (counts as LE-K1)4
PSYC 230Human Development (Counts as LE-K2, LE-R1)3
Communication/Language (LE-S1 or LE-R2) or Humanities (LE-K3) 3-4
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities OR Elective1-3
TOTAL CREDITS15-17
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
SECOND YEAR
1st SEMESTER
BIOL 250Microbiology 33
BIOL 314Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
MATH 246Elementary Statistics (Counts as LE-S2)4
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (R2) Global Perspectives/Language OR LE Option: Integration (I1) 3-4
TOTAL CREDITS14-15
2nd SEMESTER
NRSG 245Pharmacology for Nursing Practice3
NRSG 249Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition in Nursing Practice2
NRSG 257Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice4
NRSG 267Practicum: Foundational Skills for Nursing Practice3
Select one of the following if not already completed:3-4
MATH 246 (counts as LE-S2)
PSYC 230 (counts as LE-K2, LE-R1)
CHEM 150 (counts as LE-K1)
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (R2) Global Perspectives
LE Option: Integration (I1)
TOTAL CREDITS15-16
THIRD YEAR
1st SEMESTER
NRSG 317Practicum: Advanced Skills for Nursing Practice4
NRSG 327Nursing Leadership and Systems I3
NRSG 337Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults I3
NRSG 347Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing2
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
TOTAL CREDITS15
2nd SEMESTER
NRSG 357Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults II4
NRSG 359Practicum: Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults2
NRSG 367Community and Public Health Nursing3
NRSG 376Nursing Care of Women, Infants, and Families3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (R3) Civic and Environmental Issues3
TOTAL CREDITS15
FOURTH YEAR
1st SEMESTER
NRSG 424Nursing Leadership and Systems II3
NRSG 428Practicum: Nursing Leadership I (Counts as LE-S3, LE-I1; meets LE-SL) 63
NRSG 446Nursing Care of Children and Families4
NRSG 447Practicum: Nursing Care of Individuals, Infants, Children, and Families2
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (K4) Fine Arts3
TOTAL CREDITS15
2nd SEMESTER
NRSG 457Nursing Care of Chronically Ill Patients and Their Families3
NRSG 467Seminar: Innovative Solutions to Complex Healthcare Problems2
NRSG 477Practicum: Nursing Leadership II4
NRSG 487Transition to Professional Nursing Practice3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities OR Elective3
TOTAL CREDITS15
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits
1

CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 or CHEM 103 required.  CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 together meet the nursing general chemistry requirement and constitute one course for the purpose of the nursing admission criteria.  Must achieve a grade of C or better in both CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 (not an average of the two).

2

CHEM 150 available spring semesters at UW-Eau Claire and some fall and winterim terms. 

3

BIOL 250 available fall semesters at UW-Eau Claire and some winterim and summer terms.  Course also frequently available at the Wisconsin technical schools.

4

PSYC 100 is not required for nursing, but it is a prerequisite for PSYC 230 and counts as a LE-K2 experience. 

5

LE-S1 course (excluding Writing Requirement courses) required for Nursing.

6

NRSG 428 meets the university Service-Learning and LE-S3 requirements; provides one integration (LE-I1) experience.

PREREQUISITES FOR SECOND YEAR NURSING COURSES
NRSG 245 CHEM 150 Prerequisite or Concurrent
NRSG 249 CHEM 150 Prerequisite or Concurrent
NRSG 257 PSYC 230 Prerequisite or Concurrent; Statistics (MATH 246 or PSYC 265) Prerequisite or Concurrent
NRSG 267 BIOL 250, BIOL 314, CNA Certification

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

  • NRSG 428 is a first semester required senior clinical course that meets the University Service Learning and LE-S3 requirements; provides one integration (LE-I1) experience.
  • Students expecting to take first semester senior nursing courses during a fall term may consider a nursing study abroad opportunity available through the University of Evansville at Harlaxton, England. Summer study abroad opportunities intended for nursing/health professions students include Puebla, Mexico; Valladolid, Spain; and Costa Rica.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.