FAQ

What can a BSN do for me that I cannot do now?

1. According to State Statutes you must have a BSN to work in Public Health.

2. Most facilities require or highly recommend a BSN for any leadership responsibilities.

3. If you envision a MSN is in your future, you need a BSN first.

4. If you envision starting your own business, we can help give you the information on management and leadership to do just that.

5. Many job descriptions indicate ADN as an entry level but BSN preferred.

6. In some fields such as Wound, Skin and Ostomy you must have a BSN to become certified.

How do I apply ?

1. The first step in applying to the BSN@Home option is to apply to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and have official transcripts of your college course work sent to the Admissions Office at UW Oshkosh. If you have less than 30 credits, your high school transcript is also required.

How many credits can I receive for my prior nursing training?

Registered nurses accepted to the BSN@Home option will be eligible for up to 60 credits (30 nursing and 30 general elective) upon completion of a designated credit-confirming course in the Baccalaureate Degree Program for RNs with a "C" or better. Students must have minimum GPA of 2.5.

The 30 general elective credits will waive the following pre-nursing courses if they have not already been completed:

• English I
• Biology
• Sociology
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Speech
• Chemistry and Biochemistry*
• Psychology
• Microbial Survey
• Growth and Development

Students having obtained their ADN in the Fall 2006 or later will be required to take chemistry and biology as part of their degree completion plan. Approved courses include, but are not limited to, CHE 250, Survey of Biochemistry and PHS.

Courses of college credit status will be evaluated and whenever possible, accepted as direct transfer credits; courses not holding college credit status will be designated as meeting the specific pre-nursing required courses, but only for the baccalaureate nursing degree at UW Oshkosh.

As of Spring 1998, the first completed core collaborative course is the designated credit confirming course.

What about my chemistry and biochemistry requirement? I do not have a college chemistry or biochemistry class. Does the year that I graduated make a difference?

Yes. If you received your ADN in May 2006 or later, you are required to take a biochemistry refresher. The online course, only available to collaborative nursing students, covers chemistry and biochemistry topics. Depending upon your associate program, you may also be required to take microbiology. Talk to your adviser to see if you need these courses.

What classes are required?

Nursing courses

Total of 60:

• 30 accepted as prior learning credits
• 30 completed as part of the collaborative program

*  Core Course
** Clinical courses carry a 1:3 ratio meaning 1 credit = 3 hours/per week

We recommend that you complete the one-credit Nursing-324 Orientation to Clinical Major first. This course contains valuable information for successful completion of your BSN and successful navigation of the BSN@Home program.

General Education
In addition to the 60 credits of nursing courses, students are required to complete 60 credits of general education courses, includes pre-nursing required courses (30 credits), campus specific degree requirements and electives. Electives are courses of your choosing and can be either general education or nursing electives.

Required courses:

Are there additional ways to earn credit for prior learning?

In addition to the general policy of credit for prior learning in nursing (30 nursing credits) UW Oshkosh provides an opportunity to gain recognition for prior learning by virtue of specialty certification. The following describes this policy.

Policy

Registered nurses who are active in nursing practice and hold current ANA or a Specialty Nursing Association Certification in a specialty area of nursing practice may be eligible for two nursing credits (two credits per certification) which may be used to meet the nursing elective requirements.

Requirements

The registered nurse must be active in nursing practice. Certification must be current. The UW Oshkosh College of Nursing Undergraduate Program must recognize the certifying agency as appropriate.

Procedure

The registered nurse submits a letter requesting additional credits to the Undergraduate Program. In addition to the letter, the following documentation is included with the request:

1. Evidence of current certification 
2. Position and place of current nursing practice.

What are the other requirements of the UW Oshkosh College of Nursing?

Health Requirements

Fees for immunizations, titers, TB test and CPR must be paid by the student.

Academic Policies

For academic policies related to progression, appeal procedures and grading scale, see the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Can I take courses at other UW System campuses?

UW Oshkosh College of Nursing supports an outreach campus in Wausau, Wisconsin. A faculty member/adviser maintains an office in the outreach area at the UW Marathon Center Campus. Students from the outreach area are able to complete all course requirements, including the two clinical courses, in the outreach area of Central Wisconsin.

How do I register for courses?

Registration for courses will involve collaborative registration procedures for BSN at Home courses, Oshkosh registration procedures for UW Oshkosh courses and other campus procedures for courses you might take from other college/university campuses.

BSN at Home core courses and nursing electives

• Registration is completed online.
  

UW Oshkosh Courses

• Complete registration online using Titan Web. These courses will be found in the UW Oshkosh semester timetable.

Courses offered by campuses other than UW Oshkosh

• Follow the registration procedure of respective campus

* Be sure to file an application for admission to the UW Oshkosh if you are a new student. This should accompany the registration form or may be completed online.

Where can I find information about course transferring?

Visit the Transfer Information System site for information about course transfer and/or equivalency.

Are there overnight housing options at the UW Oshkosh campus?

For overnight accommodations, UW Oshkosh nursing students can stay at the University's Gruenhagen Conference Center. When you call for reservations, indicate that you are a registered nurse in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh BSN Degree Completion Program. They may ask you for your ID number, which is the same as your social security number. The phone number for Gruenhagen Conference Center is (920) 424-1107 or (920) 424-1121.