BSN@Home
The RN to BSN program, called the BSN@Home program, is for Registered Nurses who already have an associate's degree or diploma in nursing and wish to earn the bachelor of science in nursing degree.
The curriculum is designed for working adults. Almost all required coursework is completed online. Students can complete the program in as little as a year and a half.
The BSN@Home program is cooperatively administered by six campuses in the University of Wisconsin System: UW–Madison, UW–Eau Claire, UW–Green Bay, UW–Milwaukee, UW–Oshkosh and UW–Stevens Point. Students typically select their home institution based on proximity. All BSN@Home students are required to complete the same core nursing curriculum, but specific admission and degree requirements vary among campuses.
How to Get in
Eligibility Requirements
- Associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing program. Students with an ADN (or equivalent degree) through an international institution are eligible for admission consideration if they have completed the following required coursework. International Nurse Admission Requirements can be downloaded from this page.
- Overall GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale
- RN license
- Resident of Wisconsin, upper peninsula of Michigan, and/or contiguous counties in Illinois, Iowa or Minnesota
- Meets university transfer admission requirements at UW–Madison. Factors considered in admission decisions include:
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA): While the average GPA of admitted transfers is a 3.4, UW–Madison will consider prospective BSN@Home if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 with steady grade trends and patterns. GPA calculations will include all grades received for repeated courses; the initial grade, as well as grades received in second and subsequent attempts will be included in the GPA calculation.
- College-Level Course Preparation: Students must have completed at least 24 transferable (college-level) non-nursing credits in addition to the nursing classes they completed in their ADN or nursing piploma program.
- High School Record: Regardless of the number of college credits earned, the high school transcript is required and must show proof of graduation.
- Required Courses: Students must have completed one year each of high school algebra, plane geometry, and college-preparatory math, and two high school years or two college semesters of a single foreign language. Requirements may vary if students graduated high school 1991 or prior. Contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment with specific questions about academic background.
To Apply
Admissions Timeline
Students can begin the program in either spring or fall.
- Fall term application due: February 1
- Spring term application due: October 1
Review of Applications
Applications are reviewed by the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Students will be evaluated on both high school and college records. Admission to the program is selective.
To Apply
Complete the UW System Application for Admission:
- Intended campus: UW–Madison
- Intended major: BSN@Home/Nursing Collaborative Program
For this program, there is no supplemental application submitted to the School of Nursing.
UW–Madison Reentry Admission
Students who have previously attended UW–Madison as degree-seeking students are eligible to apply to the BSN@Home program by submitting a Reentry Application. Second-degree candidate should select BSN@Home/Nursing Collaborative Program as the intended major. Students who have not previously earned an undergraduate degree through UW–Madison will be readmitted to their previous classification (e.g., Letters & Science). If readmitted to the previous classification, students should email the School of Nursing to request consideration for admission to the BSN@Home program.
Reentry applications will be evaluated by the UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment. While the Reentry Admissions site lists university-wide application deadlines, students should submit the application by the following dates to ensure access to open nursing courses:
- Summer term: February 1
- Fall semester: March 1
- Spring semester: October 1
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
RN to BSN (BSN@Home) Major Requirements
Students may transfer up to 90 credits of coursework taken elsewhere (from a two-year or a four-year institution). A total of 120 credits is required for the Nursing, BSN (Collaborative).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science 1 | 12-13 | |
| Humanities and Social Science 1 | 22 | |
| Nursing Transfer Credits 2 | 24-30 | |
| BSN@Home Coursework | 24 | |
| Electives | 31-38 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
The entirety of this requirement group may be fulfilled by transfer credit.
- 2
Students who earned an ADN from a Wisconsin Technical College may transfer 30 credits. All others receive 24 credits.
Science
All requirements may be transferred from a two-year or four-year institution (12-13 credits).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Chemistry in Our World | ||
| Advanced General Chemistry | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| General Microbiology | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry | ||
| Anatomy Physiology | ||
| ANAT&PHY 335 | Physiology | 5 |
| Total Credits | 12-13 | |
Humanities and Social Science
All requirements may be transferred from a two-year or four-year institution (22 credits).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Science | ||
| Psychology | ||
| PSYCH 202 | Introduction to Psychology (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Sociology | ||
| Select any introductory Sociology course | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| Select three credits of Human Growth and Development | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select six credits of Humanities | 6 | |
| Humanities or Social Science | ||
| Select seven credits of Humanities or Social Science | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 22 | |
Nursing Transfer Credits
Students pursuing a Nursing BSN may transfer in credits from another institution to fulfill some of the requirements of the degree. These transfer credits are awarded in recognition of the associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma. Students who earned the ADN from a Wisconsin Technical College receive 30 transfer credits1. All other students receive 24 credits.2
- 1
Transcripted as NURSINGX02 and NURSINGX28.
- 2
Transcripted as NURSINGX02 and NURSINGX22.
BSN@Home Nursing Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | ||
| CNP 306 | Transitions: Practice, Professional and Personal | 3 |
| CNP 407 | Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 |
| CNP 441 | Chronic Care Management | 3 |
| CNP 446 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| CNP 447 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| CNP 453 | Information Management and Healthcare Technology | 3 |
| CNP 454 | Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| CNP 519 | Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select 31-38 credits of electives | 31-38 | |
| Total Credits | 31-38 | |
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Promote health and manage illness by providing safe, client-centered, culturally congruent care across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings.
- Employ professional nursing leadership concepts to address patient care and system needs to promote quality health care outcomes and health equity for all.
- Make effective use of technology for patient care, education, and management of health information.
- Understand the roles and scope of practice of disciplines of the health care team and practice as an effective, collaborating member of the interprofessional team.
- Use knowledge sources effectively to provide evidence-based care.
- Identify health disparities and advocate for basic essential health services for all.
- Allocate health care resources to maximize the health care benefit to clients, families, and community.
- Assume fiscal and ethical responsibility for clinical practice.
- Function as a member of the nursing profession within the community and the world.
Four-Year Plan
| Semester 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | ||||
| CNP 306 (Must be taken first semester in the program) | 3 | ||||
| CNP 407 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | |||||
| Semester 2 | |||||
| Spring | Credits | ||||
| CNP 441 | 3 | ||||
| CNP 446 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | |||||
| Semester 3 | |||||
| Summer | Credits | ||||
| CNP 447 | 3 | ||||
| 3 | |||||
| Semester 4 | |||||
| Fall | Credits | ||||
| CNP 453 | 3 | ||||
| CNP 454 | 3 | ||||
| 6 | |||||
| Semester 5 | |||||
| Spring | Credits | ||||
| CNP 490 | 1-4 | ||||
| CNP 519 (Must be taken in the last semester of nursing coursework.) | 3 | ||||
| 4-7 | |||||
| Total Credits 25-28 | |||||
People
Office of Academic Affairs
Administration
Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Dean and Professor
ldscott@wisc.edu
Lisa C. Bratzke, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAHA
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor
bratzke@wisc.edu
Katie Bleier
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (Academic Dean)
katie.bleier@wisc.edu
608-263-5172
Dana O'Brien, PhD, MSN, MHA, RN, CNE
Undergraduate Program Director, Associate Professor
drobrien2@wisc.edu
Advising and Student Services
Darby Sugar
Director of Advising and Student Services
darby.sugar@nursing.wisc.edu
Molly Censky
Assistant Director of Advising and Student Success, Pre-Nursing Advisor
molly.censky@wisc.edu
Maisee Her
Pre-Nursing Academic Advisor
maisee.her@wisc.edu
Leigh Arora
Pre-Nursing Academic Advisor & BSN@Home Program Coordinator
leigh.arora@wisc.edu
Tracey Maloney
Advisor for Admitted Nursing Students (ABSN & TBSN)
tmmaloney@wisc.edu
Kelli Richards
Career Development & Learning Support Manager
kelli.richards@wisc.edu
Admissions and Recruitment
Patrick Stevens
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
patrick.stevens@wisc.edu
Clinical Placement
Ann Johnson
Undergraduate Clinical Placement Coordinator
amjohnson46@wisc.edu
Rikki Klassy
Undergraduate Clinical Placement Coordinator
klassy2@wisc.edu
Student Information and Technology
John Coutley
Data Reporting Specialist
coutley@wisc.edu
Amy Corridon
Curricular & Technology Specialist
corridon@wisc.edu
Certification/Licensure
National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCLEX-RN
| Year of Exam | UW-Madison Graduates: First Attempt | National: First Attempt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April-September 2021 | 81% | 72% | |
| April-September 2020 | 93% | 79% | |
| April-September 2019 | 89% | 86% |
Note: UW-Madison BSN Graduates pass rate reflects all UW-Madison Bachelor of Science-Nursing graduates who tested during the April-to-September test period for the first time, including recent and previous graduates.
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
California, New York
Updated: 1 June 2024
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Accreditation status: Next accreditation review: 2029–2030.