Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) Majors Information

• Pre-Nursing (WDC)
• BSN (WDC)
• Pre-Nursing 2+2 BSN
• 2+2 BSN
   

• School of Nursing Page

Overview of Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The undergraduate nursing programs carry on Alverno College’s tradition in the professional liberal arts, with particular focus on integrative, experiential, and reflective approaches to learning. The BSN degree curriculum supports students’ development of knowledge and competence in the Alverno Abilities that frame the undergraduate curriculum at Alverno College: Communication, Analysis, Problem Solving, Valuing in Decision Making, Social Interaction, Developing a Global Perspective, Effective Citizenship, and Aesthetic Engagement. Didactic courses and clinical practicum and simulated clinical experiences are designed to support the learner in applying the Abilities as they work with individuals, families, and groups across the developmental lifespan and in diverse health care settings. Additionally, the following concepts, with outcomes established for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, are threaded throughout the BSN curriculum: communication, culture, ethics, leadership, mental health, nursing process, nutrition, professionalism, QSEN, and research/evidence-based practice. Clinical judgement and quality improvement are also increasingly emphasized. Two pre-licensure BSN degree programs are offered:

• BSN 
• 2+2 BSN 

Admission Requirements

Pre-Nursing BSN (WDC)

• Alverno College admission criteria for undergraduate (weekday college [WDC]) students met

Pre-Nursing 2+2 BSN 

• Cumulative GPA 2.5 minimum (in all previous college-level coursework)

BSN (WDC) Degree Program

• Alverno College admission criteria for undergraduate WDC students met​
• Successful completion of all required Pre-Nursing BSN (WDC) courses, including N-205

2+2 BSN Degree Program

• Cumulative GPA 2.5 minimum (in all previous college-level coursework)
• Prior successful completion of 60 credits of college-level general education coursework that includes algebra, anatomy & physiology I with lab, anatomy & physiology II, chemistry with lab, organic or biochemistry, microbiology with lab, developmental psychology, college-level speech/other like communication, composition/other writing, English/other literature, probability & statistics (inferential), humanities, and fine arts; with ethics, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, history, religion, political science, criminal justice, economics, business management/leadership, marketing, or other like college-level courses sufficient to meet the 60 credit requirement.
• Cumulative ATI TEAS score of 70 (two attempts maximum)

The following requirements must be met by all nursing majors at the time of admission to, and for continued enrollment in, the BSN (WDC) and 2+2 BSN Degree Programs:

• JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing
• Completion of a WI caregiver background check with no bars to clinical placement in any JMSNHP clinical partner agency; students who live or have lived in another state(s) and moved to WI within the three years prior to admission must also clear a caregiver background check in that state/those states with no bars to clninical placement in any JMSNHP clnical partner agency; and subsequently, all students must sign and submit a disclaimer annually, indicating that no new criminal charges have been leveled against them or are pending.
• Clear (i.e., negative) urine drug screen with no bars to clinical placement in any JMSNHP clinical partner agency (initial and subsequently, random screens)
• Full, ongoing compliance with all clinical requirements through CastleBranch (bloodborne pathogen training, current AHA CPR certification, health requirements including immunizations, HIPAA training, etc.) 
• Full, ongoing compliance with any additional requirements set forth by the JMSNHP clinical partner agency wherein a student is placed for clinical practica 

Conditional Admission (BSN): The opportunity for a conditional admission may be offered to an applicant who meets selected critical benchmarks but not all criteria for admission to the BSN (WDC) program or 2+2 BSN program. The opportunity for a conditional admission may be extended by the Dean of the JMSNHP, Chair of Undergraduate Nursing Programs, or Undergraduate Nursing Admission and Advancement Committee (UGNAA). Typically, a conditional admission to a BSN program involves stipulations that a student must meet during their first semester or first and second semesters of enrollment to continue in that program. Accordingly, the student who successfully meets the conditions of their admission progresses in their program. Except under extraordinary circumstances as determined by UGNAA, the student who does not meet the conditions of their admission is not allowed to continue and is dismissed from their program and the JSMNHP but not the College.

Foundations of BSN Curriculum

Three American Nurses Association (ANA) documents espouse the basis for all nursing practice, and Alverno nursing faculty use those documents to underpin the curriculum and structure its content and learning experiences:

• Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2025)
• Guide to Nursing’s Social Policy Statement: Understanding the Profession from Social Contract to Social Covenant (Fowler, 2015)
• Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2021)

In addition, the following documents espouse standards, competencies, and/or criteria that specifically serve to ground the BSN curriculum:

• QSEN Competencies. 
• Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE], 2026)
• IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Education (Interprofessional Education Collaborative, 2023)
• The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. (CCNE, 2024)

BSN Program Learning Outcomes

The BSN degree program graduate:

1. applies leadership concepts and skills grounded in professional standards to support innovation and adaptation in evolving healthcare systems.
2. integrates theories and evidence-based practice using multiple ways of thinking to promote, restore, and maintain optimum health of diverse individuals, families, communities, systems, and global populations.
3. integrates a global perspective with an understanding of self and others within the shared environment to promote health and well-being.
4. promotes a culture of quality, safety, and inclusiveness through mindful practice of continuous quality improvement
5. communicates and collaborates effectively and professionally using a variety of modes

PRE 2+2 Nursing _(PNRS.D.BA) Requirements 26-27 Catalog

1. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5
2. Complete TEAS Entrance Exam with a minimum score of 70% 
3. Meet JMSNHP Technical Standards in Nursing.
4. Meet the JMSNHP Clinical Participation Requirements
5. Successful completion of 60 credits of coursework including but not limited to: anatomy and physiology (including lab), chemistry (including lab), organic and/or biochemistry, microbiology, introductory psychology, developmental psychology, probability and statistics, English/college level composition, English/literature, fine arts, college level algebra, interpersonal communication or speech, humanities, and ethics/philosophy.

2+2 Nursing BSN _(NRS.S.BSN) Degree Requirements 26-27 Catalog

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AC-151	Initial Social Interaction Assessment	0
AC-440	Professional Program Assessment	0
BI-338	Pathophysiology	4
ILA-200	Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno	0
N-101	Think Like A Nurse	1
N-120	Introduction to the Nursing Profession	2
N-125	Concepts of Health and Wellness	2
N-220	Pharmacology: Nursing Connections	3
N-225	Health Assessment and Clinical Skills (theory and clinical practicum)	4
N-301	Communication (IPE)	0
N-302	Values and Ethics (IPE)	0
N-303	Interprofessional Roles & Responsibilities (IPE)	0
N-320	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management A	2
N-321	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management B	2
N-330	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management C	2
N-325	Clinical Nursing Practice I	4
N-335	Nursing Management of Aging Adults	2
N-340	Nursing Management: Women & Children	3
N-345	Clinical Nursing Practice II	4
N-400	Nursing Management: Complex Clients	3
N-420	Nursing in Complex Communities	3
N-425	Advanced Nursing Science Application I	4
N-435	Advanced Nursing Science Application II	5
N-440	Transition to Professional Nursing Roles	3
N-445	Advanced Nursing Leadership & Policy	3
N-499	Preparation for Internship Event	0
PSY-250	Abnormal Psychology	4
Total Credits		60

Pre-Nursing _(PRN.D.BSN) Requirements 26-27 Catalog

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AC-151	Initial Social Interaction Assessment (General Education)	0
BI-233 & 233L	Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab	4
BI-251 & 251L	Microbiology and Microbiology Lab	4
BI-333	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	3
CH-213 & 213L	Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab	4
CM-120	Communication Seminar 1 (General Education)	4
CM-125	Communication Seminar 2 (General Education)	3
FSS-125	First Semester Seminar (General Education)	2
GEC-300-SERIES
ILA-100	Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno	0
or ILA-200	Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno
HFA-210-SERIES
HFA-310-SERIES
HUM-100-LEVEL
N-101	Think Like A Nurse	1
N-120	Introduction to the Nursing Profession	2
N-125	Concepts of Health and Wellness	2
N-205	Admission to the Nursing Major	0
N-220	Pharmacology: Nursing Connections	3
N-225	Health Assessment and Clinical Skills (theory and clinical practicum)	4
N-301	Communication (IPE)	0
N-302	Values and Ethics (IPE)	0
N-303	Interprofessional Roles & Responsibilities (IPE)	0
N-320	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management A	2
N-321	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management B	2
N-325	Clinical Nursing Practice I	4
N-330	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management C	2
N-335	Nursing Management of Aging Adults	2
N-340	Nursing Management: Women & Children	3
N-345	Clinical Nursing Practice II	4
N-400	Nursing Management: Complex Clients	3
N-420	Nursing in Complex Communities	3
N-425	Advanced Nursing Science Application I	4
N-435	Advanced Nursing Science Application II	5
N-440	Transition to Professional Nursing Roles	3
N-445	Advanced Nursing Leadership & Policy	3
N-499	Preparation for Internship Event	0
PSY-110	Life Span Development (General Education)	4
PSY-250	Abnormal Psychology	4
QL-122	Quantitative Literacy in Modern World (General Education)	3-4
or BU-151	Personal Finance
QL-156	Mathematical Connections (General Education )	3
SC-119 & 119L	Foundations of Chemistry and Foundations of Chemistry Lab (General Educatiion)	4
SC-120 & 120L	Foundations of Biology and Foundations of Biology Lab	4
SC-119L	Foundations of Chemistry Lab	1
SC-120L	Foundations of Biology Lab	1
Total Credits		100-101

Nursing _(N.D.BSN) Requirements 26-27 Catalog

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GENERAL EDUCATION
AC-151	Initial Social Interaction Assessment	0
ADV-299	Intermediate Level Event	0
BSC-257	Statistics for Health Professionals	4
CM-120	Communication Seminar 1	4
CM-125	Communication Seminar 2	3
FA-110	Intro to the Arts	4
FSS-125	First Semester Seminar	2
HFA-210		2
HFA-310		2
HUM-150	Express/Interpretn Human Experience	4
ILA-100	Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno	0
or ILA-200	Introduction to the Liberal Arts @ Alverno
Global Effective Citizen; Choose One Course: GEC-302, AHS-409/GEC-307, GEC-312, GEC-314, GEC-315, GEC-317, GEC-320, GEC-324, GEC-328, GEC-333, GEC-398		3
PSY-110	Life Span Development	4
SC-120 & 120L	Foundations of Biology and Foundations of Biology Lab	4
QL-122	Quantitative Literacy in Modern World	3-4
or BU-151	Personal Finance
QL-156	Mathematical Connections	3
AC-440	Professional Program Assessment	0
NURSING COURSES
BI-233 & 233L	Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab	4
BI-251 & 251L	Microbiology and Microbiology Lab	4
BI-333	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	3
BI-338	Pathophysiology	4
CH-213 & 213L	Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab	4
N-205	Admission to the Nursing Major	0
N-101	Think Like A Nurse	1
N-120	Introduction to the Nursing Profession	2
N-125	Concepts of Health and Wellness	2
N-220	Pharmacology: Nursing Connections	3
N-225	Health Assessment and Clinical Skills (theory and clinical practicum)	4
N-301	Communication (IPE)	0
N-302	Values and Ethics (IPE)	0
N-303	Interprofessional Roles & Responsibilities (IPE)	0
N-320	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management A	2
N-321	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management B	2
N-325	Clinical Nursing Practice I	4
N-330	Theories of Holistic Nursing Management C	2
N-335	Nursing Management of Aging Adults	2
N-340	Nursing Management: Women & Children	3
N-345	Clinical Nursing Practice II	4
N-400	Nursing Management: Complex Clients	3
N-420	Nursing in Complex Communities	3
N-425	Advanced Nursing Science Application I	4
N-435	Advanced Nursing Science Application II	5
N-440	Transition to Professional Nursing Roles	3
N-445	Advanced Nursing Leadership & Policy	3
N-499	Preparation for Internship Event	0
PSY-250	Abnormal Psychology	4
SC-119 & 119L	Foundations of Chemistry and Foundations of Chemistry Lab	4
Total Credits		121-122