2023-24 Nursing - Associate Degree Requirements and Application

A nursing student wearing a surgical face mask

From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements and functional ability criteria. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice. 


Admission Requirements

The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture. 

Nursing - Associate Degree (pre) Admission Requirements

  • Complete Online application form
  • Complete Accuplacer entrance assessment to determine placement (waiver may apply with acceptable alternative test scores and/or postsecondary degree completion); NOTE: required Accuplacer entrance assessment scores for core Nursing coursework are higher than pre-Nursing scores.
  • Complete Northwood Tech pre-ADN Admissions Quiz (Not Required Spring, Summer, or Fall 2024)
  • Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
  • Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
  • Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor

Nursing - Associate Degree Program-Specific Requirements

Pre-Nursing students must complete the petition process to be eligible for the core Nursing program. In addition to the requirements above, students in this program must:

  • Complete one year, or one credit, of high school chemistry or one credit of college-level chemistry with a 2.0 or better
  • Complete a Nursing Assistant course with a grade of 2.0 or better
  • Complete priority petition for admission forms:
    • Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate; current high school seniors must provide both a current high school transcript and a final (official) transcript with confer date
    • Northwood Tech transcripts to verify course completion (priority admission is given to students who have completed the ADN program-required General Studies courses)
    • Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
    • Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
    • Complete and sign Intent to Enroll form
  • Prior to attendance in core Nursing coursework, student must:
    • Submit Background Check fee
    • Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable), and other states if applicable
    • Pass a physical exam, have current immunizations, and demonstrate negative status for tuberculosis (Tb)
    • COVID vaccination---highly recommended
      • NOTE: Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement or ability to progress in the program if a student is not able to meet the clinical site requirements including but not limited to; influenza vaccine, covid vaccine, negative tb skin test/quantiferon, up to date acceptable background check, or any other clinical requirements required by the clinical site. Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement if the clinical site must be changed due to students inability to meet the site specific requirements. Many sites require the student information 4-6 weeks prior to the clinical start date.
    • Possess current certification of "BLS Basic Life Support" or the equivalent
  • Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
  • Participate in a mandatory program orientation session

2023-24 Nursing-Associate Degree Additional Program Information

Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Associate Degree Nurse (ADN)

If you are a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and are interested in becoming a registered nurse (RN), Northwood Tech offers an LPN to ADN track. The LPN to ADN pathway provides advanced standing from an accredited program for nursing courses in ADN semesters one and two of the Northwood Tech ADN program. Additionally, credits may be transferred from the practical nursing program if the General Studies and/or elective credits were at an associate degree level. Contact the campus admissions advisor for more information.

Nursing - LPN to ADN Admission Requirements

  • Complete Paper application form
  • Complete Accuplacer assessment to determine placement (waiver may apply with acceptable alternative test scores and/or postsecondary degree completion)
  • Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate; current high school seniors must provide both a current high school transcript and a final (official) transcript with confer date
  • Complete one year, or one credit, of high school chemistry or one credit of college-level chemistry with a 2.0 or better
  • Have completed and passed or received transfer credit for the following general education classes: English, Composition 1, General Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Developmental Psychology, and Oral/Interpersonal Communication. NOTE: Intro to Sociology, Intro to Psychology, Microbiology and elective courses are not prerequisite to the progression path, but are strongly recommended for completion prior to entering clinical courses
  • Submit a copy of current, unrestricted active LPN license from U.S. State Boards of Nursing. Applicants without a U.S. issued state board of nursing license will need to apply and obtain a license from the state in which they reside.
  • Submit an official LPN transcript from a program that was accredited at the time of graduation.
  • Send statement of good standing from Dean of Nursing or Nursing Program Director at most recent college attended core (nursing core)
  • Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
  • Review and sign Functional Abilities Disclosure
  • Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor

Program-Specific Requirements

  • Successfully complete the LPN to ADN Module
  • Possess current certification of "BLS Basic Life Support" or the equivalent
  • Pass a physical exam, have current immunizations, and demonstrate negative status for tuberculosis (TB)
  • COVID vaccination---highly recommended
    • NOTE: Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement or ability to progress in the program if a student is not able to meet the clinical site requirements including but not limited to; influenza vaccine, covid vaccine, negative tb skin test/quantiferon, up to date acceptable background check, or any other clinical requirements required by the clinical site. Northwood Technical College cannot guarantee clinical placement if the clinical site must be changed due to students inability to meet the site specific requirements. Many sites require the student information 4-6 weeks prior to the clinical start date.
  • Prior to attendance in core Nursing coursework, student must: 
    • Submit Background Check fee
    • Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable) and other states if applicable
  • Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement

2023-24 LPN to ADN Additional Program Information

Nursing - Associate Degree Transfer Student Requirements

Students must have completed at least one transferrable clinical or skills-based nursing course from an accredited ADN program to qualify for transfer into the ADN program at Northwood Tech. There is no time limit for course transferability. If students have not yet entered a clinical or skill based nursing course, they must apply to the generic track of the ADN program. Due to the limited availability of clinical slots for transfer students, transfers are admitted on a space-available basis.

2023-24 Nursing-Associate Degree Program Additional Information-Transfer Track

2023-24 Northwood Tech/UWEC Nursing Alliance

Northwood Tech/UWEC Nursing Alliance applications have closed for 2023-24.  Please refer to the 2024-25 Requirements & Application page for next year’s application process and requirements.


2023-24 ADN Priority Petition Process

ADN Petition Process has closed for 2023-24.  Please refer to the 2024-25 Requirements & Application page for next year’s petition process requirements.

 

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2023-24 ADN Student Handbook

Associate Degree Nursing Orientation-Spring 2024

Agenda

Student Clinical Program Clinical Requirements and SOU

2023-24 Academic Calendar

  • ADN Curriculum Checklist
    • The ADN 2023-24 Curriculum Checklist is to be used as a guide. Although your academic advisor can provide guidance, you are ultimately responsible for selecting courses that meet a program's graduation requirements.
  • Background Checks
    • The clinical agencies that host the Northwood Tech ADN students for clinical courses have significantly increased their demands for background check scrutiny over the past several years. We want to ensure students understand prior to the start of the program that if there are no clinical agencies that will accept the student based on the background check, the student must be excused from the ADN program, regardless of the student's academic standing. This is explained in further detail in the Background Check Disclosure form listed above under Admission Requirements.
    • All ADN students are required to complete a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, Background Information Disclosure form (BID form), Student ID form, and a National Criminal Background Check through CastleBranch. In addition, if you are a Superior student, you are also required to complete a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (see below). The steps and documents to complete these background checks will be covered in depth during program orientation. 
      • MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Studies
      • The MN Department of Human Services NETStudy 2.0 background study requires all persons who provide services to children and vulnerable adults to be fingerprinted and photographed. 
      • Superior students will be required to enter their information into the MN DHS website and will need to provide Northwood Tech a copy of an Acceptable Form of ID (scroll down to What documents can be used to verify ID?). Northwood Tech staff will be notified when the information has been entered and will generate the Background Study Fingerprint & Photo Authorization document that is sent to the student. Students MUST present a form of ID to be fingerprinted and photographed. Students will be required to pay the $10.50 fee at the fingerprint and photo location. Visit MN DHS/IDEMIA Transition for information on fingerprinting and photo locations.
      • If Ashland, New Richmond, or Rice Lake students are required to attend clinical in Minnesota, they will be informed by their instructor. They will need to complete a MN DHS Data Worksheet, provide a copy of an Acceptable Form of ID, and submit $44 to Northwood Tech. 
      • Within 14 days of receiving the Background Study Fingerprint and Photo Authorization document, students must be fingerprinted and photographed. If not completed within 14 days, the above process and fee payment will need to be repeated. 
      • Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Your instructor will indicate a due date and to whom the paperwork should be sent. After background checks are completed, students are expected to self report any changes. 
  • Health Form and Directions
    • 1. Complete the Health Form and save it.
    • 2. Follow instructions for submission. 
  • Uniforms and Supplies
    • ADN Uniforms and Supplies Uniforms are available to purchase through your campus bookstore using this order form
    • Name badge can be obtained through your campus Learning Resource Center
  • Orientation Forms (Follow the directions on the Blackboard Orientation course)
  • BLS Basic Life Support Course Offerings
    • Spring 2024 BLS course offerings will be available soon.
  • Additional Information

Nursing-Associate Degree (ADN) Withdrawal

  • Instructions for Withdrawal from ADN Core Courses 
    • If you are at this webpage, it means your ADN Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your ADN course (543-xxx) courses.
      • If you are withdrawing from your ADN core (543-xxx) courses, the ADN program would like to gather data regarding your decision to withdraw.  This data is useful in the ADN planning process.  Thank you for providing this information.
      • Please carefully review the Withdrawal from the ADN Program form.  You may complete the form electronically and email to lorraine.sacinomurphy@NorthwoodTech.edu or print and mail this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
        • Lorraine Sacino Murphy
        • Northwood Technical College
        • 1900 College Dr
        • Rice Lake, WI  54868
      • If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Lorraine Sacino Murphy, Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director, at lorraine.sacinomurphy@NorthwoodTech.edu or 715.788.7089.

ADN Reentry Students

  • Process for ADN Reentry Students

    • If you are an ADN student who has failed or withdrawn from a core nursing course you are now considered a Reentry Student with the ADN program.  Due to limited enrollments allowed for clinical sites and available classroom space and resources for theory courses, reentry students must be prioritized for reentry into the ADN core courses.  

      A student who fails to earn a passing grade or withdraws from a nursing core course must complete the following forms:

      Student Program Readmission Request Form (E4)

      Students must meet with the Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director and submit both forms within ten (10) days of withdrawal or failure.  The Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director will forward both forms to the ADN Program Coordinator and a campus counselor to help ensure successful reentry.

      Please note that while you may not be eligible to continue with core nursing courses at this time due to pre/corequisite requirements, you are still eligible to take general studies or elective courses required for graduation from the ADN program. 

      Students will receive notification of their reentry status six (6) weeks prior to the start of the Fall semester and three (3) weeks prior to the start of the Spring semester they would like to reenter. There must be space available in the theory and skill courses, as well as clinical facility availability for a student to be able to reenter. 

    • A reentry student may not register for nursing core courses until approved to do so by the Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director and until all prerequisite core technical courses are completed.

    • If you are planning on retaking coursework through another WTCS college, you must still complete and return both forms.  This will ensure that you will still be considered for reentry priority status. 

    • If you are offered an opportunity to return and you decide to postpone your reentry to the ADN program, you will forfeit your priority reentry status and will not be eligible for reentry until after other students waiting to reenter (LPN to ADN, transfer) have had the opportunity to reenter. 

      All reentry students are required to resubmit a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check and a National Criminal Background Check which must be completed.  In additional to that, if you are a New Richmond or Superior student, you are also required to resubmit a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check. Background Check forms and information can be found on the ADN Program Webpage, Requirements & Application, scroll down to Orientation.

      In order to be considered for reentry, the student must be current on all clinical requirements and verifications.

      If you have any questions, please contact the Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director.

      Lorraine Sacino Murphy, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
      Associate Dean, Nursing/ADN Program Director
      Northwood Technical College
      1900 College Dr
      Rice Lake WI  54868
      715.788.7089
      lorraine.sacinomurphy@NorthwoodTech.edu

      Reentry Student Checklist

Technology Requirements

If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.

View All Technology Requirements

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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