Nursing - Associate Degree
Degree Type
65-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree
Program Code
10-543-1
Time to Degree
More than 2 years
Start Date
August / January
How You'll Learn
8-Week Courses
Full-Time
Nurses are key to the healthcare team, serving as caregivers, educators and patient advocates. Integrate the science and art of nursing to prepare for the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse. Licensed nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities or on the business side of healthcare.
Please note: To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
Steps to Complete the Nursing Program
Apply and Become Admitted as a Pre-Core Student
- Apply online and pay the $30 application fee. This program is only open to in-state residents.
- Submit a copy of one of the following to demonstrate your reading and writing skills:
- High school GPA of 2.60 or above. Transcript must include completed coursework through the 11th grade.*
- ACT, ACCUPLACER® or GED - 2014 Series (165 or higher).*
- Prior college coursework may meet this requirement in whole or in part. Courses must be in the specific area(s), and you must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses.*
- If none of the above apply, sign up for the ACCUPLACER® placement test.
WCTC follows a waitlist process for students admitted into this program.
Questions on the application process? Visit the Admissions page or contact an enrollment counselor.
Complete Core-Ready Checklist
Admitted students must complete the academic preparedness checklist items below to become Core-Ready. Students who receive a seat in the Nursing program will be notified via email with instructions on how to register for core program courses.
- Complete and pass the ATI TEAS Exam. If you took the TEAS exam elsewhere and passed with a 65% or higher overall score, request official scores to be sent to WCTC.
- Complete your General Studies courses. Have transfer credit? Check out Credit for Prior Learning.
- Provide proof of Nursing Assistant course completion.
View your missing and completed items by logging into your MyCompass.
To begin core program courses in a specific semester, complete checklist items by the dates outlined below:
- Fall Start: Complete checklist by the first Monday in April to be considered for core courses starting in fall.
- Spring Start: Complete checklist by the first Monday in November to be considered for core courses starting in spring.
- If you are Core Ready, you will receive an email during the week of November 3 confirming whether you have received a seat. If you do not receive an email that week, please continue to monitor your inbox, we will notify you if a seat becomes available.
Become Core-Active and Complete Core Courses
Before beginning core courses, complete the following items:
- Complete mandatory Nursing student orientation, which includes a caregiver background check.
- Provide proof of valid BLS Provider certification from the American Heart Association. WCTC also offers a BLS Provider Renewal course.
- Complete health and safety requirements.
- Review the Nursing student handbook.
Note: Students who have not completed these requirements will be dropped from courses and moved back to Core-Ready status.
Become a Registered Nurse
Upon graduating, you will be prepared to take the national licensing exam (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse. View the current WCTC NCLEX pass rates.
This program is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for licensure set forth by the State of Wisconsin. Review out-of-state licensure information.
Program Details
Contact Us
Questions? We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.
Technical Standards
The students enrolled in the Nursing - Associate Degree program should be able to meet the established technical standards identified below with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the Nursing - Associate Degree program are representative of those found in the Nursing profession.
Review the Nursing Technical Standards.
Health Requirements
Review the current Nursing - Associate Degree health and safety requirements.
Clinical Site Compliance
Please note that some clinical sites require compliance with various safety protocols and measures as a condition to placement. Students may individually address clinical placement requirements with Jenny Clausen, Clinical Placement Specialist.
Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact Jonathan Pedraza in the Student Life Office.
Potential Careers
If you have a solid background in science, are emotionally strong, enjoy caring for others, and have empathy and compassion, the nursing profession may be for you. Nurses are quick thinkers who can adapt to a wide range of situations and work in a variety of healthcare settings. Successful nurses are responsible, organized and detail oriented, and they have a passion for helping others.
- Staff Nurse
- Charge Nurse/Supervisor
- Public Health or School Nurse
- Forensic Nurse
- Home Care Nurse
- Nurse Educator
Career Salaries
$74,700 – $97,700 annually
Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Lightcast. Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements. Find our graduates' entry wages in the most recent Graduate Success Report.
Financial Aid
As a program student, you are eligible to receive:
- Financial aid loans
- Scholarships
- Other forms of assistance
Learn more about financial aid.
High School Eligibility
This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Learn more >
Please note, students must be 16 years or older to enroll in this program.
What Makes This Program Unique
- After completing the fourth term of core/technical nursing courses, students are eligible to receive a certificate of completion, take the Practical Nursing (PN) Licensure exam and work as an LPN while continuing Nursing studies.
- Gain realistic, scenario-based clinical practice in WCTC’s high-tech Human Patient Simulator (HPS) Lab along with developing a variety of hands-on skills in the Nursing Skills Lab.
- An accelerated track is available for Licensed Practical Nurses to earn this degree.
Accreditation
The associate degree nursing program at Waukesha County Technical College at the Pewaukee Campus located in Pewaukee, WI is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Waukesha County nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
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Program Pathway
Earn certificates, technical diplomas and/or industry credentials along this pathway. Start with some courses for entry-level employment, and continue with additional courses for higher wages and job advancement.
Nursing Pathway
Earn credit for prior learning for the college-level knowledge and skills that you've already acquired through advanced high school classes, previous college coursework, self-study, military training work or volunteer experience.
More Credit Opportunities
High School Dual Credit
Dual enrollment offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start in high-demand fields while earning college credits.
Credit for Prior Learning
You may have the opportunity to obtain credit for the college-level skills and knowledge you've already acquired through prior coursework, work experience and more.
Transfer Opportunities After WCTC
WCTC has credit transfer agreements with many four-year institutions that allow our degree graduates to transfer credits into a baccalaureate program, often at junior-level standing.