Ready to apply for admission? We're excited to have you join the College of Nursing and Health Sciences family! Admission requirements to the nursing programs at UW-Eau Claire vary by program. The details for admission into the individual programs are listed below.

BSN Admission Requirements and Application Process

Admission to our BSN program is competitive, but when you walk across that stage to accept your diploma it will all be worth it. Although the application for the BSN program doesn't start until the end of your first year (once you have completed 30 credits), it's good to get a review of what requirements you need to meet in order to be accepted into the nursing program. Please review the admission requirements below and let us know if you have any questions.

Enrollment Information

Students wishing to pursue a nursing degree register as pre-nursing students. Then, a formal application to the professional program must be made. 

Students are encouraged to apply during the semester in which 30 credits will be completed. Deadline dates for filing admission applications to the nursing program are DECEMBER 1 and MAY 1. Students are able to pursue their degree at either the Eau Claire Campus or our Marshfield Site. 

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to the nursing program, applicants must have:

1. Been accepted as a pre-nursing student at the University and is currently in good standing
2. Completed at least 30-semester credits, not including courses for the nursing assistant certification, with a total cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00
3. Completed at least three required natural science courses, two of which are laboratory science courses, with a grade point average of at least 2.50
4. Earned a grade of "C" or better in all courses required for nursing
5. Completed all application materials

Note: Remedial coursework (e.g., Math 20) does not count towards the 30 required credits for admission. Chem 105 & Chem 106 together meet the nursing general chemistry requirement and constitute one course for the purpose of the nursing admission criteria.

Other data used by the Admissions Committee are derived from a variety of sources that include admission applications to the University and the nursing program, high school transcript showing rank in class, previous college records, and standardized tests such as ACT or SAT. International, non-native speakers of English applying to an undergraduate nursing program must have a TOEFL score as follows: TOEFL Written >560; or TOEFL (CBT) >220; or TOEFL (iBT) >83. 

CNA, CPR and Health Records

• Evidence of Health Care Provider level CPR certification and all required health and background check information must be submitted at the time of admission to the program (not needed at the time of application). View the list of Eau Claire CNA sites and Marshfield CNA sites-coming soon.
• Evidence of current or previous certification as a Nursing Assistant must be submitted prior to registering for NRSG 267.

Technology Requirements

All undergraduate students in the traditional BSN program track are required to have individual in-class access to a wireless-enabled laptop with webcam and microphone. No particular laptop is specified, with the exception that it not be a Chromebook, tablet, iPad, or Surface Pro due to software compatibility issues.

The laptop should also meet the following characteristics/capabilities: 

Windows

Processor Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 7 Operating System Windows 10 or 11 Software Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365) Memory 16 GB RAM or higher Hard Drive 256 GB, SSD (Solid State Drive) or better Network Interface 100/1000 gigabit ethernet Wireless Capability Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) or newer WebCam Integrated or external webcam required HDMI To use projection systems on campus laptops should have a HDMI port or adapter (current model machines typically use a USB-C to HDMI)

Mac

Processor Apple Silicon (M1) or Intel i5
Please note that Apple Silicon processors do not currently support running Windows alongside the macOS Operating System macOS 12 – Monterey (macOS 11 – Big Sur is acceptable) Software Microsoft Office (See below for info on Office 365) Memory 8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB recommended Hard Drive 256GB Solid State Drive or better Webcam All current Mac laptops and iMacs include a webcam, an external webcam is required for other models HDMI To use projection systems on campus, a USB-C to HDMI adapter is needed

Office 365

Office 365 is a subscription-based service offered by Microsoft that provides file storage and Office capabilities across multiple computers and devices. This includes common Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as, many other applications. You can access Office 365 on most devices through a web browser, you can use the Microsoft Office apps on your mobile device, or you can download a copy of the most recent version of Microsoft Office using one of five free licenses for desktop/laptop computers.

Available to: Current students, faculty, and staff
https://www.uwec.edu/kb/article/office-365-downloading-office-365-software/

Preparation for UWEC

It's never too early to get started. Here are some classes we recommend taking in high school to best prepare you for a career in nursing: 

• 4 units of English
• 1-2 units of chemistry
• 1 unit of physics
• 1-2 units of biology
• 2 units of Spanish, French, German, or other language
• 2 units of algebra,
• 1 unit of geometry
• 1-2 units of history
• 3 units of social studies
• 1 unit of speech

Sample First-Year Course Work at UWEC

If you're wondering what a typical first-year class load looks like for a nursing student at UW-Eau Claire, you can find that here. 

Fall Semester

• 4-5 Credits - Chem 103, General Chemistry or Chem 105 and Chem 106
• 5 Credit - Writ 116, Critical Reading & Writing
• 3 Credit - Psyc 100, General Psychology
• 3-4 Credit - Communication/Language or Humanities course

Spring Semester

• 3 Credit - Chem 150, Biochemistry
• 4 Credit - Biol 214, Anatomy and Physiology I
• 3 Credit - Psyc 230, Human Development
• 3-4 Credit - Communication/Language course
• 1-3 Credit - Humanities course or Elective

Undergraduate Program Plans 

Undergraduate program plans have been developed for the Eau Claire campus and for three campuses in the Marshfield area. You can attend your first two years in Eau Claire, or at the Marshfield area campuses below, and then years three and four at the UWEC Marshfield campus directly connected to the Marshfield Medical Center.

The program plans are developed for full-time study; however, part-time program plans can also be developed.

UW-Eau Claire at Eau Claire Campus Sample Program Plan (.pdf)
UW-Stevens Point at Marshfield Sample Program Plan (.pdf)
UW-Stevens Point at Wausau Sample Program Plan (.pdf)
UW-Stevens Point Sample Program Plan (.pdf)

Application Process

If you are interested in applying to the BSN Program at UW-Eau Claire please review the steps involved in the application process below.

Step 1: Apply to the University

Current UWEC students can skip to Step 2

Note: a valid UWEC ID and email address will be issued upon acceptance to the University when appropriate fees are paid. A UWEC ID and email are required to complete the nursing application.

Click here to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Step 2: Prerequisites Coursework and Testing

Review the Admission Requirements (see above)

If you have any questions please contact Marcia St. Germaine (Eau Claire campus) or Dr. Rachel Merkel (Marshfield campus)

Step 3: Apply to the Nursing Program

Part A: Obtain Nursing Application materials

• Each semester UW-Eau Claire Pre-Nursing students are sent an email inviting them to attend an application meeting (usually held in March and October). Applications are distributed at this meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting due to work or class conflict please email Melissa Gullickson the day after the application meeting and request application materials.
• Transfer students may request application materials be sent to them via U.S. Postal Services by emailing your name and address to Marcia St. Germaine (Eau Claire campus) or Dr. Rachel Merkel (Marshfield campus).

Part B: Written Application

• Application form
• Please complete all sections of the written application form for submission by the appropriate deadline date
• Supporting documentation should be attached to this application
• Deadlines: May 1 for the spring semester, December 1 for the fall semester

Submit the written portion either by U.S. Mail or personally deliver to:
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Attention: Melissa Gullickson
Pre-Licensure Nursing Advising Center
Nursing Building- Room 127

Post-Admission Documents and Helpful Information 

Student Release Form for Background Information and Health Record (.docx) 
Health and Clinical Record Guidelines (.docx)
Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook (.pdf)
BSN Frequently Asked Questions (.pdf)
BSN Eau Claire Site Fact Sheet (.pdf)
BSN Eau Claire Site Sample Program Plan and General Information (.pdf) 
BSN Marshfield Site Fact Sheet (.pdf)
BSN Marshfield Site General Information (.pdf)