Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student’s previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Some courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Courses must be part of a program to be eligible. A list of courses not eligible is located on Commons (Pay for College/Financial Aid). To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Parenting

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Pre-Program Information

Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, admission requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Program Health Advisement page.

Criminal Background Check

This is an admission requirement. Prior to admission to the Nursing Program, prospective students with a criminal history should contact their Student Success Specialist to discuss if their clinical placement may be impacted. It is important to recognize that a student's criminal history may result in that student being denied clinical placement. This denial will result in the student's inability to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks will be required annually during the student's enrollment.

Courses Available to Pre-Program Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-program students complete these courses while waiting to enroll in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-program students will NOT be able to finish the program early; program core courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typically taken by pre-program students:

• 543-300 Nursing Assistant*
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology (high school or college chemistry with a "C" or better or 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry is a prerequisite)*
• 806-179 Advanced Anatomy & Physiology (806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology is a prerequisite)*
• 801-136 English Composition 1 or 801-219 English Composition 1
• 809-198 Intro to Psychology or 809-199 Psychology of Human Relations or 809-251 General Psychology
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 801-198 Speech
• 806-197 Microbiology (806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology is a prerequisite)
• 809-188 Developmental Psychology (taking Intro to Psychology first is recommended)
• 809-172 Intro to Diversity Studies or 809-196 Intro to Sociology
• 5 credits of electives (work with an academic advisor for suggested courses)

*These courses are admission requirements. If these courses are not met, students may take those courses at CVTC.

Additional courses recommended, but not required for this program include:

• 501-101 Medical Terminology

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Program Information

Technology Requirements

All core program Nursing students in their first semester will receive an iPad with a case, keyboard and charger for use throughout the program. The iPad is provided by CVTC and the cost is built into the course fees and is eligible for financial aid.  Students are expected to have access to reliable Wi-Fi at home/off-campus. 

Pre-Entrance Health History and Physical Exam

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be completed and on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. Please see the Nursing Prep Seminar Course in Canvas for more information.

Program Prep Seminar

Students will be enrolled in a mandatory Nursing Program Seminar Prep Course in Canvas. Additionally, students may have an opportunity to attend a Nursing Open House before the beginning of the semester.

Uniforms and Equipment

Students will be required to purchase a pair of comfortable shoes (no canvas or mesh), a stethoscope, and a watch with a second hand to take vital signs. In addition, students will need to purchase two pairs of uniforms. The uniforms will have Chippewa Valley Technical College embroidered on the tops and will cost approximately $50. More information about ordering the uniforms will be shared during the Program Prep Seminar.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider or BLS for Healthcare Provider

Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider or BLS for Healthcare Provider certification through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Proof must be verified with a current CPR card or an electronic certificate. Class rosters and letters from instructors or employers are not acceptable. Core program students must provide proof of current certification three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. CVTC offers 531-454 CPR-BLS Provider; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars.

Academic Support

Students can also find specific Nursing Support here via study sessions lead by CVTC Nursing faculty.

Clinical Compliance

To be in compliance with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies. 

Nursing Progression Policy

A total of two unsuccessful attempts at the same course, or a total of three unsuccessful attempts (C-, D, F, W, or audit) throughout the nursing program will result in program dismissal. This applies to all core nursing courses on the program requirements sheet. Program courses taken online or at another technical college will be applied to the policy as well. If removed from the program, there will be a three-year sit out period before re-entry into the program. This policy has been adopted to assure both safe clinical practice and success on licensure exams. Please see the Nursing Handbook for further details on grading standards and progression policy.

Students taking courses at another Wisconsin Technical College

Students must be in good academic standing and enrolled in a nursing program to take a nursing course. Authorization from the program director will be required to take a nursing course at another technical college. Students who take theory courses online through another Wisconsin Technical College must provide an official transcript, verifying coursework has been completed with a grade of "C" or better to the CVTC Admissions Office. Unsuccessful completion of a nursing course at any college may adversely affect the ability to progress in the program.

LPN Option

Students who have successfully completed the first year of the Associate Degree Nursing program (generals and core courses) will have the option to graduate as a Practical Nurse, take the NCLEX-PN exam, and work as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Please meet with the academic advisor with questions on this option.

Licensure

Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. If approved by the State Board of Nursing and successful on the licensure examination, graduates may then be employed as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Last Updated: 2023-06-20T18:39:02Z