Winona State University is a premier public four-year institution with a long-standing reputation for excellence in healthcare education. The Department of Undergraduate Nursing provides multiple pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), including a traditional pre-licensure program offered at both the Winona and Rochester campuses and a fully online, asynchronous RN-to-BSN completion track. The traditional program typically spans four professional semesters following the completion of 45 prerequisite credit hours, totaling 120 credits for graduation.
Students at WSU benefit from an immersive curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with intensive practical training. The program requires nearly 550 clinical hours, starting as early as the first semester of the nursing major. These rotations take place through esteemed partnerships in Winona, Rochester, and La Crosse, including a 120-hour immersion experience where students work one-on-one with a registered nurse. Core competencies focus on person-centered care, clinical judgment, and informatics, utilizing state-of-the-art simulation labs to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic.
The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, with graduates frequently exceeding both state and national pass rate averages. Beyond licensure, graduates are eligible for Public Health Nurse certification in Minnesota. Compared to other regional programs, Winona State is highly regarded for its "Direct Admission" pathway for high-achieving freshmen and its status as a top-ranked online provider for working professionals.
Do you manage this facility? Claim your profile now to suggest edits to this page.
Manage your clinical education on Nursa
Programs
A BSN is a 4-year university RN degree, widely preferred by employers and required for many advanced roles, whose graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.
An MSN is a 2–3 year graduate degree that prepares RNs for advanced practice, leadership, and specialized roles such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator.
A DNP is the highest clinical nursing degree, taking 2–4 years, preparing nurses for advanced practice, executive leadership, and policy roles—distinct from the research-focused PhD.
A post-graduate APRN certificate is a 12–24 month credential that lets MSN-prepared nurses add or change an advanced practice specialty without earning a second degree.
Address
Manage your clinical education
Find Similar Schools
The White River Junction VA Medical Center is a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in White River Junction, Vermont, serving veterans across Vermont and New Hampshire. It provides inpatient, surgical, outpatient, and mental health care, with academic ties to Dartmouth and a network of clinics covering a rural region.
The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving veterans across southeastern Florida. It provides inpatient, surgical, outpatient, mental health, and extended care, with community-based clinics extending access from Palm Beach County through the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee region.
The VA Western New York Healthcare System is a Department of Veterans Affairs network based in Buffalo, New York, serving veterans across western New York. It operates campuses in Buffalo and Batavia, providing inpatient, surgical, outpatient, mental health, and extended care with academic ties to the University at Buffalo.
Stephens College is a private women's college in Columbia, Missouri, founded in 1833 and among the oldest women's colleges in the country. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs including health sciences, with graduate study open to men, on a campus near the University of Missouri.
Pick Up a Job Today
Find per diem PRN job opportunities in your area. High paying CNA, LPN and RN and many more licences are available now.
Join NursaTrack Your Clinical Placements
Nursa Study helps nursing schools, students, and clinical sites easily coordinate clinical placements.
Learn More