Nurses with an associate degree can transfer up to 90 credits to Lakeland University. Unlike some other programs, Lakeland will accept up to 90 credits of coursework taken through Wisconsin Technical Colleges. RNs with coursework from accredited four-year colleges will be able to transfer credits as well, cutting down the time to finish a bachelor's degree.
If you are enrolled in an associate degree nursing program and wish to get a jump start on your BSN, contact us to hear about our tuition-free course and 10% tuition discount offer. For nurses who earned an associate degree in nursing within the last three terms, you remain eligible for the tuition-free course and a minimum of 10% tuition discount.
As the healthcare industry moves to hire registered nurses with four-year degrees, Lakeland University's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is offered in our BlendEd format, including a 100% online option. Lakeland's program features a curriculum geared toward career advancement and positions nurses for supervisory and other leadership roles.
By successfully completing the Lakeland BSN degree, you may be:
The RN to BSN completion program is offered at each of our seven centers located throughout the state of Wisconsin. Students who are ADN-level nurses can complete the BSN entirely online through Lakeland's flexible delivery formats (i.e. BlendEd and BlendEd Live) – which allows you to decide week to week how to access class content, based on what is convenient for you. Lakeland's flexible delivery formats allow you to maintain a healthy school/life/family balance.
Lakeland University nursing faculty believe that the art and science of nursing is founded in the liberal arts and sciences. Nursing education transforms the knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences into the basis of nursing practice. This foundation, when integrated with evidence based research and practice, provides the root of professional practice.
Professional nursing practice includes an awareness of ethical standards, ability to critically think, participate in lifelong experiential learning, and development of interprofessional relationships. The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education in Nursing (2008) are the basic foundation to the curriculum for the RN to BSN Completion Program, and thus essential for the practice of professional nursing. This education provides the foundation for the development of professional nursing practice, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership skills, and the independent and interprofessional pursuit of high standards of health care.
The graduate of Lakeland University's RN to BSN Completion Program will integrate evidence based research to practice in the provision of patient-centered, culturally competent, and community/population based care. Through experience as an active member of the healthcare community, the graduate will collaborate with interprofessional teams to achieve positive patient outcomes and develop professional skills that contribute to advanced professional competence and leadership. As an active participant in the learning environment the graduate will develop an understanding of healthcare organizations/systems and the processes of healthcare policy development. As a user of patient care technology and informatics the graduate will use information technology in experiences that apply quality improvement principles in the delivery of safe, quality care.
The mission of the Lakeland University RN to BSN Completion Program builds on the university's mission in its dedication to educate registered nurses by building on prior knowledge, skills, and experiences to advance the art and science of nursing. The goal of the baccalaureate graduate is to grow personally, advance with increasing competence professionally, and carry on the lifelong learning process that is important for optimal development as a practitioner in the discipline of nursing.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Lakeland University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://ccneaccreditation.org/). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
