Nursing

WSU-Rochester on Broadway, Suite 204
507.535.2580, Fax: 507.535.2578
Nursing website
Sonja J. Meiers, Chairperson, (507.535.2582)

Faculty

Dawn Van Ruler Bos, Assistant Professor; BA, University of Minnesota; BSN, Creighton University; MS, PhD, South Dakota State University; 2017 -
Michelle Brodin, Adjunct Faculty; BS, PharmD, South Dakota State University; 2018 -
Ashley Busch, Assistant Professor; BS, University of Iowa; DNP, University of Minnesota; 2018 -
Susan Davies, Professor; BSc, University of Southhampton (UK); MSc, University of Surrey (UK); PhD, University of Sheffield (UK); 2009 -
Kim Dowat, Assistant Professor; BSN, University of Missouri-Columbia; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2015 -
Scott T. Faust, Adjunct Faculty; BSN, University of Texas-Arlington; MS, Loyola University, Chicago; 2018 -
Diane M. Forsyth, Professor; BS, Winona State University; MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2004 -
Amy E. Harter, Assistant Professor; BS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 2017 -
Carole E. Jenson, Professor; BS, MS, DNP, Winona State University; 2009 -
Kimberly Langer, Associate Professor; BS, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; BSN, Drexel University; MS, University of Pennsylvania; DNP, Winona State University; 2013 -
Ann Loth, Assistant Professor; BSN, University of Minnesota; MS, Winona State University; DNP, Augsburg College; 2018 -
Sonja J. Meiers, Professor; BSN, College of St. Teresa; MS, Winona State University; PhD, University of Minnesota; 2009 -
Sandra Paddock, Professor; AD, Inver Hills Community College; BSN, MSN, FNP (Post Graduate Certificate), Winona State University; DNP, St. Catherine University; 2015 -
Julie Ponto, Professor; BSN, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; MS-ONC, University California-San Francisco; PhD, University of Utah; 2004 -
Jenny Prochnow, Associate Professor; ADN, Century Community & Technical College; BSN, MBA/MSN, University of Phoenix; DNP, Winona State University; 2014 -
Elizabeth Schossow, Adjunct Faculty; BSN, College of St. Scholastica; MS, Allen College; 2017 -
Amy Smith, Assistant Professor; BS, South Dakota State University; MS, Walden University; PhD, University of Nevada; 2020 -
David Steele, Assistant Professor; BSN, MSN, Metropolitan State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2017 -
Jennifer Timm, Associate Professor; BSN, MS, DNP, Winona State University; 2014 -
Mieca Valen, Professor; BA, Augustana College; MSN, South Dakota State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2005 -
K. Wintheiser, Assistant Professor; BS, Winona State University; MS, University of Minnesota; DNP, Graceland University; 2018 -

Accreditation

Winona State University is accredited for Graduate Programs by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Master’s programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, and post-graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certificate programs in Nursing at Winona State University are accredited by:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.887.6791

Location

Classes within the Department of Graduate Nursing are offered by a combination of delivery methods. Flexible online delivery methods, online and on-campus seminars, and immersive simulations are used across programs. On-campus activities are offered primarily on the Rochester campuses. View a map of the Winona State University-Rochester campus.

Degrees & Programs

Graduate Certificate
Master of Science
Doctor of Nursing Practice

View the full list of Department of Graduate Nursing programs.

Description of Programs

The master’s programs are designed so that each student will be able to*:

Employ evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations
Integrate nursing theory, research, ethics and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and health care systems
Demonstrate professionalism within an advanced nursing role
Demonstrate leadership with inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues
Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations

* Approved March 2011 and implemented August 2011.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are designed so that each student will be able to**:

Appraise evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations.
Interpret nursing theory, research, ethics, and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and health care systems
Assert professionalism within an advanced nursing role.
Design leadership strategies for effective inter-professional teams.
Synthesize knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations.
Justify advanced levels of clinical judgement and systems thinking to improve outcomes for individuals, systems and populations.

** Approved 10/28/2019 and implemented August 2020.

Clinical Experiences

Faculty and graduate students in collaboration with the Clinical Placement Coordinator select preceptors in healthcare settings and areas of nursing to meet the students’ individual learning needs. Student experiences commonly occur in hospitals and clinics affiliated with the Mayo Clinic/Mayo Clinic Health System, North Iowa Mercy Health Center/System in Mason City; Gundersen Health System, and Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse; several Minneapolis/St. Paul facilities such as Fairview Health Services, Health Partners, and Allina Health, and other hospitals, clinics, county public health agencies, senior citizen centers, schools of nursing, community settings, and health care agencies across a three-state area provide clinical experiences.

Admission Requirements

Nursing Masters and BSN-DNP Program Admission Criteria:

Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing
Undergraduate coursework in physical assessment
Undergraduate courses in nursing research and statistics required
Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official transcript from each institution attended)
Applicants with GPA less than 3.0, but are otherwise competitive in the applicant pool, will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis*
Applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience in functional master’s level role (recommended)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year critical care experiences strongly preferred (e.g. ICU, ER, ICU/CUU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses
Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure typically required for all clinical courses. Other state license may also be required for clinical experiences in those states, according to state statute
Applicants submit three (3) references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for nursing masters/doctoral study. At least one professional reference from a professional who occupies the student’s chosen advanced practice nursing role (e.g. nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse administrator/leader); one professional reference; and one academic or professional reference
Statement of professional goals
Clinical paperwork including a background check required after admission (clinical requirement, fees assessed)
Applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing may be required to have a personal interview with program faculty
Graduate Programs in Nursing tuition rates apply
BSN-DNP applicants only:
- Professional resume
- Applicants are asked to provide a clinical practice question they are most interested in studying in their clinical scholarship courses. Applicants should provide background for why this clinical question is important for clinical nurse scholars to answer and the question should be formatted in the PICO or PICOT style. In addition, the applicant may provide ideas for the most appropriate clinical setting within which this question can be answered.**

*Provisional Admittance - Provisional admittance may be granted to applicants who have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0, but are otherwise competitive in the applicant pool. Students accepted provisionally must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA for their first 12 semester credits, during which time they must take at least one of the following courses: NURS 600 - Scientific and Ethical Foundations , NURS 606 - Nursing Information Management & Decision Making , or STAT 601 - Statistical Methods for Health Care Research .

**A recommended resource book for those considering the DNP is: The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Guidebook for Role Development and Professional Issues by Lisa Astalos Chism (2015). It offers a background for why the DNP is important for practice; differences between the DNP and PhD; expectations for possible coursework in a DNP program; and hints for transitioning into one’s role with a DNP degree. It may answer questions for anyone pondering a DNP program. (Jones and Bartlett Publishers; ISBN# 978-1284066258).

Nursing Graduate Certificate Program Admission Criteria:

Graduate degree from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing
Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs; Ability to meet minimum computer hardware and software for accessing coursework
Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official transcript from each institution attended)
Applicants with GPA less than 3.0, but are otherwise competitive in the applicant pool, will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis*
Applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum of one year clinical nursing experience one year clinical nursing experience in functional master’s level role (recommended)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year critical care experience strongly preferred (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CUU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses
Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure typically required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states according to state statute
Applicants submit three (3) references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for nursing masters/doctoral study. At least one professional reference from a professional who occupies the student’s chosen advanced practice nursing role (e.g., nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse administrator/leader); one professional reference; and one academic or professional reference
Statement of professional goals
Clinical paperwork including a background check required after admission (clinical requirement, fees assessed)
Applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing may be required to have a personal interview with program faculty
Applicants for Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS), Nurse Educator (NE); and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) programs must have evidence of completion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment (60 hours faculty supervised and includes diagnostic reasoning), advanced health promotion and advanced pharmacology (within last three years required in some states for credentialing)
Any applicant seeking to change or add a different population focus, who has graduated from an accredited MS-NP program and in active practice, will be presumed to have met all post MS certificate prerequisites (advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, advanced health promotion, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology)
Graduate Programs in Nursing tuition rates apply
Admission may be conditional based upon Minnesota State Board of Nursing and Department of Education Higher Education regulations

Post-Master’s DNP Program Admission Criteria:

Master’s degree from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing
Master’s coursework in organizational and systems leadership and nursing information management and decision-making
Master’s courses in nursing research and statistics required
Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official transcript from each institution attended)
Applicants with GPA less than 3.0, but are otherwise competitive in the applicant pool, will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis*
Applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum one year clinical nursing experience in functional master’s level role (recommended)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year critical care experience strongly preferred (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CCU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
- ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses
Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure typically required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states according to state statute
Evidence of national certification as an APRN for NP and AGCNS applicants. Applicants for the NOL/PLI program must have completed a master’s in nursing with a focus in administration/ leadership
Applicants submit three (3) references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for doctoral study. At least one professional reference from a professional who occupies the student’s chosen advanced practice nursing role (e.g., nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator/leader); one professional reference; and one academic or professional reference
Professional resume
Statement of professional goals
Clinical paperwork including a background check required after admission (clinical requirement, fees assessed)
Applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Programs may be required to have a personal interview with Program faculty
Graduate Programs in Nursing tuition rates apply
Applicants are asked to provide clinical practice question that you are most interested in studying in your clinical scholarship courses. Applicants should provide background for why this clinical question is important for clinical nurse scholars to answer and be formatted in the PICO or PICOT style. In addition, the applicant may provide ideas for the most appropriate clinical setting within which this question can be answered.**
An evaluation of newly admitted student clinical hours will be conducted to determine whether the student meets the credit/clinical hours requirements for the program and whether additional credit/clinical hours are necessary to meet graduation requirements.

Application Information May Be Obtained From:

Department of Graduate Nursing Winona State University - Rochester 400 South Broadway, Suite 204 Rochester, MN 55904 (507.535.2580) or (800.366.5418)	or	School of Graduate Studies Winona State University PO Box 5838 Winona, MN 55987 (507.457.5038) or (800.342.5978 x5038)
Graduate Nursing website		Graduate Studies website
International students must also contact International Student & Scholar Services at 507.457.5303.

Progression

Academic Advising and Academic Policies

Advising

You will be assigned an academic advisor after admission into the program. It is your responsibility to contact your academic advisor during your first semester of coursework. The academic advisor is a member of the graduate nursing faculty. If you are a newly admitted student or a Graduate Special student, please contact the Department of Graduate Nursing Office for Academic Advising (507.535.2580).

Functions of the Academic Advisor:

Long range planning for the program of studies
Short range planning, independent study, defining clinical and academic needs, transfer of credit
Support or referral for special services, including financial aid
Awareness of honors, awards, or financial assistance
The academic advisor may be a member of the student’s thesis/scholarly inquiry paper/DNP project committee and may serve as major thesis/scholarly inquiry/DNP Project advisor

Students wishing to change academic advisors may do so by obtaining consent of the faculty member chosen and reporting the request to the Administrative Assistant of the Department of Graduate Nursing. Access to advisors may be limited in the summer months. Please plan accordingly.

Admission to Online Graduate Program Contract/Candidacy

Before completing 16 graduate credits (with a grade point of at least 3.0) and in consultation with your advisor, MS, GC and DNP students must complete an online Graduate Studies Program Contract (may also be referred as a Candidacy Form or Plan of Study). Any courses taken beyond 16 credits may not count toward degree requirements if they are not part of the approved plan of study. Students are responsible for initiating this procedure by meeting with their advisor.

Program contract must include:

All courses already completed (including transfer courses)
Those courses needed to complete requirements for the degree and the proposed semester they will be taken
Approval signatures from advisor and Department Chair

Any drop/add changes in the Plan of Study must be endorsed by the Academic Advisor, the Department Chair, and the Director of Graduate Studies. If a course is dropped or added, students must update their Program Contract form the semester before graduation with the School of Graduate Studies. The Program Contract must match WSU graduate transcript. If a student changes the semester/year the course is taken, the Program Contract does not need to be adjusted.

Intent to Return

WSU students who have not attended the University for one semester or more (summer excluded) are classified as returning students. Returning students must speak with their advisor and complete an Intent to Return form the semester before planning to return.

Admission Deferral Policy

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Department of Graduate Nursing does not allow accepted applicants to defer admission. Applicants who have accepted admission (via letter of intent) but do not enroll in courses the subsequent semester as planned, will be removed from the admitted students list. Admittance to the upcoming academic year is not automatically granted. Applicants who have been removed from the admitted student list must reapply in order to be considered for admission in the future.

Change of Program/Degree Focus

Change of Program Focus: When admitted to the Department of Graduate Nursing, students are admitted to a specific program. Students wanting to change programs, must complete a new application and be reviewed for admission to the new program by graduate nursing faculty. Students submitting a new application will be considered along with the pool of all applicants to the new program.

Change of Degree: Students currently admitted to one of the MS programs who would like to transition to the BSN-DNP program must use the following process:

Submit the following materials to the Department of Graduate Nursing office by October 1:
- Letter to Graduate Nursing Faculty requesting admission to DNP program
- Professional resume
- Revised goal statement including section H (clinical practice question)
- Complete the WSU Graduate Studies BSN-DNP Online Application for BSN-DNP
Applications will be reviewed by the graduate nursing faculty. An interview may be required.

Students should apply for transition to BSN-DNP program as early in their program as possible as early transition will facilitate the most efficient plan of study.

Graduate Nursing Committee Approval: 09/23/13

Grades

Please view the GPA and In Progress (IP) grades section of the Graduate Catalog for the grading method at Winona State University.

Grading Scale: 92-100 = A; 83-91 = B; 74-82 = C; 65-73 = D; < = F

No course will be counted toward the degree if the grade is below C, the student will not be allowed to progress to subsequent courses for which that course is a prerequisite until the course is repeated and completed with a minimum grade of C. Students who receive a D or F in a course are allowed to repeat the course once. Only one course can be repeated in this manner, and students are allowed to repeat a course only once during the academic program. If a student is required to repeat a course for academic reasons, a formal request to repeat the course and to continue the program must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. A grade of C or better must be obtained to remain in the program. Failure to do so results in dismissal from the program.

Graduate Nursing Committee Approval: 2/11/13

In Progress Grades: An In Progress (IP) is permitted by the instructor for special cases when circumstances prevent the student from completing course requirements by the end of the semester, although the student is passing the course in all other respects.

A grade of in progress (IP) may be granted at the discretion of the course instructor and by request of the student consistent with the institutional grade policy. Students must submit a request for a grade of in progress prior to the end of the respective course. The student may not progress into a subsequent course for which the course in which the student receives an IP grade is prerequisite. The student may not progress into a subsequent course until the lead instructor has submitted a satisfactory grade. In rare situations, a student might receive an IP grade for a clinical course due to delays resulting within the clinical environment. These situations will be negotiated between the student and their advisor. The student may register for subsequent courses and must complete the requirements for all courses within the semester. All IP grades for course work must be removed before a graduate degree is granted.

Completion of IP Courses Policy: Students unable to complete course work in a given semester may request an IP grade from the course faculty. Students are expected to negotiate a contract with the course faculty that allows for the expeditious completion of the IP grade. All incomplete requirements for the course must be completed and submitted to the course faculty no later than the fifth week of the semester before the IP grade converts to a failing grade. If incomplete requirements for the course are not completed and submitted by this deadline, the course grade will be recorded as a F.

Rationale: The purpose of this policy is to encourage timely student progression. The policy allows for remediation as necessary. Faculty will have time to adequately review, grade, and provide feedback to the students.

Graduate Nursing Committee Approval: 5/13/13

Registration

Students are expected to register each fall and spring semester unless a leave of absence has been approved by the advisor and the Chair of the Department of Graduate Nursing. Students who do not enroll in graduate nursing courses for one semester will be classified as Inactive.

Dropping Courses and Withdrawal: Dropping courses in the graduate programs is not encouraged since the progression will be delayed and the degree completion rate is affected. Degree completion rates are monitored and considered in degree progression rates and financial aid award calculations. If a student must drop a course, it is important that the student officially drops the course in the course registration system. Otherwise, the course will appear on the student transcript and students will be billed. Any course not officially dropped will be subject to institutional scholastic standards, and the student may receive an F for the course. Each class dropped after the fifth class day will result in a grade of withdrawal or W, which will appear on the student transcript. Please see WSU’s Academic Calendar for deadlines on dropping courses with refund.

Graduate Credit, Full-Time Status, Credit Overload

All degree requirements including credits to be earned or transferred, final examinations, thesis/scholarly inquiry paper or DNP project; and all other program requirements must be completed within seven years of initial graduate enrollment. Under exceptional extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a petition through their advisor and to the School of Graduate Studies requesting an extension of the time limitation.

Six credits or more per semester is considered full-time for financial aid purposes. No graduate student is permitted to enroll for more than 12 credits per academic semester or during summer session unless permission is received from the School of Graduate Studies.

To request permission to enroll in more than 12 credits, a Credit Overload Request form needs to be submitted. The request needs advisor and department approval before submitting to the School of Graduate Studies for approval.

Independent Study

NURS 685 - Individual Study in Nursing in Nursing provides an opportunity for students to work independently under the direction of an advisor. Often students will do a special project to enable them to register for a full load of credits. Students need to have permission from the faculty person who will be working with them before registration. The student also needs to develop a contract that includes learning objectives, plan for accomplishing learning objectives, and state criteria for the project’s evaluation. Individual Study may be repeated for a total of nine (9) credit hours. See the policy on arranged classes .

Audited Courses

The course audit procedure permits a student to attend classes but not receive credit. Courses pursued on an audit basis must be declared and processed prior to completing the student’s registration. Regular tuition charges apply. Students may not use audit credits to satisfy graduation, certification, or licensure requirements. See information on Academic Policies .

Credit by Portfolio

Portfolio Review Process for Course Substitution

Portfolio Purpose: The portfolio review process is available to all MS, DNP, and Graduate Certificate program students who believe that they can meet the learning objectives/competencies required of a specific nursing course within their program of study without taking and completing the course in the traditional manner. The portfolio is a mechanism used to validate the acquisition of knowledge and skills congruent with course expectations and student learning outcomes. The portfolio provides objective evidence that students have acquired the content and skills through prior learning and/or practice experiences. The decision to accept the documentation provided is based on determination of the equivalency of this prior knowledge and skills that the student would be expected to demonstrate at the completion of a specific course.

Graduation Requirements

A student is eligible for graduation upon:

Completion of required courses found on the officially approved Online Graduate Studies Program Contract
Completion of the thesis, scholarly inquiry paper (SIP), or DNP Project a minimum of two weeks before intended date of graduation
Oral Presentation of the thesis, SIP or DNP Project at least two weeks before intended date of graduation
Evidence that all college policies and general requirements of the University for graduation are met

The Application for Graduation form (MS or DNP degree) or Certificate Program Completion form (GC) must be submitted at least one semester prior to graduation. Students who graduate spring semester must participate in commencement exercises unless excused by the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences on presentation of proof that attendance at commencement will cause undue hardship.

Note: The Master of Science or DNP degree will not be posted on the WSU transcript until the Thesis/Scholarly Inquiry Paper Binding Certificate (master’s students) or evidence of successful completion of the Report of DNP Final Examination form (DNP students) has been received by the School of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Programs in Nursing Program Requirements

General requirements of the University
Successful completion of all required coursework required within the program in which the student is enrolled
Completed Thesis or Scholarly Inquiry Paper (SIP) for master’s program students
Completed DNP Project for doctoral program students

Graduate Special Students

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing and who wish to enroll in further undergraduate courses, graduate courses, or a combination of both but do not intend to pursue a Master’s or DNP degree may register as Graduate Special Students and take courses at the 600-level. Students who have completed a master’s degree in nursing and a graduate statistics course may register as Graduate Special Students and take courses at the 600 and 700-level.

Students may apply as a Graduate Special Student to the School of Graduate Studies. Students may take up to 12 credits as a Graduate Special student before acceptance into the program. Credits earned as a Graduate Special student can be applied toward graduation requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. Courses open to Graduate Special Students include:

Specialized Programs

RN to MS Professional Pathway

RN to Graduate Professional Pathway Program: Only students currently attending WSU’s RN to Baccalaureate program are eligible for this pathway. Students who are interested in the RN to Graduate Professional Pathway Program must first contact the WSU Undergraduate Nursing program at 507.285.7349 to determine eligibility. If eligible, the advisor in the Undergraduate Nursing program will provide guidance on application to the pathway. Additional information can be found on the RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway website.

Programs

Graduate Certificate

Master of Science (MS)

Post-Master’s DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)