Nursing

students in nursing class

WSU-Rochester on Broadway, Suite 204
507.535.2580, Fax: 507.535.2531
Nursing website
Helene Spencer, Chairperson, (507.535.2574)

Faculty

Ashley Busch, Associate Professor; BS, University of Iowa; DNP, University of Minnesota; 2018 -
Sarah Carpenter, Assistant Professor; BS, Winona State University; DNP, University of Minnesota; 2024 -
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 -
Imtithal Kisirwan, Assistant Professor; BS, MS, American University of Beirut; DNP, Vanderbilt University; 2022 -
Kimberly Langer, Professor; BS, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; BSN, Drexel University; MS, University of Pennsylvania; DNP, Winona State University; 2013 -
Sandra Paddock, Professor; AD, Inver Hills Community College; BSN, MSN, 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, Professor; ADN, Century Community & Technical College; BSN, MBA/MSN, University of Phoenix; DNP, Winona State University; 2014 -
Amy Reitmaier, Professor; BS, MS, Winona State University; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2006 -
April Rowe Neal, Assistant Professor; BSN, Luther College; MSN, University of Minnesota; PhD, Capella University; 2022 -
Lori Rhudy, Associate Professor; BSN, Winona State University; MSN, University of Wisconsin-Madison; PhD, Loyola University Chicago; 2021 -
Marilynn Helene Spencer, Assistant Professor; BA, Grove City College; BSN, Eastern Kentucky University; DNP, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; 2021 -
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 -
Mieca Valen, Professor; BA, Augustana College; MSN, South Dakota State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2005 -
Alexandro Vasquez, Assistant Professor; BS, University of Texas Medical Branch; MS, University of California; DNP, Brandman University; 2022 -
Heather Voigt, Assistant Professor; BS, Minnesota State University, Mankato; MS, Graceland University; DNP, Winona State University; 2024 -

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

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply to the School of Graduate Studies and the Department of Graduate Nursing.

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
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
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year of 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

*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 .

Programs

Graduate Certificate

Master of Science (MS)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)