Associate Degree in Nursing

Nursing is a high-demand program at Gateway Technical College. Please be aware that in-district students have first priority and that there is a petitioning process to obtain a seat for program classes and clinical placements. See your program advisor for further details.

There is a growing need for healthcare services and you can make a difference by preparing for a career that changes lives and helps others in need.

Registered nurses (RNs) record patients' medical histories and symptoms as well as help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results. They also operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. Some nurses may work to promote general health by educating the public on warning signs and symptoms of a disease. RNs may also run general health screenings or immunization clinics, blood drives and public seminars on various conditions.

Gateway Technical College’s Nursing associate degree program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing and includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical experiences in local hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The degree program is offered at the Kenosha and Burlington Campuses but students can also take classes online. Courses include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences.

Learning By Doing

Nursing students begin their clinical practicum in the first semester in the program and continue until the last semester. Supervised clinical experiences are provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery, but can also occur in nursing care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics.

Students also receive hands-on training using the Human Patient Simulator which helps students practice technical skills by simulating real-life emergencies in a controlled lab setting. The simulators look and act like an actual real-life patient providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, technical ability, and critical thinking skills. Community health fairs and other service learning efforts help the student gain further real-world experience and put the skills students have learned in the classroom into practice.

Nursing students also have the opportunity to learn as part of Gateway’s study abroad program. In the past, they have traveled to other countries to provide health care services to communities in need. Gateway’s Student Nurse Association and Nurse’s Christian Fellowship are two student organizations students can join. These groups provide students with opportunities for networking and professional development. Students are also encouraged to join one of the several organizations available for career advancement and professional development. These organizations and career resource include:

• American Nursing Association, A.N.A.
• Nursing Career Resources
• Department of Safety and Professional Services (access to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and Licensure Applications)
• National Association of Black Nurses
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses
• Nurse Practice Act
• National Student Nurse Association
• Wisconsin Nurses Association

Graduation Requirements

1. Minimum 65 credits with an average of 2.0 or above.
2. *Average of 2.0 (“C”) or above for these major courses.
3. § Must be completed to be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam.

Gateway credits may transfer to colleges and universities offering adv. nurse ed. programs.

For a complete list of Graduation Requirements, check the Student Handbook.

Program Offerings