The Nursing Program at Carthage features a curriculum designed to incorporate best practices in the education of professional nurses. We are dedicated to providing socially responsible and responsive nurse education that is rooted in compassion. The liberal arts courses at Carthage provide a foundation that supports critical thinking abilities, communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and a love of learning across all our programs, including nursing.
Grounded in the liberal arts, humanities, and sciences, the program facilitates students’ understanding of clinical reasoning processes, how to apply those processes to concepts important in delivering nursing care, and how to address healthcare needs across the lifespan and continuum of care to improve healthcare outcomes.
Students graduate as competent entry-level clinicians, scholars, and leaders in nursing and are prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Freshman Direct-Entry Admission
Carthage’s Freshman Direct-Entry admission option is a unique opportunity for students pursuing a nursing career. High school seniors who meet specific, pre-established criteria are guaranteed admission into Carthage’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Why Freshman Direct-Entry at Carthage? You don’t have to wait two years to see if you’re accepted into the nursing program. As a direct-entry student, you will be part of the nursing major on your first day on campus!
You won’t have to apply in your sophomore year to apply.
You will receive support and guidance right away from the nursing faculty.
You will be goal-oriented and focused on advancing your nursing career beyond your BSN degree.
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image">
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.JPG" alt="Abigail Wetzel" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.JPG 3x" data-max-w="1326" data-max-h="1326" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because of the incredible faculty within the nursing program and the small class sizes. You can tell that the nursing faculty want to get to know you, and you can create that professional relationship with them that will help you with internship and jobs in the future. Carthage Nursing has many opportunities to grow as a student and future healthcare staff member through our clinicals and internships.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2345-abigail-wetzel">Abigail Wetzel</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,337,1201,1539/37392_7238_163701665847155.rev.1679939226.jpg" alt="James Castro" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,337,1201,1539/37392_7238_163701665847155.rev.1679939226.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,337,1201,1539/37392_7238_163701665847155.rev.1679939226.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1201" data-max-h="1202" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose nursing over anything else because it truly is the most rewarding career! It can be a lot of hard work and stress, but the outcomes and words that patients give you can really make your day.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2352-james-castro">James Castro</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.webp 3x"/>
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.jpg 3x"/>
<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.jpg" alt="Annalisa Bucaro" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2048,2048/36642_5580_163701665847155.rev.1673567056.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2048" data-max-h="2048" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I think that other students should consider nursing. It is a lot of work, but it is a high-demand field, and there will always be jobs. It is a very rewarding field if you are passionate about caring for others.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2251-annalisa-bucaro">Annalisa Bucaro</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<source type="image/png" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,30,300,330/36869_6206_163701665847155.rev.1676297924.png 1x"/>
<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,30,300,330/36869_6206_163701665847155.rev.1676297924.png" alt="Joseph White" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Other students should consider my major if they’re really passionate about providing care to people on a physical, mental, and emotional level. Nurses have the ability to impact the lives of individuals during their most vulnerable circumstances. It is an incredible feeling to provide comfort and support to others when they need it most.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2278-joseph-white">Joseph White</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.webp 3x"/>
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.jpg 3x"/>
<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.jpg" alt="Kyle Williamson ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2133,3200/35392_Kyle_Williamson_24.rev.1663961960.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The Carthage nursing faculty taught me the importance of believing in my ability to impact the lives of others — not only physically, but mentally.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2066-kyle-williamson">Kyle Williamson</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,364,2286,2649/37055_6745_163701665847155.rev.1678047427.JPG" alt="Olivia Lawlor" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,364,2286,2649/37055_6745_163701665847155.rev.1678047427.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,364,2286,2649/37055_6745_163701665847155.rev.1678047427.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2286" data-max-h="2285" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The faculty helped me tremendously. Their office doors were always open for any questions you might have or even just to chat and hang out. They give you so many resources to make the tough content easier to comprehend.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2289-olivia-lawlor">Olivia Lawlor</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,352,1536,1888/36440_4955_163701665847155.rev.1669745401.jpg" alt="Benjamin Gabbey" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,352,1536,1888/36440_4955_163701665847155.rev.1669745401.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,352,1536,1888/36440_4955_163701665847155.rev.1669745401.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1536" data-max-h="1536" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Nursing allows me to give care and compassion to those in need during some of the most desperate times of their lives.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2207-benjamin-gabbey">Benjamin Gabbey</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,96,512,608/37069_unnamed_59.rev.1678140862.jpg" alt="Tanner Mickiewicz" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,96,512,608/37069_unnamed_59.rev.1678140862.jpg 2x" data-max-w="512" data-max-h="512" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Everyone should consider nursing because, in my opinion, it’s one of the most rewarding fields. You are able to directly impact patients’ and family lives through your care and you can be the person to provide them with hope.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2287-tanner-mickiewicz">Tanner Mickiewicz</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,718,950/36536_Michelle-Gorney-25.rev.1670859649.jpg" alt="Michelle Gorney ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,718,950/36536_Michelle-Gorney-25.rev.1670859649.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,718,950/36536_Michelle-Gorney-25.rev.1670859649.jpg 3x" data-max-w="718" data-max-h="950" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I love how the faculty are so easy to reach out to. I love how close people are here with one another. And I love the atmosphere in general.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2204-michelle-gorney">Michelle Gorney</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,492,2400,2892/37054_6744_163701665847155.rev.1678046702.JPG" alt="Catherine Casanovas" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,492,2400,2892/37054_6744_163701665847155.rev.1678046702.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,492,2400,2892/37054_6744_163701665847155.rev.1678046702.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I choose Carthage because of all the academic and athletic opportunities that they have to offer. The nursing program has great professors that support their student’s learning and share their passion for nursing. I am also able to be a student-athlete which has helped me make so many great connections here on campus and in the community.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2288-catherine-casanovas">Catherine Casanovas</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
Opportunities for Nursing Majors
Clinical Experience
From their first weeks at Carthage, students will be challenged to apply what they learn to patient care situations. During the sophomore year, students will begin clinical work, caring for patients in many different settings — hospitals, homes, schools, and the community. Carthage students graduate with three full years of clinical experience on their resumes.
Carthage works with more than 50+ clinical partners and offers three years of clinical experience to nursing students. Clinical partners include:
Advocate Aurora Health
Ascension Health System
Brookside Care Center
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Froedtert South / Froedert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
Because so much of human behavior is determined by culture, nurses must strive to understand their clients, families, and communities within the context of culture. At Carthage, nursing majors will have the opportunity to study abroad, experience other cultures first-hand, and learn more about medical care in other countries.
Opportunities include participating in Carthage’s medical mission trip to Nicaragua or Honduras, where students volunteer in medical clinics.
The Nursing program at Carthage is new, but we are already creating our own traditions. Each year, we hold a White Coat Ceremony for junior students. This ceremony formally admits students to their clinical education and emphasizes their commitment to providing compassionate and excellent nursing care.
As senior students near graduation time, we hold an Honors and Pinning Ceremony. This ceremony recognizes individual student excellence in academic and clinical endeavors, as well as excellence in teaching among the faculty. The faculty then bestow upon the students the Carthage Nursing Pin, a symbol of their successful completion of the program and admission to the nursing profession as colleagues.
Not Just Professors — Mentors
Carthage nursing faculty pride themselves on being mentors, facilitators, and role models of excellence. The faculty strive to create learning environments and opportunities that will prepare students for the realities of professional practice while providing compassionate nursing education.
Carthage is now offering a full-tuition Nursing Scholarship that will be awarded to one incoming student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This scholarship will be awarded to a promising student who exhibits a desire for excellence in the field and compassionate, quality patient care. Carthage awards more than $2 million each year in its various scholarship competitions.
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