At a glance

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.

Major

  • Nursing

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Major in Nursing at Carthage

The nursing major at Carthage comprehensively prepares students as entry-level nursing generalists.

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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).

Direct-Entry Admission

Nursing major students work with a human simulator mannequin. 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.

See state licensing information

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.jpg" alt="James Castro ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2286,3200/39152_N24-James_Castro.rev.1708014024.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2286" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </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>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <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"/> </picture> </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>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.jpg" alt="Benjamin Gabbey ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,600,800/39151_Gabbey.rev.1708013986.jpg 3x" data-max-w="600" data-max-h="800" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </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 have never felt as welcomed or accepted as I have here.”</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>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,718,950/36536_Michelle-Gorney-25.rev.1670859649.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,718,950/36536_Michelle-Gorney-25.rev.1670859649.webp 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.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" 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"/> <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"/> </picture> </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>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,7,300,308/38733_10723_163701665847155.rev.1698894701.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,7,300,308/38733_10723_163701665847155.rev.1698894701.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,7,300,308/38733_10723_163701665847155.rev.1698894701.jpg" alt="Devon Kuhn" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="301" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </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 Nursing Program and the faculty-to-student ratio.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2560-devon-kuhn">Devon Kuhn</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.jpg" alt="Anissa Acevedo" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1240,2202/38874_10975_163701665847155.rev.1701654520.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1240" data-max-h="2202" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </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> “People should consider nursing because it is a gratifying career. As a nurse, every day will always be different. You’ll treat patients with unique health situations and at varying stages of life. There are also so many different things that you can do that fit your personality.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2577-anissa-acevedo">Anissa Acevedo</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,102,1326,1428/37359_7122_163701665847155.rev.1679616621.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" 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"/> <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"/> </picture> </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> “My favorite memory has just been meeting some of my best friends here on campus through being a nursing student and a resident assistant. Having so much love and support through my college years has been my absolute favorite memory.”</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>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/93/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,30,300,330/36869_6206_163701665847155.rev.1676297924.webp 1x"/> <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"/> </picture> </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 the nursing major if they’re really passionate about providing care to people on a physical, mental, and emotional level.”</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>

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
  • Hospice Alliance
  • Hospitality House Crossroads Care Center
  • Kenosha Fire Department
  • Kenosha Visiting Nurses Association
  • Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
  • Racine Unified School District
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago)
  • Veterans’ Administration Hospital of Milwaukee

More about the clinical experience


Beyond Borders

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.

More student opportunities

Nursing Program Traditions

A group photo of the Carthage Wisconsin Nursing Program Class of 2024 at the 2022 White Coat Cere... 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.

Meet our nursing faculty

 

Nursing Major Scholarships Available

Students majoring in nursing work with a baby human simulator mannequin. 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.

Learn more and apply!