Program Description

Nursing is the dynamic interpersonal, goal-directed process that seeks to promote optimal health within the context of individuals, family, community and society. The concept of caring, which is central to nursing, is communicated through both attitude and action. Nursing uses the nursing process, a problem solving approach, to provide holistic care to individuals, families and groups within the health care system. Nurses assess health and make clinical decisions to provide safe and effective nursing care according to standards of practice within the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks. Nursing practice is based on its own body of knowledge. Through collaboration with other health care professionals, nursing is responsive to the needs of the community across the health-illness continuum. Accreditation Information: The Nursing Associate Degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326; telephone 404.975.5000; https://www.acenursing.org.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$15,476
Tuition & Fees: $12,807
Books & Supplies: $2,669

Starting Salary

$45,003–$74,880
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

Take a Look Around

Explore our campuses to get an idea of what it’s like to be a student at NTC.

Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
50-60%
at Antigo
50-60%
at Medford
50-60%
at Phillips
50-60%
at Spencer
50-60%
at Wittenberg
20-30%
at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Communicate comprehensive information using multiple sources in nursing practice.
  • Integrate theoretical knowledge to support decision making.
  • Integrate the nursing process into client care across diverse populations.
  • Function as a healthcare team member to provide safe and effective care.
  • Integrate professional nursing identity reflecting integrity, responsibility, and nursing standards.

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Registered Nurse

Courses

The Nursing Associate Degree is a 69 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

College 101 1.00
Nursing Fundamentals 2.00
Nursing Skills 3.00
Nursing Pharmacology 2.00
Nursing Intro Clinical Practice 2.00
Gen Anatomy & Physiology 4.00
Developmental Psychology 3.00
Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00

Second Term

Nursing Health Alterations 3.00
Nursing Health Promotion 3.00
Nursing Clinical Care Across The Lifespan 2.00
Intro To Clinical Care Management 2.00
Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Adv Anatomy & Physiology 4.00

Third Term

Nursing Complex Health Alterations I 3.00
Mental Health & Community Concepts 2.00
Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice 3.00
Nursing Advanced Skills 1.00
Microbiology 4.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00

Fourth Term

Nursing Complex Health Alterations II 3.00
Nursing Management & Professional Concepts 2.00
Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice 3.00
Nursing Clinical Transition 2.00
Elective 3.00
Intro To Sociology 3.00
Microeconomics 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Accreditation

The associate degree nursing program at Northcentral Technical College located in Wausau, WI, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; telephone 404.975.5000; www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

NCLEX Pass Rate

The NCLEX is the licensure exam for Registered Nurse Candidates that measures entry level nursing practice. The Wisconsin State Board of Nursing reports that Northcentral Technical College graduates have a 99% first time pass rate for 2023.

Graduation Rate

31% of Nursing Associate Degree students who began the program during calendar year 2020 graduated within 2 academic years with their Associate Degree in Nursing.
 
74% of Nursing Associate Degree students who began the program during calendar year 2019 graduated within 3 academic years with their Associate Degree in Nursing.

Graduate Outcomes

100% of graduates responding to a 6-month Graduate Survey report being employed in nursing after graduating from the NTC Nursing program.

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Concurrent Enrollment BSN Pathways

We have unique partnerships with other colleges that allow you to enroll in classes at both colleges simultaneously. This gives you the opportunity to complete your four-year degree at NTC.

Traditional BSN Pathways

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

View BSN Pathways

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View All Transfer Guides

Cost of Attendance

2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semester Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
ExpensesStudent Living With Parents (Home)Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

Living Expenses (Housing & Food)$4,052$9,614
Books / Supplies$2,061$2,061
Transportation$2,007$2,007
Personal Expenses$2,245$2,245
Loan Fees$83$83
Professional Licensure / Certification$290†$290†
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance

In-State

$15,451

Out-of-State

$17,638

In-State

$21,013

Out-of-State

$23,200

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2023-2024 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

† NCLEX: $200 (incurred during the fourth semester for the traditional pathway), Registered Nurse (Wisconsin State Board of Nursing): $90 (incurred during the fourth semester for the traditional pathway).

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647

financialaid@ntc.edu

Additional Information

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Nursing Associate Degree Pathway

Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse looking to return to Nursing? NTC provides a pathway that allows LPNs to bridge their education and training into a Registered Nurse (RN) Associate Degree. After successful completion of the Return to Nursing course, students can begin third semester Nursing Associate Degree coursework.

Learn More

Paramedic to Nursing Associate Degree Pathway

This pathway is for a current EMT-Paramedic looking to transition into the Nursing field. NTC provides a path that allows you to utilize your Paramedic skills and experience to transition into the Nursing Associate Degree program, with both full-time and part-time options available.

Learn More

Licensure/Certification Information

NTC’s Nursing Associate Degree is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing criteria. However, NTC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure/certification requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the NTC program meets licensure or certification requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities

Collaboration of Wisconsin Rural Investment in Community Healthcare (COW RICH) Grant (for students graduating by Spring 2024)

Additional funding may be available to assist with your training through external sources.

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Before you apply, you should know

  • This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification is required prior to starting program courses or within the timeframe discussed at program orientation. Accepted certifications include BLS CPR from American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
  • After admission to the college, you will be considered a pre-nursing student. Students are eligible to submit a financial aid application at this point and can work to complete general education courses as laid out in the program curriculum. Students interested in beginning the core clinical nursing program courses will declare during the designated dates.
  • If you are a student at another college and are interested in transferring to NTC to complete your Nursing degree, please follow our Nursing Transfer Admissions Process.
  • Students that were previously unsuccessful in the NTC Nursing Program and are seeking readmission will be required to demonstrate knowledge of previous course competencies and readiness to return to the program through our Nursing Readmissions Process.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.