At a glance

Nursing majors are dedicated to improving health care outcomes and seek to make a positive impact on people’s lives. To prepare for a career in nursing, students develop critical thinking skills to better inform their decisions, build compassion through service opportunities, and gain real-life experience by applying what they’ve learned in the classroom during clinicals.

Degree Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing

View Degree Requirements

Earn your nursing degree at Carthage

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.

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.

Carthage nursing majors 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). See registered nurse 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/0,0,718,950/36536_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/0,30,300,330/36869_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>
  • <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/0,0,600,800/39151_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/0,102,1326,1428/37359_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/0,0,1240,2202/38874_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/0,0,2286,3200/39152_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>

Direct-entry admission: Start your nursing education right away!

Students in Carthage's BSN in nursing program take each other's blood pressure. 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 don’t have to wait until your sophomore year to apply.
  • You will receive support and guidance right away from the nursing faculty.
  • You can work toward achieving your goals from your first day on campus, so you can focus on advancing your nursing career.

View Admissions requirements


Develop your skills through three years of clinical experience

Clinicals allow students to gain hands-on experience caring for patients in different settings: hospitals, homes, schools, and the community. At Carthage, nursing majors begin clinical work their sophomore year — a year earlier than at most other colleges. Because we work with more than 50+ clinical partners, students have the opportunity to network with a variety of nurse professionals.

Our 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

Prepare for a nursing job with our career development program

  • <div class="text-with-stat__stat"><div class="text-with-stat__stat-inner"><strong class="text-with-stat__stat-number">100%</strong><span class="text-with-stat__stat-text"><p> of 2023 nursing graduates were hired!</p></span></div></div>

Carthage’s comprehensive career development sequence, The Aspire Program, helps students prepare for the workforce by assisting them in creating resumes, developing interview strategies, searching for open positions, and more. Our nursing graduates leave college prepared for a range of careers in the nursing field.

Carthage nursing graduates have been hired for positions at:
  • Advocate Aurora Health
  • Ascension
  • Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital
  • Chicago Behavioral Hospital
  • Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
  • Froedtert South
  • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Northwestern Medicine
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
  • St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Nursing students walking outside. Apply for a full-tuition nursing scholarship

Nursing scholarships Carthage offers 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.

More about nursing scholarships


Learn in state-of-the-art nursing facilities

The Nursing Learning Laboratories houses a welcome center, a debriefing room, a psychomotor skills laboratory, and a simulation laboratory. The simulation laboratory has four high-fidelity human simulators (adult, child, infant, and birthing mother). Our Health Assessment Laboratory houses four examination tables, a conference table, a whiteboard, and TV monitor.



Carthage launched a new J-Term study tour in summer 2023, a medical mission to Honduras. Provide medical care abroad through study tours

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 students 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.


Get mentoring from faculty and upperclassmen

Benefit from an assigned student mentor

Carthage recognizes the importance of a supportive and enriching environment for our nursing students. To demonstrate our commitment to their success, we have established a student mentoring program. All freshmen nursing majors are assigned an upperclassman mentor through their sophomore year. Students can ask their mentors for help with navigating college, managing their coursework, making friends, and so much more.

Learn from experienced nursing professors

With an average of 17 students in every class, Carthage provides students with an environment to form close relationships with their professors. Our nurse educators are not only experts in their field, but they also provide personalized guidance and support to students through one-on-one mentoring sessions, assisting in academic planning, and goal setting. They leverage their extensive networks within the healthcare industry to help students connect with professionals and organizations that align with their career goals.


Participate in nursing program traditions

This Nurse Pinning Ceremony recognizes individual student excellence in academic and clinical end... The Nursing Program at Carthage is new, but we are already creating our own traditions!

White Coat Ceremony

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.

Nurse Pining Ceremony

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.


Give back to the community

Our nursing students are encouraged to be socially responsible. The Carthage Association for Nursing Students (CANS) engages students in various community service opportunities, such as producing Blessing Bags at Christmas for Kenosha’s homeless community, collecting clothing donations for those in need, and fundraising for school supplies.