Winston-Salem State University Division of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Winston-Salem State University’s Division of Nursing—an HBCU-led program in the Piedmont Triad—offers Traditional and Accelerated BSN pathways with holistic upper-division admission, a flexible RN-to-BSN completion track, and fully online MSN (Advanced Nurse Educator and FNP), DNP, and post-graduate FNP certificate options. This guide ties together WSSU Student Accounts tuition schedules, the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s 2024 NCLEX-RN BSN table, and published TEAS deadlines from the holistic admission page; confirm everything with WSSU and NCBON.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
WSSU’s Division of Nursing combines an HBCU mission focused on health equity with Triad access to major tertiary centers. Holistic upper-division admission uses ranking, science prerequisites, and the ATI TEAS, while the North Carolina Board of Nursing’s 2024 annual BSN table shows a 94% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate—matching the statewide BSN aggregate in that PDF. A March 2024 WSSU news release separately highlights a school-reported perfect first-time pass outcome for the prior-year cohort; always reconcile marketing summaries with NCBON publications.
Overview & Why Students Choose WSSU
Winston-Salem State University is a public UNC System institution and historically Black university on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Winston-Salem. Its Division of Nursing, housed in the School of Health Sciences, describes a mission rooted in HBCU traditions: preparing nurses to advance social justice, health equity, and culturally responsive care for underserved communities.
Prospective undergraduates encounter two pre-licensure doorways: Traditional BSN students apply to upper division after completing prerequisites at WSSU, while Accelerated BSN (ABSN) applicants submit during the July 15–September 1 window for joint admission to the university and the accelerated track. Licensed RNs can ladder into an RN-to-BSN program marketed for online and evening flexibility. Graduate offerings—fully online MSN concentrations in Advanced Nurse Educator (ANE) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), a DNP with BSN-DNP and post-master’s entry points, and a post-master’s FNP certificate—extend the ladder for Triad and statewide nurses.
According to the North Carolina Board of Nursing 2024 NCLEX-RN first-time testing pass rates (BSN programs table), Winston-Salem State University reported a 94% first-time pass rate for that reporting year. The same document lists a 94% aggregate first-time pass rate for all North Carolina BSN programs and a 92% national BSN first-time pass rate. Separately, a March 2024 WSSU news article describes a school-reported first-time pass outcome for every tester in the 2023 cohort (narrative news piece—confirm cohort years with the university). Always verify newer data through NCBON and the Division of Nursing.
Reasons students consider Winston-Salem State
Triad clinical ecosystem
Located minutes from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and other Novant and independent hospitals, the program sits in a tertiary-care-rich region where students routinely encounter high-acuity and community-based placements—confirm current contracts with the division.
Dual pre-licensure pathways
WSSU publishes both Traditional and Accelerated BSN entry tracks with clearly separated application windows (October–January vs. July–September), helping direct entry and second-degree students plan timelines.
Online MSN & DNP depth
Graduate marketing emphasizes 100% online MSN delivery for ANE and FNP concentrations, DNP pathways for BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, and a post-graduate FNP certificate—useful for working APRNs seeking credentials without relocating.
Holistic, points-based admission
The holistic admission page explains ranking, prerequisite science repeat limits, a required ATI TEAS, and a mandatory NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing course—signals transparency for competitive applicants.
HBCU identity & workforce pipeline
The division foregrounds diversity, social determinants of health, and leadership for underserved populations—differentiators for students seeking mission-aligned nursing education inside the UNC System.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects the Winston-Salem State University Division of Nursing, holistic BSN admission, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate FNP certificate marketing pages. Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at WSSU the program uses the ABSN abbreviation on the holistic admission site.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
For students already admitted to WSSU who complete lower-division prerequisites, science courses within 10 years, and NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing with a grade of C or better (two attempts allowed on sciences). Upper-division admission is competitive; meeting minimums does not guarantee a seat. Graduates sit for NCLEX-RN.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
For new students applying simultaneously to WSSU and the accelerated track. Per the holistic admission page, ABSN entrants take NUR 2313 after admission rather than before application. Applications open July 15–September 1 with the same TEAS and prerequisite standards as the traditional pathway unless the catalog states otherwise.
Post-licensure (undergraduate)
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Designed for working RNs seeking BSN completion with flexible online and evening coursework. Published term deadlines include Fall August 5, Spring December 13, and Summer I May 1. Clinical experiences align with career goals—confirm expectations with the division.
Graduate & post-master’s
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Advanced Nurse Educator (ANE)
Fully online 39-credit concentration including ~240 clinical hours in educational settings; graduates may pursue NLN Certified Nurse Educator eligibility. Typical completion: two years full-time or three years part-time.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Fully online 51-credit concentration with 672 practicum hours focused on primary care for underserved populations. Graduates may sit for AANP or ANCC FNP certification examinations per WSSU’s MSN materials.
Post-graduate APRN certificate — FNP
Certificate option for master’s-prepared nurses seeking FNP eligibility; details appear on the certificate admissions page and aligns with the division’s CCNE disclosure language.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
WSSU markets BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP tracks culminating in advanced practice leadership; refer to the DNP admissions page and catalog for credit totals and residency expectations.
UNC System tuition, course numbering, and specialty availability may change with Board of Governors or departmental approvals. Confirm every pathway, prerequisite, and delivery mode in the WSSU academic catalog and official Division of Nursing pages before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the North Carolina Board of Nursing 2024 NCLEX-RN first-time testing pass rates (BSN programs table), Winston-Salem State University reported a 94% first-time pass rate for the annual reporting period reflected in that PDF. The same document reports a 94% aggregate first-time pass rate for all North Carolina BSN programs and a 92% national BSN first-time pass rate—benchmarks should be quoted only as presented there.
In March 2024 WSSU’s newsroom published “WSSU Nursing Program achieves perfect NCLEX pass rate: 100% success for 2023,” describing every tester in the cited cohort passing on the first attempt (school-reported news story). Compare such communications with official NCBON annual tables when evaluating trends.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN) | 94% (2024 annual; North Carolina Board of Nursing PDF) |
| North Carolina BSN aggregate (same report) | 94% first-time (2024 annual table) |
| National BSN aggregate (same report) | 92% first-time (2024 annual table) |
| School-reported highlight | March 2024 WSSU news article on 2023 cohort first-time pass outcomes (71 testers cited) |
| Source | North Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (includes annual PDFs). Confirm current data with NCBON and the Division of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting methodology. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and Winston-Salem State University before making enrollment decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses depend on visa type, prior nursing education, and North Carolina licensure rules. Use the checklist below as a starting point; this is general guidance, not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Meet WSSU undergraduate or graduate admissions standards (TOEFL/IELTS or equivalents listed for international students).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow WSSU Admissions and Graduate Studies instructions for evaluated coursework and any nursing-specific documents.
- North Carolina Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, review ncbon.com for examination, endorsement, and international applicant guidance.
- Immigration & clinical placement: Pre-licensure nursing requires community and hospital clinical hours. Confirm F-1 or other visa status, CPT/OPT implications, and background-check expectations with WSSU’s international office and the Division of Nursing before enrolling.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Winston-Salem State University’s international office, the Division of Nursing, and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
WSSU’s holistic admission nursing page states that meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission: a ranking system awards points, and some qualified applicants may not receive seats. Students need a grade of C or better in prerequisite nursing sciences and in NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing, with only two attempts allowed to achieve the required science grades; sciences must be completed within 10 years of application. NUR 2313 must be completed at WSSU for Traditional BSN applicants before upper division; Accelerated BSN students take it after admission.
ATI TEAS & holistic review
Register for the ATI TEAS using WSSU’s posted instructions. Any Academic Preparedness Level is considered, but Proficient is preferred. Applicants may test up to three times with at least 30 days between attempts within a one-year window; scores remain valid for two years. Upload the full Individual Performance Profile showing every section, total score, and preparedness level.
Application timeline (published windows)
| Track | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN → upper division | October 15–January 31 (midnight) | Requires Banner ID, transcripts, and TEAS documentation in the portal; site also shows future illustrative dates (e.g., Oct. 15, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027). |
| Accelerated BSN (ABSN) | July 15–September 1 (midnight) | For applicants seeking joint admission to WSSU and ABSN; TEAS and prerequisites due by deadline. |
| RN-BSN | Fall Aug. 5 · Spring Dec. 13 · Summer I May 1 | Per RN-BSN admissions page; confirm if dates shift. |
| MSN (Fall start) | Feb. 15 early · Apr. 30 and Jun. 30 cited in different blocks | Graduate page lists multiple final dates—verify on gradapply.wssu.edu for your cohort. |
| DNP | See DNP admissions + catalog | BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP pathways each publish credit/clinical expectations separately. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum grades (holistic BSN) | C or better in prerequisite sciences & NUR 2313; two-attempt limit on sciences |
| TEAS / HESI | ATI TEAS required for Traditional/Accelerated BSN per holistic admission page |
| GRE (graduate nursing) | No GRE/MAT for MSN (ANE/FNP) per graduate marketing page |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Undergraduate figures below come from Winston-Salem State University Student Accounts — 25–26 Undergraduate Main Campus Tuition & Fees (Fall 2025–Spring 2026). They include tuition plus the mandatory fee stack shown on that schedule; they exclude the optional book-rental add-on (students may opt out per PDF), health insurance charges that apply at 7+ credits unless waived, housing, meals, travel, and the one-time $165 new-student fee.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Main campus undergraduate per credit (1–2 credits, tuition + mandatory fees) | NC resident $263.28 · Out-of-state $707.30 (per published banded totals on the PDF) |
| Main campus undergraduate (12 credits, tuition + mandatory fees) | NC resident $3,049.00 per term · Out-of-state $8,377.00 per term |
| Example raw tuition (12 credits, before fees) | NC resident $1,700.50 · Out-of-state $7,028.50 (per same PDF row) |
| Graduate / MSN / DNP | See separate PDFs linked from WSSU tuition and fees index (e.g., 25–26 graduate, FNP, DNP schedules). |
| Cost of attendance (budget) | Use WSSU Financial Aid materials and the Net Price Calculator linked from the Student Accounts page for full COA estimates. |
| Source | Winston-Salem State University tuition and fees. Confirm charges each term with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Board-reported NCLEX outcomes appear in the NCLEX section above. Employment or salary disclosures specific to WSSU nursing graduates were not excerpted in the sources used for this guide; consult the division’s outcomes materials or career services for current data.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN) | 94% (2024 annual; North Carolina Board of Nursing PDF) |
| School-reported cohort highlight | March 2024 WSSU news article on first-time pass outcomes for the 2023 cohort (71 testers cited) |
| Job placement / starting salary | Not publicly disclosed in the sources used here |
Is Winston-Salem State the Right Fit for You?
WSSU fits students who want an HBCU nursing education inside the UNC System with Triad hospital access, explicit Traditional and Accelerated BSN pathways, and robust online graduate ladders. It may be less ideal if you prefer programs that do not require the TEAS for pre-licensure admission or if you expect guaranteed upper-division placement without holistic review.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value mission-driven nursing education emphasizing health equity and underserved communities.
- Want both Traditional and Accelerated BSN options plus flexible RN-BSN completion.
- Plan to progress toward MSN (ANE/FNP) or DNP using WSSU’s fully online graduate formats.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot commit to ATI TEAS preparation and repeat limits for holistic admission.
- Expect automatic admission once prerequisite minimums are met.
- Need a program outside North Carolina’s clinical footprint without verifying multi-state authorization rules.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Winston-Salem anchors the Piedmont Triad with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center and major teaching hospital minutes from campus, alongside Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, rehab and behavioral health institutes, community federally qualified health centers, and growing ambulatory networks in Forsyth and adjacent counties. Greensboro and High Point expand the clinical jobs footprint, while Charlotte and the Triangle remain within regional reach for selective rotations or residencies. Students should still confirm which employers hold active clinical contracts with WSSU each year.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist | Academic medical center with broad specialty services; common destination for advanced nursing rotations in the Triad. |
| Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center | Large community hospital network anchor serving Winston-Salem; strong demand for medical-surgical and critical care nurses. |
| Community & public health partners | FQHCs, school health programs, and county health departments support population-health and prevention-focused clinical experiences. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing sits within the School of Health Sciences, alongside programs such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and clinical laboratory science—useful for interprofessional education on a compact urban campus. Student life reflects a mid-size public HBCU with Division II athletics (“Rams”), student organizations, and proximity to downtown Winston-Salem arts and dining. Simulation labs, skills practice, and community immersion experiences are integral to the professional sequence; ask the division for the latest facility tours or open-house dates.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Main campus address
- 601 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27110, US
- Undergraduate nursing telephone
- 336-750-2513
- Undergraduate email
- nursingosa@wssu.edu
- Graduate nursing email
- graduatenursingosa@wssu.edu
- Website
- Division of Nursing · wssu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the holistic admission page and download any linked TEAS or application instructions.
- Compare your transcripts with the catalog nursing program prerequisites, including the 10-year science rule.
- Register for ATI TEAS if you plan to apply to Traditional or Accelerated BSN; plan attempts around the 30-day spacing rule.
- Attend a graduate nursing virtual info session if MSN/DNP is your goal.
- Review undergraduate tuition PDF plus housing and meal plans for a realistic budget.
- Monitor NCBON NCLEX publications for the next annual update after 2024.
- Email nursingosa@wssu.edu with pathway-specific questions (undergraduate) or graduatenursingosa@wssu.edu (graduate).
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate does NCBON publish for Winston-Salem State University’s BSN program?
The 2024 annual BSN table lists 94% for WSSU—matching North Carolina’s aggregate BSN first-time rate and two points above the 92% national BSN rate in that PDF. Confirm newer years on ncbon.com.
What tuition does WSSU publish for main-campus undergraduates in 2025–26?
Student Accounts lists $3,049.00 per term (tuition + mandatory fees) for NC residents at 12 credits and $8,377.00 for non-residents, before optional fees, insurance, and housing. See the 25–26 undergraduate PDF.
Does WSSU require the TEAS for Traditional or Accelerated BSN applicants?
Yes. Holistic admission materials require ATI TEAS registration, official score uploads, and adherence to attempt limits. Confirm whether RN-BSN or graduate tracks require additional testing separately.
What are the application windows for WSSU’s Traditional vs. Accelerated BSN?
Traditional upper-division applications open October 15–January 31; Accelerated BSN applications open July 15–September 1 (midnight deadlines). Verify the active cycle on the holistic admission page.
Is Winston-Salem State University nursing CCNE-accredited?
The Division of Nursing states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs—confirm scope on the division site and with CCNE.
What MSN concentrations does WSSU offer?
The MSN page describes fully online Advanced Nurse Educator (ANE) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) tracks, each with published credit/clinical expectations.
When are RN-BSN application deadlines at WSSU?
The RN-BSN marketing page lists Fall August 5, Spring December 13, and Summer I May 1—reconfirm before you apply.
What did WSSU’s March 2024 news release claim about NCLEX?
The article reports a first-time pass outcome for every tester in the highlighted 2023 cohort (71 students). Compare marketing stories with official NCBON tables when benchmarking programs.
Does WSSU offer a post-master’s FNP certificate?
Yes. The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate page describes the post-graduate option for master’s-prepared nurses.
Where can I find WSSU’s Nurse Faculty Loan Program information?
The Division hosts a Nurse Faculty Loan Program page describing eligibility for MSN/DNP students pursuing educator or APRN preceptor careers—confirm current federal rules with Financial Aid.
References
- Winston-Salem State University — Division of NursingDivision overview
- WSSU — Holistic admission (Traditional & ABSN)Holistic admission nursing
- WSSU — RN-BSN programRN-BSN admissions
- WSSU — MSN (ANE/FNP)Graduate MSN page
- WSSU — DNP programDNP admissions
- WSSU — Student Accounts (tuition index + PDFs)Tuition and fees
- WSSU — Fall 2025–Spring 2026 undergraduate tuition & fees (PDF)25-26-undergraduate.pdf
- WSSU News — NCLEX cohort highlight (March 2024)2023 cohort article
- North Carolina Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass ratesncbon.com/nclex-pass-rates
- North Carolina Board of Nursing — 2024 annual RN pass rates (PDF)1-year-rn-pass-rates-2024.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX alignment with North Carolina Board of Nursing annual PDFs, tuition figures against WSSU Student Accounts PDFs, and program scope against the Division of Nursing and graduate admissions pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Published: March 30, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 30, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy