FORWARD is an affordable, locally accessible option for Sheboygan area students interested in nursing or teaching. Students can begin their nursing education journey by earning their associate degree with Lakeshore and finishing with a bachelor’s degree from UW-Green Bay. A recent search on Indeed for RN positions requiring less than a master’s degree in Sheboygan County resulted in 38 openings. Add in neighboring Manitowoc County’s 14 openings and it’s even more obvious RNs are in high demand in Lakeshore’s service area.
All classes are offered locally at Lakeshore’s Cleveland campus, the UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus, and online, making this the first time Sheboygan area residents can complete an affordable Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a public university close to home.
The new program removes barriers to pursuing a degree and creates a clear educational pipeline. It saves both time and money for students while allowing them to stay within the region and meet local workforce needs. Dual-enrollment high school students, recent graduates, and those already in the workforce have a seamless option to move from college to a nursing career.
“At a time when there is a shortage of nurses in hospitals, nursing facilities, and healthcare clinics, Lakeshore recognizes the need to keep students in their home communities. The FORWARD program allows students to learn and work in their local area at an affordable cost,” says Lakeshore Vice President of Instruction Meredith Sauer.
Demand for RNs in the Lakeshore district is projected to grow at 4%, representing a critical need locally. With a focus on learning locally, the FORWARD program allows area students of all ages to stay close to home while learning, making it more likely they stay in the area and fill local workforce needs upon graduating.
Quality Instruction & Facilities
Lakeshore’s Nursing-Associate Degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students learn with confidence, knowing they can be well prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam after graduating. Lakeshore’s first-time pass rate for 2024-25 is 94%, above state and national rates. Our graduates routinely exceed state and national first-time pass rates—something we are very proud of.
Whether Lakeshore students are learning with the use of advanced patient simulators or our Anatomage® table that features real-human-based 3D anatomy and superior medical learning tools, they are always receiving high-quality instruction from faculty who are experienced in the field. Students report high satisfaction with their training and often comment about how much they appreciate the real-world experience faculty share with students. Our last graduate outcomes survey showed:
100% of Nursing-Associate Degree graduates reported they were very satisfied or satisfied with their Lakeshore College training.
All Lakeshore Nursing-Associate Degree program students, including those in the FORWARD program, will appreciate starting their nursing education journey in state-of-the-art facilities close to home. The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Health Care Excellence opened on Lakeshore’s Cleveland campus in the fall of 2024, doubling capacity to train in-demand health science and medical services program students.
Learning Locally Makes It Easier to Work Locally
After completing Lakeshore’s Nursing-Associate Degree program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and upon passing, able to identify and work as an RN.
This allows them to gain valuable direct patient care experience after just two years—and a paycheck. Lakeshore’s most recent graduate outcomes survey showed 100% of Nursing-Associate Degree graduates employed and earning a median annual salary ranging from $61,355 to $75,082.
“The new FORWARD program results in getting nurses into the community faster, where they are in high demand,” says Lakeshore’s Associate Dean of Nursing Norman Shanks, who is also an active RN.
“After completing their first two years at Lakeshore, graduates can be providing direct patient care in healthcare settings all around our community. They also can transition right into the BSN program at UW-Green Bay and complete that in two years as well,” Shanks states.
Another advantage of completing the Nursing-Associate Degree at Lakeshore is that many healthcare employers provide tuition assistance for completing a bachelor’s degree. This offers another opportunity for FORWARD program students to save money.
RNs with associate degrees can enjoy fulfilling careers in hands-on patient care. Among the 39 RN positions in the recent Indeed search, 16 required an associate degree. RNs who earn a BSN have a wider range of career opportunities available to them, including leadership roles and specialties, which typically pay higher salaries. Among the 39 RN positions in the recent Indeed search, 23 required a bachelor’s degree.
Move FORWARD & Get the Details
Anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of the FORWARD program is welcome to attend an upcoming information session. Sessions are set for:
- May 19, 6-7 pm, UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
- May 21, 4-5 pm, Lakeshore College, Center for Health Care Excellence
- June 10, 9-10 am, UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
- June 18, 6-7 pm, Virtual
Topics covered during the sessions include an overview of the FORWARD program for both teaching and nursing, curriculum, learning options, course locations, financial aid options, and tours.
Session registration and details about the FORWARD program are available at lakeshoretouwgb.com.
