Wisconsin Nursing Colleges, Degrees & Licenses
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“While I felt prepared as a nurse with an associate degree, further education has equipped me with a more comprehensive understanding of my field. This experience has instilled in me the value of continuous learning, highlighting the importance of at least a bachelor’s degree for nurses to unlock the full scope of their potential and contribute more effectively in their roles.”
Liset Herrera, AGNP, Ascension All Saints Hospital (Racine, Wisconsin)
Wisconsin has several organizations that seek to represent the needs and talents of nurses. One such organization in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA). In its 2020 RN Workforce Survey Report, WNA noted that approximately 9 percent of the RN workforce providing direct care plans to leave the profession within two years. The report also predicted that by 2030, nearly half of all RNs were planning to leave their positions.
In regards to nursing faculty, the organization Administrators of Nursing Education of Wisconsin collaborated with WNA to request the state allocate $10 million in the state’s 2023-24 budget to fund a variety of advanced nursing education programs as a means of increasing the number of nursing educators in the state. Given that demand for RNs is expected to grow through at least 2040, it will likely be challenging to overcome the state’s current healthcare system issues successfully. Wisconsin is nonetheless taking steps to address its challenges.
Read on to discover Wisconsin’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Meet the Expert: Liset Herrera, MSN, BSN
Liset Herrera is a bilingual nurse practitioner with an impressive 24 years of diverse medical experience. Her expertise spans various healthcare settings, including hospitals, home health, long-term care, and case management. Herrera has covered multiple specialties, including mental health, cardiology, and dermatology. She is licensed as an AGNP in Wisconsin, demonstrating her commitment to delivering superior adult-gerontology care. She holds an MSN from Marquette University, a testament to her dedication to continuous learning. She is also fluent in Spanish and proficient with EPIC software.
Herrera’s professional tenure at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin, has been marked by excellence. She has excelled in dermatology, gastroenterology, and cardiovascular care roles, managing complex cases, performing medical procedures, and providing compassionate, high-quality patient care.
NursingColleges.com: How has graduating from a nursing program enhanced your career?
Herrera: For me, the decision to pursue higher education was a game-changer. I started with gateway classes, then obtained my vocational LPN license and an associate degree. Recognizing the importance of advancing my education, I pursued a bachelor’s degree, which significantly broadened my understanding, especially in theory, research, and practical application in nursing.
This educational journey was like building blocks, each step adding value and depth to my knowledge. It underscored the profound insights gained at higher levels of education, particularly for those aspiring to leadership roles in nursing. It also made me appreciate the depth of knowledge required in master’s and doctorate programs.
While I felt prepared as a nurse with an associate degree, further education has equipped me with a more comprehensive understanding of my field. This experience has instilled in me the value of continuous learning, highlighting the importance of at least a bachelor’s degree for nurses to unlock the full scope of their potential and contribute more effectively in their roles.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective nursing student?
Herrera: My journey in the nursing field has been a testament to the power of perseverance. Despite facing numerous challenges, including having two children during my master’s program and navigating through a pandemic, I never gave up. There were moments of self-doubt and external discouragement, but the fear of regretting not finishing kept me going. My path could have been smoother; it felt like crawling through endless hurdles. However, I was fortunate to find incredible support from exceptional preceptors who offered me unique learning opportunities, especially when things seemed insurmountable. Even when I contracted COVID-19 and faced financial aid issues, leading to a forced year off, I didn’t let it deter me. With determination, prayer, and my family’s unwavering support, I found new preceptors and completed my clinicals against all odds. This experience has taught me the importance of never giving up on oneself, no matter how difficult the journey, because with enough persistence and support, even the most demanding challenges can be overcome.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree program featuring two track options. Students may complete a traditional BSN program or pursue the BSN completion track. Regardless of track, students are offered a rigorous curriculum featuring several disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, humanities, and nursing-specific science coursework. In addition to traditional coursework, students complete clinical training, participate in lab simulations, and benefit from cultural immersion experiences.
Traditional BSN students gain experience in several settings, including hospitals, short-term rehabilitation centers, home care, community agencies, ambulatory care facilities, schools, and nursing homes. These varied placements train students in medical specialties, such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health. The curriculum also focuses on emergency preparedness, preparing students to work in urgent care scenarios effectively. Study abroad placements, collaborative student-faculty research, and internships add more value to the degree program.
The BSN completion (RN-to-BSN) program offers employed registered nurses a path to complete their degree. RNs and those with an ADN may find this track of great value. The curriculum features hybrid online synchronous and asynchronous coursework designed to give working nurse professionals the flexibility to continue working while advancing their education. Advantages of this program include rolling admissions, a variety of clinical placement options, and a bridge course that helps current ADN students quickly start their BSN education.
- Location: Eau Claire, WI and Marshfield site
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Wisconsin Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers many quality undergraduate and graduate-level programs in nursing. Regardless of a student’s degree and track, UW curriculum is defined by its commitment to collaboration, caring, research and innovation. The school trains nurses with the skills needed to become leaders in their profession and society.
Students seeking a bachelor of science degree in nursing may choose one of three tracks. These are the traditional, accelerated (ABSN), and RN-to-BSN nursing tracks. The traditional track is a four-year, 124-credit program in which students first complete two years of prerequisite coursework. Upon successful completion, they may apply to the School of Nursing to complete their nursing-specific coursework.
The ABSN program is a 49-credit program featuring 64 available student slots that can be completed in as little as 12 months. Finally, the RN-to-BSN program is designed for RNs holding an associate degree or diploma in nursing who wish to advance their careers. It is offered fully online to meet the needs of working adults. Students can complete this track in as little as 18 months.
- Location: Madison, WI
- Duration: One to four years, depending on track and pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Viterbo University School of Nursing prepares nurses to be holistic nurse practitioners dedicated to quality care and advancing nursing knowledge. The university’s educational programs emphasize diversity, equity, inclusion, caring, wisdom, and integrity. Viterbo University stands out among nursing schools in Wisconsin due to its acknowledgment of climate change and how it impacts public health. In accordance with recognizing this serious issue, the school became an early adopter of the Nurses Climate Challenge. The nursing curriculum includes content focused on the health impacts of climate change.
Viterbo offers nursing students two options to complete a BSN degree. These are the traditional degree option and the BSN completion program. Regardless of which program they select, students can expect a small faculty/student ratio, the use of modern, fully equipped skills labs, and a Clinical Simulation Learning Center that will enhance their knowledge and confidence. Additional features of Viterbo’s nursing program include study abroad programs that provide valuable nursing experience in other cultural contexts and social and professional associations such as the Viterbo Student Nurses’ Association and a local chapter of the International Honor Society of Nursing.
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Edgewood College Henry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, and Health Sciences features a rigorous BSN degree program designed to prepare its graduates with the entry-level knowledge and experience necessary to become professional nurses skilled in various health care settings.
Before starting nursing-specific coursework, students must complete a variety of coursework in subjects including, but not limited to, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and psychology. The breadth of coursework students may complete is guided by Everwood’s emphasis on a liberal arts education founded in the Dominican tradition. Students complete approximately five semesters of nursing coursework. Students benefit from a faculty/student ratio that is among the lowest in the state of Wisconsin, as well as access to more than fifty clinical agencies and related placements throughout the Madison, WI area.
A nursing education at Everwood College is more than just traditional coursework. Students gain valuable experience in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings where they will work with clients across the lifespan. Students may also join the Henry Predolin Student Nurses Association, Wisconsin’s largest such student association. Students can also gain invaluable global health experience through trips with faculty to underserved areas such as Cambodia, El Salvador, and St. Lucia. Graduates go on to work in any number of settings, including hospitals, public health, school nursing, corrections, and long-term care.
- Location: Madison, WI
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Yes
The Marquette University College of Nursing offers a 127-credit bachelor of science in nursing program designed to train a diverse student body to become providers of care, leaders of care, and respected members of the nursing profession. Successful graduates are well prepared to provide high-quality care to diverse populations in various healthcare settings. Unlike some nursing degree programs, Marquette nursing students are directly admitted into the College of Nursing as freshmen. Upon admission, they are guaranteed all required classes and clinical hours. The curriculum is composed of three main components. These are basic, social and nursing sciences, laboratory, clinical practice and simulated learning experiences, and classes that fulfill the university’s core coursework requirement.
Nursing students seeking diverse and demanding professional development experiences will find much on offer at Marquette. Such options include elective coursework, nursing study abroad experiences, the Les Aspin Center for Government internship program located in Washington, DC, and participation in the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership Program (VANAP). Students may also choose a minor. Additional details regarding these and other offerings can be found on the College of Nursing website.
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Yes
Carroll University offers five different pathways for individuals seeking to become nurses. One of these pathways is the university’s bachelor of science in nursing degree program. The BSN curriculum features a mixture of traditional coursework designed to provide an education in nursing theory and practice, simulation-based education, and work in clinical settings. Despite the rigorous demands of the program, students are encouraged to maintain outside interests and hobbies while completing their degree. Such activities often prove a healthy outlet to counterbalance the intellectual and other demands that a nursing program often features.
Students immediately jump into nursing courses and simulation-based education and lab skill development in their freshman year. In their second year students work in long-term care facilities where they primarily care for geriatric clients. In their third and fourth years, students transition to the medical-surgical units in acute care hospitals under the supervision of faculty and professional nurses. Students further develop their skills through a cross-cultural experience requirement. Near the end of the program, students complete a capstone experience in an area such as medical-surgical, pediatric, palliative care, psychiatric, or intensive care. The capstone project is a 120-hour requirement in which students work in a healthcare setting of their choosing. In 2023, graduates had a 100 percent pass rate on the NCLEX exam.
- Location: Waukesha, WI
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Wisconsin
Founded in 1909, Bellin College is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution. The College offers students both undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs. Regardless of their chosen program, students can expect their education to feature a focused curriculum, significant hands-on practice, and leadership and service learning. The College operates according to values such as excellence, integrity, community, and caring. The school’s nursing programs also emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and provide a solid foundation for subsequent doctoral-level studies.
Students seeking a master of science degree in nursing have different options to achieve this goal. Currently, available options include the family nurse practitioner track (FNP) and the nurse educator (NE) track. The FNP track is available both full- and part-time and features a curriculum composed of online, in-person, and hybrid classes delivered in 15-week-long semesters. The NE track is an online program that may also be completed full- or part-time. This program is fully online.
Beginning in autumn 2024, Bellin College will offer a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) track. This will be available fully online full- and part-time, and will also be offered in 15-week-long semesters. While students may request a particular preceptor or practicum site, the College ultimately decides on clinical placements.
- Location: Green Bay, WI
- Duration: Two to three years depending on pace of study and track
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Viterbo University offers a 63 credit hour direct entry master of science in nursing degree (DE MSN) program designed to lead to an initial RN licensure. This program was launched in the autumn of 2021 and consists of online coursework and in-person clinical and lab training. This program recognizes the reality that contemporary healthcare is changing due to profound and rapid changes in knowledge and healthcare technology, globalization, and socioeconomic issues. This program is designed to address the multiple challenges a globalized society faces in the 21st century.
In-person and web-enhanced courses provide students with high-quality, interactive instruction based on current nursing research and practice. Students gain experience with diverse patient populations within a variety of healthcare specialties and settings. Graduates are well prepared for entry-level nurse positions or for advanced study leading to a terminal degree, such as a doctor of nursing practice.
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Duration: 21 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Concordia University Wisconsin
The Concordia University Wisconsin School of Nursing offers students many ways to obtain a master’s level degree in nursing. The MSN NP program offers two specializations. These are the family nurse practitioner and adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner specializations. Additional options include the 40 credit hour nurse educator MSN program and the RN-to-MSN pathway. The RN to MSN program is designed for RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing. This accelerated program helps students reach their MSN faster than if they completed a BSN and MSN separately.
Regardless of track, students can expect their curriculum to challenge them. Examples of subjects featured in the curriculum include health policy, advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, and evidence-based practice. Programs are offered on both full- and part-time bases and feature online, in-person, and hybrid learning delivery models. Courses are built on a Christian foundation. Upon graduation students are equipped to pursue a variety of career trajectories. Students are also well prepared to pursue the university’s related doctoral-level programs.
- Location: Mequon, WI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Marian University of Fond du Lac
Marian University is a private, non-profit university located on the south shore of Lake Winnebago some seventy miles northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The university’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers students two pathways to a master of science in nursing degree. These are the traditional BSN-to-MSN and RN-to-MSN pathways. Regardless of path, students can choose to specialize as family nurse practitioners (FNP) or nurse administrators. Students thus have a total of four different MSN degree options.
The FNP program is a 46-credit program that may be completed full- or part-time. This is a hybrid program designed to meet the needs of busy students. Full-time students should spend 40 hours per week on their education.
The 35-credit nursing administration program is designed for registered nurses with a BSN and those enrolled in the RN to MSN program. This program is fully online and features a mixture of traditional graduate and competency-based coursework. Courses are taken from both the nursing and healthcare administration schools. This program features a 225-hour practicum course. The practicum is also designed with flexibility in mind. Students may work close to home and will work directly with nurse leaders to effectively integrate their didactic learning experience. This program can be completed in as few as eight semesters.
- Location: Fond du Lac, WI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Marquette University College of Nursing offers multiple pathways for those seeking an MSN degree. These pathways include the direct entry pathway, an RN to MSN pathway, and a traditional BSN to MSN pathway. Students can also pursue a dual MSN/MBA dual degree program.
The direct entry pathway is a 75-credit-hour program designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program features an accelerated generalist nursing curriculum designed to prepare students to successfully pass the NCLEX exam after completing the first 63 credits. After completing their remaining requirements, students are awarded their MSN. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader certification exam.
The RN-to-MSN pathway program is designed for RNs who hold an associate’s degree in nursing plus a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline. Students must complete several bridge courses before beginning graduate coursework. Upon completion students receive an MSN; no BSN is awarded. Both this program and the BSN to MSN pathway feature nine potential specializations. Please consult the school website for details on these specializations and their requirements.
- Location: Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie, WI
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
Nursing school accreditation is a voluntary but important step programs take to demonstrate that nurses who complete their program have received a quality education. Two groups typically grant this approval: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In Wisconsin, nursing program graduates obtain their licenses through the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed an appropriately accredited nursing program to be eligible for licensure. Additional steps applicants will typically need to complete include passing a criminal background check, completing the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing application for licensure, and passing the NCLEX exam. Requirements often differ by state.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Wisconsin?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of April 2024.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 7,050 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $57,190 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $48,520 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $57,150 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $68,910 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 61,870 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $87,220 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $69,240 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $83,300 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $105,110 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 950 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $247,160 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $213,390 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $237,320 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | >$239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | 140 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | $128,550 |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $88,020 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $131,020 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $156,290 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 5,210 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $128,330 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $105,880 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $126,910 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $156,930 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Board of Nursing |
Wisconsin LPNs applying for a license must meet the following requirements:
|
Wisconsin requires that LPNs renew their license by April 30th of odd years. To do so, they must submit an application and pay the $57 fee. There are no continuing education requirements. |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Board of Nursing |
RNs applying for a license in Wisconsin must meet the following requirements:
|
Wisconsin requires that RNs complete a renewal application by February 28th of even years. To do so, they must submit an application and pay the $57 fee. There are no continuing education requirements. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| In the state of Wisconsin, a CNS is licensed under the category of advanced practice nurse prescriber (APNP). In order to be eligible, the following is required:
|
In order to renew APNP licensure, nurses must complete CE requirements of 16 contact hours in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the advanced practice nurse prescriber’s area of practice, including at least 2 contact hours in responsible prescribing of controlled substances. APNPs must also provide proof of current liability insurance and current national certification or Continuous Competence Assessment (CCA) Cycle. The renewal fee is $57. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Wisconsin, a CNM is required to submit the following to be eligible for a license:
|
CNM licenses must be renewed by February 28th of even-numbered years. CNMs must provide proof of current liability insurance and current national certification. The renewal fee is $57. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Wisconsin, an NP is licensed under the category of Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP). In order to be eligible, the following is required:
|
In order to renew APNP licensure in Wisconsin, nurses must complete CE requirements of 16 contact hours in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the advanced practice nurse prescriber’s area of practice, including at least two contact hours in responsible prescribing of controlled substances. APNPs must also provide proof of current liability insurance and current national certification or Continuous Competence Assessment (CCA) Cycle. The renewal fee is $57. |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) Licensure in Wisconsin
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| In the state of Wisconsin, aCRNA is licensed under the category of advanced practice nurse prescriber (APNP). In order to be eligible, the following is required:
|
In order to renew APNP licensure, nurses must complete CE requirements of 16 contact hours in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the advanced practice nurse prescriber’s area of practice, including at least two contact hours in responsible prescribing of controlled substances. APNPs must also provide proof of current liability insurance and current national certification or Continuous Competence Assessment (CCA) Cycle. The renewal fee is $57. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.