
Thomas Reed, RN
June 26, 2025
Wisconsin’s nursing education offerings span a full continuum of career pathways, from foundational certification to advanced clinical specialization. Whether you’re starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), transitioning from Registered Nurse (RN) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or preparing for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s technical colleges, universities, and health systems deliver rigorous coursework paired with immersive clinical rotations. With flexible online modules designed for working students alongside hands‑on practicums at accredited care facilities, Wisconsin’s nursing programs equip graduates with the skills, professional credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel in a wide range of healthcare settings.
Oshkosh, WI - Public 4-Year - uwosh.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Traditional BSN program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a hybrid offering that combines online and face-to-face classes, providing flexibility over five semesters or a year-round schedule. It includes clinical rotations in local and regional healthcare facilities supervised by experienced instructors, with unique study abroad opportunities during interims. Admission requires meeting specific academic criteria, including ACT or SAT entrance exams, and applications are open for Fall 2025. This program is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive nursing education with practical skills.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The BSN@Home program is an online RN to BSN pathway at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, designed for working nurses to transfer up to 90 credits and accelerate degree completion. It features personalized advising, flexible schedules, and pathways to graduate studies, with scholarships and tuition reimbursement available. Admission requires an RN license, and no entrance exam is specified for this bachelor's level program, focusing on convenience and career advancement.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Accelerated BSN program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a 12-month hybrid option for bachelor's degree holders, combining online theory courses with clinical rotations near home and a two-week on-campus residency. It boasts high NCLEX pass rates, low attrition, and CCNE accreditation, with three annual start dates. Admission requires a prior bachelor's degree, and ACT or SAT entrance exams are typically needed for this bachelor's level program, offering a rigorous path for career changers.
Milwaukee, WI - Private 4-year - msoe.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The B.S. in Nursing - Traditional Track at Milwaukee School of Engineering is a full-time campus program for first-time college students, emphasizing hands-on clinical experiences and a technology-rich learning environment. Accredited by CCNE, it meets most state licensure requirements and guarantees progression for eligible students, focusing on teamwork, communication, and practical skills. Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT are likely required for admission, though not explicitly stated in the provided data.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The B.S. in Nursing - Accelerated Second-Degree Track at Milwaukee School of Engineering is an intensive 16-month campus program for career changers with a prior bachelor's degree, featuring two admission periods yearly. It includes extensive clinical hours, simulation experiences, and boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate with full accreditation. Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT are likely required for admission, though not explicitly stated in the provided data.
Waukesha, WI - Private 4-year - carrollu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carroll University's Associate Degree in Nursing is a two-year program focused on culturally-competent care, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. It features modern lab facilities and clinical practicums, with a preference for bilingual applicants. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and relevant coursework, with no entrance exam specified. The program supports further education through an RN-MSN pathway and includes holistic student support.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carroll University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program emphasizes hands-on learning with simulation labs and clinical placements from the first year, leading to a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023. It offers specializations in areas like pediatric care during the capstone experience and includes cross-cultural opportunities. Admission requires meeting academic standards, but no specific entrance exam is mentioned. The program is accredited by CCNE and provides strong faculty support.
Milwaukee, WI - Private 4-year - marquette.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Marquette University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year campus-based program that admits students directly as freshmen, ensuring a guaranteed pathway to graduation. It emphasizes rigorous scientific training combined with diverse clinical experiences, including laboratory work and simulations, to prepare graduates for high-quality patient care. The program boasts exceptional NCLEX pass rates above the national average and offers opportunities for honors, minors, study abroad, and ROTC. As a bachelor's level program, it requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Marquette University's Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing is a hybrid program designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, offering flexible completion in five or eight semesters with online or in-person options. It features hands-on learning through simulation labs and clinical rotations at top facilities, achieving a 93.86% NCLEX pass rate. This master's level program requires an entrance exam for admission, as no waiver is mentioned.
Eau Claire, WI - Public 4-Year - uwec.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's BSN Completion Program is a hybrid option for registered nurses aiming to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It blends online coursework with in-person sessions, providing flexibility for working professionals. The curriculum emphasizes research, leadership, and evidence-based practice to prepare graduates for advanced roles in healthcare. Accredited by the CCNE, it meets licensure requirements in multiple states and features rolling admissions for easy entry. As a bachelor's level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, making it accessible for those balancing career and education.
Wisconsin’s LPN programs combine coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. After developing skills in medication administration, vital‑sign monitoring, and basic patient care, students prepare for and pass the NCLEX‑PN exam to earn state licensure. Graduates then step into roles that alleviate RN and physician workloads, bolstering the practical nursing workforce across both Milwaukee’s urban centers and Wisconsin’s rural communities to ensure consistent access to quality care.
Wisconsin’s CNA courses typically last six to twelve weeks, combining classroom modules on infection control, anatomy fundamentals, and safety protocols with clinical practicums. Participants gain hands‑on experience in personal care tasks, such as hygiene assistance and feeding, and learn precise vital‑sign monitoring. After certification, CNAs join multidisciplinary teams in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Their support ensures smooth care workflows and enhances patient well‑being.
Wisconsin’s RN to BSN programs let practicing nurses advance without stepping away from bedside care by pairing flexible online coursework in nursing leadership, population health, informatics and health policy with hands-on clinical rotations at both major health systems and community clinics. Available in part-time and accelerated tracks, these bridge offerings fit around work schedules while guiding RNs toward a bachelor’s degree. Earning a BSN deepens competencies in evidence-driven practice and interprofessional collaboration, meets employer and accreditation criteria, and unlocks roles in specialty certification, management and public health across the state.
Wisconsin’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN with two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend advanced coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at universities and health systems statewide, they ready nurses for APRN certification and Wisconsin licensure. Graduates step into roles as primary care providers, chronic disease managers, and telehealth clinicians in Milwaukee and Madison medical centers, community clinics, and rural northern and western regions. By expanding advanced-practice capacity across both urban and underserved areas, these programs fortify Wisconsin’s healthcare network.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry path, many ADN grads continue to RN-to-BSN programs |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Wisconsin |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses strongly preferred statewide |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, NPs limited by reduced practice authority laws |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website