Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Curriculum
General Education Courses
As a bachelors level student, you are required to take about 30 credits of general education courses as part of the 120 credits required for a bachelors degree. Gen eds are required regardless of your major.
All students take 10.5 to 17 credits in these areas:
- Mathematical Reasoning
Nursing majors will take courses covering topics such as:
- Patient centered care across the lifespan
- Evidence based nursing
Program Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Goals
Professional Standards
About Nursing Schools In Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one of the many states that is facing a severe crisis in terms of nursing shortage. The average annual salary of the 63,630 registered nurses currently employed in the state is $99,060 with the ones with recent graduates earning about $54,040 per year. The state currently requires a whooping 3,600 nurses annually and the total number of nurses working here is predicted to increase by 7.8% from the year 2018 to 2028. There are multiple hospitals, clinics, community healthcare facilities, and other healthcare settings that demand nurses annually more than the state is able to supply. Thus, nurses are less likely to face a shortage of job vacancies should they choose to work in Wisconsin.
On top of that, the state also has an average job openings of 250 Nurse practitioners in addition to the 4,820 NPs currently working there. The US department of labor has predicted that the number of NPs working in the state will rise to 3,750 by the year 2028, hence the significant number of annual job openings. Recently graduated NPs earn about $100,570 while those with significant experience earn more than $137,000 in various healthcare settings across the state.
Overview Of Nursing Schools In Wisconsin
- There are 45 nursing schools in Wisconsin. The CCNE accredits 21 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 28 schools in Wisconsin.
- On average, attending an RN program in Wisconsin will cost you between $5,252.00 and $31,413.00 per year.
- In Wisconsin, the average undergraduate student borrows between $4,725.00 and $14,000.00 per year.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Wisconsin ADN students is between 79.53% and 96.50%.
- On average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Wisconsin BSN students is between 78.38% and 96.40%.
- The average annual salary for a registered nurse in Wisconsin is between $63,750 to $82,330 a year. For Nurse Practitioners it is between $99,010 and $124,940.
- Registered Nurses throughout the country and in Wisconsin can expect a favorable job growth of 7.8% through 2028 which faster than the average for all occupations. For Nurse Practitioners the need is 23% through 2028.
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Getting A Wisconsin Nursing License
Wisconsin State Board of Nursing regulations for obtaining licensure are as follows:
Obtaining licensure through the examination process:
- Completed application – with fees paid
- Verification of education – Graduation or Completion form or official transcripts, sent directly to the Board via the institution attended
- NCLEX Registration – passing score upon completion
Obtaining licensure through the endorsement process you must include the above information, as well as the following:
- Verification of licensure from originating state
Learn more about WI RN license requirements at the State of Wisconsin – Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Key Factors That Affect Nursing School Tuition

Keep in mind that colleges and universities reserve the right to change tuition rates at any time. The yearly tuition rates listed here will vary for each student depending on various factors including,
- Transfer credits
- Amount of credits taken per year
- Financial aid awards
Check with the specific school for current tuition rates.
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What To Consider When Choosing A Dnp Program
- Program Cost Tuition for DNP programs in Wisconsin varies from institution to institution. If you are a resident of the state, expect to pay anywhere between $840 to $963 per unit hour. If you’re a non-resident, expect to pay somewhere around $1,870 per unit hour.
- Online Options Of the 8 universities in Wisconsin offering DNP programs, six offer programs with either a combination of in-person, hybrid and/or online formats, or entirely online formats:
- Concordia UniversityWisconsin: Offers two online post-masters DNP tracks Direct Care Provider Track, Indirect Care, and a Leadership track
- Edgewood College: The program is offered in a blended/online format, with students meeting face-to-face in the evenings only two to three times during the semester. The rest of the coursework is done online
- University of WisconsinEau Claire: Both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP programs deliver hybrid formats
- University of WisconsinMadison: Both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP programs are offered primarily online, with a few scheduled face-to-face classroom sessions
- University of WisconsinOshkosh: Program courses are offered both online and on campus
- Viterbo University: Courses are delivered both online and on-campus
Msn Admission Requirements In Wisconsin
Depending on your school of choice, requirements may vary slightly. Here is an example of some of the requirements you might face in a typical MSN program:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must submit official transcripts and a copy of current Wisconsin nursing license
- Must provide resume/CV and write a reflective essay
- Complete a personal interview with a graduate nursing faculty member
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Requirements For Education & Training
Applicants for LPN licensure must have completed a state-approved nursing program and hold the applicable degree, diploma, or certificate.
Wisconsin is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows nurses to work in 25 states under one license. Nurses who hold a license from a non-participating state must apply for a license by endorsement. According to WI Act 146, nurses with credentials from another state can practice in Wisconsin for 72 consecutive hours a year without holding a Wisconsin LPN license.
Licensure candidate may submit an application for a Temporary Permit in addition to the regular license application. A temporary permit is valid for three months or until they receive their results from the NCLEX-PN exam. The permit holder automatically becomes a Graduate Practical Nurse and can practice under the direct supervision of an RN.
Applicants without a current nursing education and who have not been employed in a position requiring a nursing license within the past five years may apply for a limited license. After completing a nursing refresher course, temporary permit-holders may petition the Board for full licensure.
Support Advanced Practice Nursing
The appeal of graduate nursing programs might extend to nurses who want to pursue advanced practice roles and to non-nurses who hold degrees in other disciplines. While the entry-level education for advanced practice registered nurses is the masters degree, this might be in the process of shifting. In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing called for a change. They proposed that the current level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice move from the masters degree to the doctorate-level by the year 2015. The AACN’s position statement calls for APRNs and other nurses seeking leadership/organizational roles to be educated in DNP programs.
Expert Insight
MS in Nursing Programs: Professional Insight
Obtaining my MSN enhanced my career beyond anything I could have imagined. The knowledge and skills I gained in my clinical experiences and courses gave me everything I needed to provide primary care to patients in my community in a way that I couldn’t as an RN. Beyond this, it positioned me to become a leader in healthcare and make an enduring impact through legislative change and advocacy.
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What You Will Learn
A hallmark of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is the integration of our liberal arts core with our innovative curriculum and professional preparation. You will be given a broad educational foundation and develop an in-depth understanding of societal and healthcare issues with a focus on safe, effective, and evidence-based care. Our faculty will work with you to develop higher levels of critical thinking skills, see patterns across concepts, and use those patterns to deliver high quality and cost-effective care.
Center for Health Professions
The Center for Health Professions is the location for all nursing courses and skill building. Students learn new skills during lectures in the assessment lab followed by hands-on practice. In the simulation room, mannequins provide opportunities to practice emergency care in a controlled environment. Faculty evaluate students and provide immediate feedback. This multi-million dollar facility brings high tech education to all BSN students.
This is a job I love impacting students lives, creating competent nursing professionals and most importantly, at an institution that truly embraces its mission and core values.
Nancy Noble, MSNAssociate Professor, Nursing
Bellin College Accelerated Nursing Program
Address: 3201 Eaton Rd, Green Bay, WI 54311
Telephone: 433-6699
Apply: HERE
At Bellin College, students have the opportunity to learn on campus with state-of-the-art technology, including an expanded Health Sciences Resource Center with multiple simulation labs.
As a specialized school, Bellin College has very few programs and has equally made it to the top 10 schools offering accelerated nursing programs in Wisconsin.
Its accelerated nursing program is a 15 Month Program designed for students who have completed the required 56 general education credits. The program is quite intensive and consists of seven consecutive 8-week sessions.
Each year, Bellin College admits two cohorts into this program. The first cohort starts in January till May of the next year, while the second cohort starts in June until October of the next year.
Eligibility and Requirements
- No grades lower than a C in required general education courses.
- Personal Resume
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Official College Board AP transcripts/scores
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What Are Msn Nursing Specialties
Nursing masters programs provide key nursing education for advanced practice nurses to be eligible to pursue licensure as nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse anesthetists. Beyond these roles, there are MSN programs that with emphasis in nurse educator, nurse informatics, nurse executive and more. While some nursing graduate schools may offer the general Master of Science in Nursing, most expect students to focus their studies on one of these areas, and coursework will reflect this.
Did You Know?
University Of Wisconsin Madison Accelerated Nursing Program

Address: Signe Skott Cooper Hall 701 Highland Avenue Madison, WI 53705
Apply: HERE
The University of Wisconsin Madison was the first public university to be established in Wisconsin.
The UW Madison School of Nursing was founded in 1924 as the first collegiate nursing program in Wisconsin, serving nurses worldwide throughout their careers.
Amongst the universities offering accelerated nursing programs in Wisconsin, UW-Madison has the most wholesome requirements. Applicants have to show certain attributes which would be evaluated by the admission committee.
This accelerated BSN program is an in-person program that runs intensively for 12 months with no traditional semester breaks. This prepares students to sit for licensing exams on completion of the program. You are eligible to apply if you already hold a non-nursing degree.
Each Semester, Accelerated BSN students will work under the supervision of clinical experts to provide hands-on care to people and take part in interactive simulation using state-of-the-art technology. By the end of the program, nurses must have been trained to enter deep into the profession.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants are required to submit an online application, participate in a group interview, and submit an in-person writing exercise. These are reviewed by two faculty members. The following factors/attributes are considered:
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University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh Accelerated Nursing Program
Address: 800 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh, WI,54901
Apply: HERE
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1871, and it is the third-largest higher learning institute in Wisconsin.
The UW Oshkosh College of Nursing offers a 12-month hybrid accelerated BSN program for individuals who already have a bachelors degree in other disciplines. This undergraduate nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
Each year, the College offers three cohorts for this program with start dates in February, May, and October.
UW Oshkosh College of Nursing has demonstrated an all-around quality nursing education. The program components consist of theory courses offered 100% online clinical rotations completed in or near a students home community, and three on-campus residencies: orientation weekend, a two-week lab/clinical combination, and advanced concepts/capstone week.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Prior completion of a non-nursing bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Minimum pre-nursing GPA of 3.0 on the completed College of Nursing prerequisites
- All of the required pre-requisite courses must be completed with a minimum C grade
- Students educated outside of the United States must submit evidence of English language proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language and achieving a minimum score of 71.
Takeaway
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What Are Doctorate Nursing Programs
Doctorate of nursing practice programs in fall into two principal types: research-focused and practice- focused. These two types of doctoral programs differ in their goals and the skillsets of their graduates. They also represent alternate approaches to the highest level of educational preparation in nursing. Furthermore, there are various areas that could be used as anchor points for either research or clinical practice. Sometimes, a nursing grad school offers MSN tracks with a companion Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
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Best Nursing Schools In Wisconsin
Selecting the best nursing school in Wisconsin can be difficult. To make the process easier first look for a school that supports students towards licensure and beyond. A great way to measure this is through NCLEX-RN “pass rates.” We have ranked the top 20 nursing schools in Wisconsin by analyzing current and historical NCLEX-RN “pass rates”, meaning the percentage of graduates who pass the exam, out of the 42 RN programs in the state. Programs reviewed include schools that offer an Associate in Nursing , BSN, or Direct-Entry MSN Degree.
For more information on our top nursing school rankings, see our Methodology Page .
See Our list of the Best Nursing Programs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is supporting the upward trend of further learning by offering flexible learning schedules and supplying many jobs for aspiring registered nurses. Approximately 1,900 job opportunities per year are projected over the next 5 years, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the median salary for a nurse in Wisconsin is approximately $71,470 annually. With Wisconsin area schools graduating roughly 3,000 nurses a year , becoming a registered nurse in the state is more convenient than ever.
For RN bridge programs visit:
About Uwm College Of Nursing
UW-Milwaukee is home to the largest College of Nursing in the state of Wisconsin. The UWM Doctor of Nursing Practice is ranked in the top 10% of all DNP programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and offers students in the BS to DNP program a choice of seven specialty role options in clinical and nonclinical areas of nursing.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest achievement in clinical nursing practice. Five highly specialized tracks offer students their choice of intensive, focused degree options that prepare graduates for employment in competitive clinical and nonclinical nursing careers.
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Best Accelerated Nursing Programs In Wisconsin 2022
In todays post, we will explore the essentials to help in getting the right Accelerated Nursing Programs in Wisconsin.
Accelerated nursing programs are programs designed for this purpose. They are one of the quickest routes one can take in obtaining a nursing degree as a non-nursing degree holder.
They allow you to transfer credits from your current degree toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
These programs are usually very intensive and demanding and require full commitment with no breaks until their completion which is usually between 12 to 18 months. There are also Accelerated Direct Entry MSN programs designed for non-nursing degree holders. These programs cover both BSN and MSN for approximately 2 years.
Launch Your Nursing Career In Wisconsin
Its a great time to become a nurse. Nursing workforce experts are predicting an estimated shortage by 2020 due to increasing, aging and diverse populations that need more care along with dramatic changes in healthcare.
Academic institutions in our state offer a wide variety of nursing education programs. Two national organizations accredit nursing education programs: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . See the ANEW website for current information on WI nursing programs and schools.
Accredited schools in Wisconsin cover a wide range programs throughout the state from rural to urban to virtual campuses. They offer Bachelor of Science Degree Nursing, Associate Degree, and Licensed Practical Nursing programs. There are also numerous BSN completion programs to advance those having earlier degrees to the baccalaureate level. If you have already earned an undergraduate degree in another subject area, accelerated programs can shorten length of study time to earn an additional degree in the field of nursing. Nurses can also become certified in in specialty areas as an added measure of clinical competence.
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