How To Become a Nurse in Wisconsin 2025

Nurses play an essential part in the American healthcare system. They are also one of its biggest employment sectors. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there were more than 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) working in the U.S. last year.

This article explores how to become a nurse and the requirements in the state of Wisconsin, from the steps to earning your RN licensure to accredited nursing programs. Read on to learn more about earning your Wisconsin nursing license and starting your career in this rewarding public health industry.

What Does an RN Do?

Certified registered nurses (RNs) perform a wide range of duties related to patient care, from providing direct medical treatment to patients to coordinating with physicians and healthcare providers. The role of an RN includes responsibilities like:

• evaluating patients' conditions
• recording medical symptoms and histories
• administering medicine and treatments
• help perform diagnostic tests
• monitoring and operating medical equipment
• teaching patients about how to continue their recovery at home

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Wisconsin?

How long it will take you to earn your RN license in Wisconsin will depend on your career goals and previous education and experience. For example, if you are a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) looking to earn your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can enroll in an LPN to RN bridge program and graduate in 15 months or fewer. Otherwise, an ADN generally takes two years to earn.

If you already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree, 12-month accelerated nursing programs are an option. These are fast-track degree programs that allow you to earn your accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), also known as an ABSN, at a faster pace. A traditional BSN takes four years to earn.

If you want to advance your continuing education, earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and become a nurse practitioner, you may be in school for two to three years.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Wisconsin

These steps outline the general guidelines for becoming a registered nurse in Wisconsin, including the fundamental educational requirements for nurses.

Step 1: Enroll in a Nursing Program

You must enroll in an accredited nursing program, either an ADN program or a BSN program. You may also choose to pursue your master's degree and enroll in an MSN degree program.

The main independent accrediting organizations are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); these ensure programs are held to national standards. Nursing school programs encompass theory coursework, lab skills work, and hands-on clinical practice.

Step 2: Pass the Licensure Exam

After you graduate from your chosen nursing program, you must sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX-RN exam tests four main elements of nursing: health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, psychosocial integrity, and safe and effective care environment. The exam is not graded on a numerical scale; rather, you receive either a passing or failing grade.

Step 3: Apply for Licensure

Once you have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, you need to submit your application to the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). In addition to filling out the registered nurse application, you will need to submit your official transcripts, pay the application fee, and undergo a background check. You can submit your application online.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Wisconsin

All of the following Wisconsin schools offer accredited nursing degree program options. Here, we highlight a variety of ADN and BSN programs, including in-person and online nursing programs.

1. Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College, located in Madison, WI, offers a two-year ADN program. The nursing program emphasizes critical thinking, technical competence, and ethical caregiving.

The 65-credit curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format � partially online and partially in person. Nursing students develop patient care skills in the college's lab and clinical rotations in local healthcare facilities and hospitals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $178 per credit (in-state); $254 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

2. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) is located in Green Bay, WI, and offers a two-year ADN program. The program is delivered in person, and students gain experience in classrooms, simulation labs, and clinical rotations. Clinical experiences take place at local hospitals, long-term care facilities, and healthcare clinics, such as the NEW Clinic.

You may enroll in NWTC's ADN program as a part-time or full-time nursing student. Financial aid is available through scholarships, loans, apprenticeships, and veterans' benefits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $171 per credit (in-state); $247 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Milwaukee Area Technical College

The Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) offers a 65-credit ADN program designed to be completed in two years on a full-time basis. The nursing program focuses on ethics in nursing standards, using theory to support decision-making, functioning as part of a healthcare team to provide safe and effective patient care, and serving diverse populations.

Students at MATC are eligible for financial aid opportunities like loans, grants, and scholarships. Some scholarships are specific to healthcare-focused students, like the Froedtert Memorial Hospital Scholarship.

• Estimated tuition cost: $178 per credit (in-state); $254 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

4. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

The University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (UW-Green Bay) offers a traditional BSN program designed to be completed within four years. The curriculum is delivered mainly in person. Students gain hands-on experience at UW-Green Bay's state-of-the-art labs and local healthcare networks. UW-Green Bay arranges for all of its students' clinical placements.

Financial aid is provided to eligible students through grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. UW-Green Bay encourages its students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,700 per year (in-state); $17,288 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Herzing University

Herzing University provides online nursing education to students across the country; degree programs are supplemented by in-person clinical experiences at Herzing campuses. Herzing University offers an online BSN program option with clinical practices and intensives taking place at its Madison, WI, campus.

All coursework takes place online and is delivered asynchronously, enabling students to complete classes according to their own schedule. Herzing University offers scholarship opportunities to nursing students and military benefits to qualified service members and veterans.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit (in-state); $750 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Wisconsin

The demand for nurses continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be 194,500 new nursing jobs each year for the next decade.

How much you can earn depends on your degree level and chosen healthcare sector. The average annual salary for registered nurses ranges between $66,030 for entry-level jobs and $135,320 for leadership positions. The average median salary is $93,600.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Wisconsin

Below, we'll answer a few frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse in Wisconsin, from nursing program prerequisites to how much a nursing degree costs.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Wisconsin?

There is no simple answer to this question. The cost depends on your chosen program, school, and any transfer credits and financial aid. Broadly speaking, earning your nursing degree in Wisconsin can range from $10,000 for an ADN degree to more than $200,000 for a BSN degree.

Public schools tend to be less expensive than private schools; they also offer reduced tuition rates for in-state students. Earning your ADN or BSN at a technical college or public university will likely be significantly less expensive than a degree from a private university. Online colleges that accept FAFSA also provide great value.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Education prerequisites depend on which nursing degree you are pursuing. For example, an ADN program typically requires a high school diploma or GED, along with high school-level biology and chemistry.

A BSN program has more education prerequisites. These can include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, microbiology, and statistics. If you haven't earned these credits through previous college courses, you can take self-paced nursing prerequisites online. Consider purchasing one of the best laptops for nursing students for your online coursework.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse varies depending on your prior education and experience, along with your career goals. If you already hold an active LVN or LPN license, you can earn your ADN in about one year. Likewise, if you already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, you can take an accelerated BSN path and graduate in 12 to 16 months.

If you have no prior degrees or nursing experience, you can earn your ADN and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam in two years.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

Nursing is a demanding and rewarding career, so nursing degree programs are equally demanding and rewarding. What you might consider the easiest nursing degree depends on your personal preferences and how much prior education you have. Generally speaking, an ADN program is less intensive than a BSN program and can be completed in a shorter amount of time.

Find a Nursing Degree

No matter your nursing career goals, you can find a degree pathway that's right for you. Check out the schools featured on Learn.org and discover which is the right fit for your nursing education journey.