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If you are a registered nurse in Wisconsin and you want to obtain a higher degree – good news!
There are plenty of high-quality Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs suitable for both BSN and ADN-prepared nurses.
Apart from traditional in-person programs, there are also online programs available for students across Wisconsin.
Keep reading to find out more information about RN to MSN programs in Wisconsin.
Table of Contents
RN to MSN Admissions Requirements in Wisconsin
If you want to start an RN to MSN program in Wisconsin, you have to meet certain requirements.
Schools can set different requirements, but there is a set of requirements shared by the majority of schools in Wisconsin.
Those include having a valid, unencumbered professional registered nurse license in Wisconsin.
Only students who have at a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate courses can be admitted.
Upon application, students need to submit a resume with proof of clinical experience, and/or letter of recommendation, and/or personal statement.
To be admitted, students have to complete all prerequisite courses.
Some schools, such as the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh accepts only students who have completed the approved statistic course in the last five years.
RN to MSN Courses
In most of the schools, there are two RN to MSN programs.
One is designed to meet the needs of ADN-prepared nurses, and the other is for BSN nurses.
An educational track for BSN nurses is a bit simpler because these nurses only have to complete the MSN part of the program, while ADN nurses have to obtain a BSN degree and MSN degree simultaneously.
After completing the core courses, students can choose a specialization track.
The specialization tracks for nursing students are Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, etc.
For example, the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee has a wide curriculum which includes courses such as
Comprehensive Assessment of Health, Evidence-Based Care Management, Advanced Pharmacology: Application to Advanced Nursing Practice, Outcomes and Quality Management, and Information Systems for Clinical Decision Making.
The length of the program is different across the school but also depends on students’ commitment and full-time/part-time status.
For example, if you choose the MSN program at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh and a Clinical Nurse Leader specialization track, you can study two years as a full-time student, and three years, as a part-time student.
Online RN to MSN Programs
Working nurses often prefer online education over traditional campus courses.
In Wisconsin, there are quite a few options for online MSN programs.
Online programs are flexible and often, cost less than traditional in-person programs.
However, students who choose online MSN programs are also required to complete clinical requirements, but they can do that in their local areas.
For example, the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh has a CCNE-accredited MSN program conducted fully online.
The program offers tracks for both ADN and BSN-prepared nurses.
The Costs
The tuition for programs in Wisconsin varies across the state and is different for different-level programs.
For example, if you choose a graduate program at Marquette University, you will have to pay $1.170 per credit hours.
On the other hand, students at the MSN program at the Concordia University of Wisconsin have to pay between $526 and $760 per credit hours.
Schools in Wisconsin
There are several options for nurses who want to obtain an MSN degree in Wisconsin.
For example, the Concordia University of Wisconsin in Mequon has both online and traditional programs.
Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin, both located in Milwaukee have campus programs.
The online MSN program is available at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh.University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Check the table for more information on MSN programs in Wisconsin.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Concordia University Wisconsin | 12800 North Lake Shore Drive Mequon, WI 53097 (262) 243-4246 |
| Marquette University | 1250 W Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI 53233 (414) 288-3812 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | 3253 N Downer Ave Milwaukee, WI 53211 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | 800 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh, WI 54901 |
Salary
An average annual salary of a registered nurse, level in Wisconsin is $74,840.
Factors such as location, facility, and experience determine the salary.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $75,200 |
| Madison | $74,770 |
| Green Bay | $72,890 |
| Kenosha | $74,490 |
| Racine | $74,490 |
| Appleton | $72,900 |
| Waukesha | $74,910 |
| Oshkosh | $72,430 |
| Eau Claire | $70,330 |
| Wisconsin Dells | $74,160 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 190 | $119,250 | $57.33 | $137,920 | $99,550 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 200 | $121,690 | $58.5 | $147,360 | $102,700 |
| Green Bay, WI | 290 | $121,640 | $58.48 | $139,820 | $103,440 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 90 | $122,850 | $59.06 | $151,430 | $104,050 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 170 | $119,680 | $57.54 | $131,840 | $107,580 |
| Madison, WI | 640 | $124,210 | $59.72 | $138,230 | $107,850 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 1,630 | $117,320 | $56.41 | $132,890 | $103,120 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 140 | $128,550 | $61.8 | $152,820 | $105,580 |
| Racine, WI | 90 | $116,910 | $56.21 | $134,930 | $103,410 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 100 | $122,080 | $58.69 | $147,000 | $96,550 |
| Wausau, WI | 150 | $125,030 | $60.11 | $146,430 | $102,130 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
RN to MSN Programs by State