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RN to MSN Programs in Wisconsin

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Online RN to MSN Programs in Wisconsin

We found two Wisconsin universities with online RN to MSN programs: one private and one public. Each program is unique, but you can use the profiles in our school listings to get a sense of the concentrations, costs, and admissions requirements. Here are a few more points to bear in mind:

  • Concordia University-Wisconsin: CUW does not accept new students from certain states—see the RN-BSN-MSN program page for a complete list of exceptions. In addition, Washington, D.C. students are required to do their clinicals in Virginia. If you’re eyeing the NP concentrations, be aware that they have on-campus requirements. Online NP students are expected to attend a mandatory, one-day orientation and complete a two-week Advanced Health Assessment course on CUW’s campus (early January or late June).
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: Almost all of UWO’s RN to BSN to MSN is 100% online, but new MSN students will be expected to attend a mandatory College of Nursing Graduate Program orientation session on campus. In addition, it appears that the first part of the program (BSN@Home) is only open to Wisconsin residents. Check with the program coordinator to be sure this is correct.

Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Wisconsin

Our ranking of the most affordable Wisconsin RN to MSN programs was calculated using per credit graduate tuition rates. But it’s just an estimate! Each program in our school listings has a different number of total credits, different fee structures, and even different rates. For example, CUW and UWO have separate rates for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Think about the total budget.

  1. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO): In-State (Out-of-State is much higher)—View Tuition Rates
  2. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM): In-State (Out-of-State is much higher)—View Tuition Rates
  3. Concordia University-Wisconsin: View Tuition Rate

Considering UWM’s program but live out-of-state? UWM takes part in a Minnesota Reciprocity program and the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). As far as we can determine, the MN degree qualifies for the MSEP rate.

Wisconsin’s Healthcare Landscape

On the face of it, Wisconsin has a fairly straightforward healthcare story:

  • Low capita public health funding and excessive drinking might concern the data analysts at America’s Health Rankings, but the state also has a high percentage of insured residents and a decreasing child poverty rate.
  • Wisconsin often receives an excellent grade from the annual U.S. Rural Health Report Card thanks—in part—to low mortality rates and good insurance coverage.
  • In the BCBS Health Index Map, most of the state—with the exception of a few counties—is usually a lovely shade of blue.

Even the drug wars are seeing improvements. The opioid epidemic hit Wisconsin hard, peaking in 2017 with 926 overdose deaths (16.9 deaths per 100,000 persons). In response, the state launched a collective effort to tackle the public health crisis. By 2018, overdose deaths had dropped by 10%.

The big challenge is Milwaukee. In 2018, 24/7 Wall Street ranked it #2 on the list of The Worst Cities for Black Americans. The average black household in the city earns less than half of the average white household. Unemployment and incarceration rates are disproportionate. And the black poverty rate can be among the highest in the country.

The result is poorer health. In 2018, a report from WISN 12 News showed a huge disparity. Life expectancy averages in the poorest neighborhoods in the city could be 12 years below the richest zip codes. Higher rates of premature births, infant mortality deaths, and a lack of access to quality housing and healthy foods were just some of the issues in play. In 2019, Milwaukee County declared racism a public health crisis and vowed to fight it.

Jobs for Wisconsin RN to MSN Graduates

Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates

In other words, Wisconsin APRNs should find plenty of opportunities to exercise their skills in community health, especially in urban areas. If you’d like to get a sense of other hotspots, have a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) pages on Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary. The employment and wage maps are always enlightening.

For instance, you’ll notice that the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan area employs over a 1/3 of the state’s NPs, while the rest of the areas (e.g. Madison, Green Bay, etc.) are often in the range of 10%. The same pattern holds true for nurse educators. Milwaukee is the undisputed leader, with Madison in a distant second.

  • Considering a job in a hospital setting? U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the Best Hospitals in Wisconsin and the ANCC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Wisconsin will direct you toward some of the stars (e.g. Froedtert, Aurora St. Luke’s, UW Health, etc.).
  • Hoping to assist in rural areas? The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH) has details on various education loan repayment options for Wisconsin nurses & physicians.
  • Eyeing the Nurse Educator concentrations in our school listings? ANEW and WNA have been concerned about the growing nursing faculty shortage for quite some time. They’ve been pushing hard for the state government to fund scholarships & loan repayment programs for the MSN and DNP. Check with the WNA to see if any of those efforts have come to pass.

Finally, we want to direct you toward WHA’s comprehensive and helpful Workforce Reports and the WHA Info Center. Reading the reports will give you a sense of projected trends, shortages, and vacancy rates across Wisconsin.

Career Resources for Future APRNs

Wisconsin Nursing Job Boards

Wisconsin APRN Salary & Wage Data

Wisconsin Nursing Organizations

APRN Licensure

WI Nursing Associations & Coalitions

WI Nursing Specialty Organizations

Note: Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) posts NCLEX pass rates and a list of state-approved nursing schools on its website. NCLEX pass rates can be a useful benchmark of a College of Nursing’s quality.

Wisconsin RN to MSN School Listings

4 Schools Found

Concordia University-Wisconsin

School of Nursing

Mequon, Wisconsin

RN-BSN-MSN - Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN-BSN-MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN-BSN-MSN - Nurse Educator

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

CUW is a private Lutheran university in Mequon and an affiliate of the nine-member Concordia University System. That means the university and the School of Nursing are known for having a Christian focus. NCLEX pass rates are good and the College name is respected. According to U.S. News & World Report data, the online graduate nursing programs have a competitive acceptance rate (e.g. lower than 50%) and a respectable graduation rate (e.g. ~75% after four years). Most of the coursework is taught by part-time faculty. MSN students are responsible for finding their own preceptors, but CUW's program provides graduates students with a range of networking opportunities (e.g. campus residency, international trip, etc.). The College has some funds to support the global travel experience, but it also offers Uncommon Scholarships to employees of corporate & academic partners, Concordia alumni, and employees of qualifying Christian schools and churches. Nursing alumni on independent review sites seem pretty happy with their experience. Reviewers say the programs are rigorous, professors are passionate and helpful, online classes are interesting and versatile, and graduates are well-prepared for exams.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

As the title suggests, this online program is intended to help RNs earn a BSN on their way toward a master's degree. Candidates should have an ADN from an accredited nursing school, current licensure as an RN in the United States, and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. No GRE scores are required. The application must also include a current resume, formal admission essay, and 2-3 letters of recommendation. Once admitted, RN-BSN-MSN students tackle a series of undergraduate courses in nursing and liberal arts, including theology. Credits can be transferred, but a minimum of 36 credits must be taken at Concordia. Students can earn the BSN portion is as little as 18 months. If you wish, you can exit at the BSN level. Or you can continue to the MSN. This will take 3-4.5 years, depending on your level of commitment. The MSN program page has sample course calendars. Almost all of the coursework is online, but the 41-credit NP concentrations will include a mandatory on-campus orientation (1 day) and a 2-week on-campus residency for the Advanced Health Assessment course. NP students can also choose to participate in an international trip that focuses on Global Perspectives.

Herzing University

School of Nursing

Brookfield, Wisconsin | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Madison, Wisconsin

RN to BSN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to BSN to MSN - Nursing Education

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to BSN to MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to BSN to MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nursing Education

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

Herzing is a private, non-profit university that's based in Minnesota. However it offers its online RN to MSN & RN-BSN-MSN programs through multiple campuses, including 3 in Wisconsin that also offer brick & mortar nursing training to undergraduates. Each campus will have partnerships with local WI hospitals and healthcare employers - ask the MSN program coordinator about where WI students usually end up completing their practicums and the PMHNP 16-week internship.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

WI applicants to Herzing's programs should have an associate degree (ADN/ASN/AASN) or a diploma in nursing from a nationally or regionally accredited institution and a current, active & unencumbered RN license in Wisconsin. You'll also be asked to participate in an admissions interview so Herzing can assess whether the program matches your goals. All of the coursework is 100% online & asynchronous, with no mandatory log-in times. On average, RN to MSN tracks might take 20-24 months; RN-BSN-MSN pathways can last 28-32 months. Best of all, Herzing has a clinical placement pledge - it expects you to look for your own preceptors & sites for clinicals, but it will step in and secure you one if you're stuck.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

College of Nursing

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

RN to MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

UWM is a public urban research university in Milwaukee with the largest College of Nursing in Wisconsin. That means it has ties to plenty of clinical agency sites and healthcare partners (e.g. Aurora Health Care, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, House of Peace, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, etc.). More than 75% of nursing faculty are funded by public or private entities for their nursing research and the College also runs a number of interesting centers (e.g. Institute for Urban Health Partnerships (IUHP), Center for Global Health Equity, etc.). Plus nursing scholarships are available for graduate students. Because the College is so big, you'll find lots of discussions about the pros and cons of UWM's programs on independent review sites and message boards. Many of these reviews are referring to the BSN program (which tends to have some of the lowest NCLEX pass rates in Wisconsin), so you may want to contact CNL alumni and visit the campus for a more focused picture.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

This program is tailor-made for RNs who wish to earn a BS before earning the MN ("Master of Nursing") in CNL. Candidates should have an associate degree in nursing, a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on any undergraduate coursework (minimum grade of B- in all nursing courses), and current registration as a professional nurse in Wisconsin. For the MN portion of the degree, UWM will also want to see 3 letters of recommendation and an autobiographical sketch. Successful applicants will begin by taking 64 credits of undergraduate non-nursing courses and 30 credits of advanced nursing courses. The nursing courses will be at the 400-level and 700-level, including 9 graduate credits that can be applied to the MN. At least 30 credits of previous coursework can be transferred from the ADN; check with the program coordinator about further transfers. The remainder of the MN portion will be 33 credits, including practicums and an MN residency.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

College of Nursing

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

RN to BSN to MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to BSN to MSN - Nurse Educator

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

UWO is a public university in Oshkosh and the third largest university in Wisconsin. The College of Nursing has been in existence for over 50 years and it often achieves outstanding pass rates (e.g. 95-99% on the NCLEX and 100% on the CNL certification exam). It's also the first College to offer a doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program in Wisconsin. Better yet, the online BSN@Home has been tried and tested. The program won an UPCEA Celebration of Excellence Award for Mature Program in 2016 and BSN and MSN alumni are active in the community. There aren't as many reviews of UWO as there are of UWM, so you may wish to chat to recent graduates about their experience. The comments that we did see about UWO were glowing. One reviewer said MSN faculty always provided clear guidelines and objectives within the online coursework. Another said the staff truly cared about their successes.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

UWO's online program is open to RNs with an associate degree or a diploma from an accredited school of nursing. Students in this program complete their BSN through UW Oshkosh's BSN@Home and apply to the MSN in their first undergraduate semester. In order to accelerate the learning process, students may take a few MSN-level courses as electives in their last year of the bachelor's portion. To apply for BSN@Home, candidates must have Wisconsin RN licensure, a combined GPA of 2.5 or higher, and be a resident of Wisconsin. Certain undergraduate prerequisites are also required. Overall, the BSN might take 3 years to complete - students work closely with their BSN@Home advisors to fulfill all requirements and transfer credits. The length of the MSN will depend on how many graduate credits you've already earned and your choice of concentration. All BSN@Home and MSN coursework is online, but the MSN includes practicums in a workplace setting. And all new students must attend a mandatory College of Nursing Graduate Program orientation session on campus.

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