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Registered nurses (RNs) are in demand across Wisconsin, and RN jobs are growing at a faster rate than the national average of 7%. In 2020, nurses in Wisconsin took home an annual mean wage of more than $73,000.
If nursing in a state with high salaries and strong job growth appeals to you, keep reading to learn how to become an RN in Wisconsin.
Individuals seeking a Wisconsin nursing license must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Professionals with an Enhanced Nurse Licensing Compact multistate license do not need to obtain a Wisconsin RN license.
You must attend an approved program and earn a two-year ADN or four-year BSN degree. While it is quicker and cheaper to earn an ADN, BSN-holders enjoy more career options and mobility.
The NCLEX-RN assesses skills and knowledge related to nursing practice, health promotion, and the legal and ethical aspects of nursing. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing requires candidates to pass the exam before they earn a Wisconsin nursing license.
Hospitals collectively employ 63,630 nurses in Wisconsin. The state is home to large academic medical centers in addition to smaller suburban and rural facilities.
Learn More About Hospitals in Wisconsin
Consider earning an MSN to become a nurse practitioner or administrator. You might also explore specialty certification options. Many schools offer accelerated bridge programs for BSN-holders.
To renew your Wisconsin RN license, you must respond to the Nursing Workforce Survey, fill out an application, pay a $73 fee, and submit your renewal form by February 28 in even-numbered years. Unlike most states, Wisconsin does not require continuing education for renewal.
The Complete Guide to How to Become a Registered NurseThe Wisconsin Board of Nursing oversees nursing licensure applications and renewals, maintaining a list of approved nursing schools, approving refresher courses for license renewal after five years or more of expiration, examining reported violations, and determining appropriate disciplinary action.
Wisconsin participates in the Enhanced Nursing License Compact (NLC), and the Board provides information on the compact and participating states’ current statuses. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing also oversees the Professional Assistance Procedure. This program gives nurses struggling with substance abuse the chance to continue practicing without public discipline if they meet certain requirements.
Nurses may obtain a Wisconsin RN license by examination or endorsement.
New nurses earn licensure by examination and take the NCLEX-RN, while licensure by endorsement is for out-of-state nurses who want a Wisconsin RN license.
Wisconsin participates in the NLC, which allows nurses from other participating states to practice in Wisconsin without obtaining a new license. Nurses who are licensed in non-NLC states must apply for a Wisconsin nursing license but do not need to take the NCLEX-RN again.
Collapsed Expand AllNurses from states that participate in the NLC may work in Wisconsin without earning a Wisconsin RN license. Out-of-state nurses from non-NLC states must apply for a Wisconsin nursing license.
If you hold a current nursing license from another state that does not participate in the NLC, you must apply for a Wisconsin nursing license by endorsement.
Unlike most states, Wisconsin does not require nurses to complete continuing education credits before renewing their Wisconsin nursing license. However, some employers do require it, or expect nurses to periodically complete professional development programs.
You must renew your Wisconsin RN license every two years, by February 28 in even-numbered years. You can fill out the form and find mailing instructions online.
In Wisconsin, the median nursing salary was $74,760, slightly below the national median of $75,330, and the state’s cost of living is lower than the national figure. Job growth rates in Wisconsin appear promising over the next decade, and nurse employment is high. Only 1.3% of nurses statewide are unemployed and looking for work.
In metropolitan areas, higher costs of living generally translate to more competition between employers and higher salaries for RNs. Median salaries are highest in Madison and remain above the state median in the Milwaukee and La Crosse metropolitan areas. The median RN salary is slightly lower in smaller metropolitan regions like Racine and Oshkosh.
| Metropolitan Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Madison | $80,820 |
| Milwaukee – Waukesha – West Allis | $75,980 |
| La Crosse – Onalaska | $74,680 |
| Racine | $71,760 |
| Oshkosh – Neenah | $71,380 |
U.S. News & World Report develops annual hospital rankings based on factors like outcomes, patient experience, staffing ratios (including nurse-to-patient ratios), and expert physician opinions. The following facilities are the top-ranked hospitals for Wisconsin.
To meet the Wisconsin nursing license requirements, you must earn an ADN or BSN degree from an approved school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and fill out an application. Applicants may not have a criminal record or record of misconduct that could put patients at risk.
An ADN degree takes two years to complete, while a BSN takes four years. If you hold a recent bachelor degree in another subject or advanced placement credits, you may be able to finish a BSN more quickly through a bridge program. While it is possible to get a Wisconsin nursing license with just an ADN, many employers prefer hiring BSN-holders, especially for higher-level positions.
If you have a multistate Wisconsin nursing license, you can practice in any states that participate in the Nursing Licensure Compact. Unlike a regular Wisconsin RN license, the multistate license application process includes a background check with fingerprinting.
The initial application costs $88 and renewal costs $73. Unlike most other states, Wisconsin does not require continuing professional education for renewal, so it may cost less to maintain a license in Wisconsin. However, many employers require or strongly encourage ongoing professional education.
