Entry-Level ADN BSN Programs in Madison, WI

Few vocations offer the stability and constancy of nursing. It is a job that will be around for the foreseeable future and though it changes all the time, it won’t be outsourced overseas or replaced by advanced technologies anytime soon. If you have ever considered entering this in-demand profession, nursing schools in Madison, Wisconsin offer a range of LPN to RN, ADN, and BSN programs.

LPN to RN Programs

Armed with stellar communications skills and bedside manners, Licensed Practical Nurses or LPNs tend to be the ones who comfort patients and offer assistance after difficult surgeries or procedures. LPNs who want to provide evidence-based patient care can leverage their LPN experience to earn their Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and become an RN. Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in Wisconsin offers a flexible LPN to RN option with evening, online and weekend classes.

ADN Programs

Help hospitals provide quality patient care by becoming a registered nurse. Learn nursing fundamentals and gain clinical knowledge by attending classes at publicly supported Blackhawk Technical College, located about 50 minutes south of Madison, Wisconsin. Recognized as offering one of the best ASN nursing programs in the state, graduates are prepared to test for the NCLEX exam. In fact, program graduates have a 98% pass rate, higher than average.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Healthcare experts recognize that patients receive higher quality of care when treated by a Registered Nurse possessing a bachelor’s degree. As such, more top-tier hospitals and medical centers are requiring that their nurses hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Edgewood College, a liberal arts school, offers a traditional BSN program. Students complete their hands-on clinicals at Madison-area partner hospitals and benefit from one of the lowest instructor-to-student ratios around.  The accredited school primes graduates to take the NCLEX.

Find out more about Wisconsin Accelerated BSN Programs.

Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Madison

Listed below are the top nursing schools in Madison based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Wisconsin out of 36 other accredited programs offered in the state:

  • Edgewood College - #9
SchoolContact Information

Edgewood College

1000 Edgewood College Dr
Madison, WI 53711
(800) 444-4861

Madison Area Tech College

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-6100

University of Wisconsin - Madison

701 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-5200

RN to BSN Programs in Madison, WI

Registered Nurses can put their resumes to the top of the pile when pairing their years of nursing experience with their bachelor’s degree. Accelerated or bridge RN to BSN programs allow working RNs to get ahead in less time and for less of a financial investment. Most programs are offered in an online or blended online to on-campus format.

RN to BSN Programs

Working adults with a nursing background can be assigned greater patient responsibilities – and earn higher wages – by completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students leverage the capabilities of their current place of employment (a hospital or medical center) to carry out clinicals and projects.  Classes are taught by nursing educators who traditionally hold a master’s or doctorate degrees.

Find out more about Wisconsin RN to BSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Madison, WI

The call to lead for some can be as great as the call to serve. As nursing administrators or advanced practice nurses in Madison, WI, you can set the example for other nurses to follow as well as provide elevated patient care. RNs who wish to lead either by entering management or by specializing can find numerous options available to them in master’s degree programs, post-grad certificates or doctorate options.

MSN Programs

Before leading others, experienced nursing professionals must first become proficient in their line of work from performing health assessments to educating patients recovering from surgeries. RNs in good standing who think they are ready to take charge can increase their chances of success by pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing. Cardinal Stritch University located an hour plus outside of Madison, WI offers flexible MSN curriculum face to face and online.

Find out more about Wisconsin Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Post-graduate certificates allow nurses to specialize in the field of work they are most passionate and excited about. The well-regarded University of Wisconsin at Madison offers four certs in Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Psychiatric Mental Health, and School Nursing so nurses with a master’s degree can specialize in months instead of years.

Find out more about Wisconsin Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Taking care of and treating patients provides advanced practice nurses with a sense of pride and accomplishment. However, after years of working in hospitals, these knowledgeable professionals may want to address healthcare-sector issues at the policy level. University of Wisconsin at Madison offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on leadership and policy as well as nursing practice evaluation.

Find out more about Wisconsin DNP Programs.

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Madison, WI

Edgewood College

  • Master's - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online program
    • 48 total credits
    • 3-year completion time
    • Full/part-time options
    • DNP pathway available
    • RN licensure required
    • 3.0 minimum GPA
    • Flexible course scheduling
  • Master's - Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • CCNE-accredited program
    • Psychiatric Mental Health focus
    • 51 credits
    • 3 years (full-time)
    • Part-time option available
    • Fully online
    • Two program tracks
    • MSN or MSN to DNP
  • Graduate Certificate - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate

    Online Learning - Website

    • Virtual program format
    • 15-27 credit curriculum
    • Certification exam preparation
    • Focuses on 13+ patient population
    • Advanced clinical skills training
    • Diverse population management
    • Requires MSN or DNP degree
    • 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
  • Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Graduate Certificate

    Online Learning - Website

    • Virtual learning format
    • 12-24 credit program
    • For Master's-prepared nurses
    • 9 specialized nursing courses
    • Advanced clinical practicums
    • MSN or DNP degree required
    • RN licensure mandatory
    • Certification exam preparation
  • Graduate Certificate - Perioperative Leadership Graduate Certificate

    Concentration: Perioperative Leadership - Online Learning - Website

    • 15-credit virtual graduate certificate
    • Focuses on perioperative leadership
    • Requires 3.0 undergraduate GPA
    • Active RN license required
    • Five specialized nursing courses
    • AONL competency framework
    • Management skills development
    • Professional leadership practicum
  • Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Executive Leadership - Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online DNP program
    • 30 total credits
    • Completed in 2 years full-time
    • Focuses on executive leadership
    • 500-1000 hour practicum experience
    • Global virtual learning format
    • Prepares for nurse executive certification
    • Full and part-time options available

University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Graduate Certificate - Nurse Educator Certificate

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 9 graduate-level credits
    • Online/blended delivery format
    • 1-2 year completion time
    • For DNP/PhD nursing students
    • NLN Certification eligible
    • RN license required
    • Minimum 3.0 MS GPA
    • Three core curriculum courses
  • Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Psychiatric Nursing Capstone Certificate

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 18-month hybrid program
    • 18 graduate-level credits
    • Resident tuition $670.47/credit
    • Advanced practice nursing focus
    • Mental health service preparation
    • Campus and online learning
    • Taught by board-certified faculty
    • Small cohort learning environment
  • Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Population Health Nursing - Online Learning - Website

    • Online doctoral nursing program
    • 3-year commitment
    • $1,150 per credit
    • 58 graduate credits
    • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
    • RN license required
    • Professional experience needed
    • Fall term admission
  • Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Systems Leadership and Innovation - Online Learning - Website

    • Online doctoral nursing program
    • 3-year flexible completion
    • 58 graduate credits required
    • $1,150 per credit tuition
    • Requires RN license
    • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
    • Systems leadership focus
    • Working professional friendly
  • Doctorate - Nursing Practice, DNP

    Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program delivery
    • PNCB Primary Care Pediatric NP certification
    • Post-BS 68 credits, Post-MS 51 credits
    • 3.0 minimum GPA required
    • RN license and professional experience needed
    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • GRE not required
    • Fall admission only
  • Doctorate - Nursing Practice: Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid course delivery
    • ANCC Adult-Gerontology NP certification
    • 68 post-BS credits required
    • 3 letters of recommendation needed
    • One year nursing experience required
    • RN license prerequisite
    • Graduate assistantships available
    • Flexible post-BS and post-MS options
  • Doctorate - Nursing Practice: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program delivery
    • 68 total credit requirement
    • 3.0 minimum GPA
    • RN license required
    • One year nursing experience
    • ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health NP certification track
    • Graduate School minimum requirements
    • Advanced clinical practicum
*Institutional characteristics data extracted from IPEDS 2023, NCES.