As a healthcare professional, you know how quickly the latest trends in healthcare change. You’re dedicated to providing your patients with top-notch nursing care, and keeping up with your continuing education requirements is an important part of your career.
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If you’re invested in learning more about direct patient care, earning your doctorate of nursing practice, or DNP degree, may be a good fit for you. The DNP is an advanced nursing degree that certifies you as an expert in your field. Many nurses who earn their DNP go on to become leaders within their organization, either for other nurses or at the administrative level.
Most nurses who choose to further their education to the doctorate level choose to earn their DNP rather than their Ph.D. in nursing. While both degrees are valuable and respected, a Ph.D. in nursing is researched-based and prepares nurses to enter nurse research or nurse education positions. A DNP degree stays focused on patient care, making nurses standouts in their fields.
SEE ALSO: Wisconsin DNP Salary
In Wisconsin, many schools offer DNP degrees in a way that fits in with the demands of the busy schedule of a full-time nurse. Many schools offer the option to complete the program online. Other schools offer hybrid programs, in which you’ll be able to complete some of your classes online while completing others in a traditional classroom environment. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular DNP programs in Wisconsin.
1. Marquette University
Marquette University created the first DNP program in Wisconsin in 2008 and has produced many leaders in the field. While much of the work in Marquette’s DNP program is completed in the classroom, some classes combine online and traditional classroom work. This program is available both to students who have their BSN and to students who have already completed their MSN.
- Campus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $1,200 per credit, the total number of credits will depend on the student’s prior education and specialty.
- Minimum time commitment: Three years
- Online availability: Some
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 and an RN license.
- Programs: Students may choose from several specialties, including clinical nurse leadership, nurse-midwifery, health care systems leadership, pediatric primary care nursing, pediatric acute care nursing, and adult/ older adult acute care nursing.
- School Site: Marquette University – Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
2. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
At University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, students are prepared to become leaders in the nursing field. The program combines online and in-classroom learning, making this a great fit for nurses who thrive with traditional education but also need some flexibility due to a busy work schedule. This program is available both to students who have their BSN and to students who have already completed their MSN.
- Campus: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $520 per credit for in-state students, $1,100 per credit for out-of-state students. The total number of credits will depend on the student’s prior education and specialty.
- Minimum time commitment: One year
- Online availability: Some
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0, and an RN license.
- Programs: Students may specialize in becoming a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a nurse administrator.
- School Site: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire – Doctor of Nursing Practice
3. University of Wisconsin – Madison
At University of Wisconsin – Madison, students get to enjoy both traditional and online education and may choose from a variety of specialties. Each specialty is offered both to become a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist in the field. This program is available both to students who have their BSN and to students who have already completed their MSN.
- Campus: Madison, Wisconsin
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $1,250 per credit for in-state students, $2,250 per credit for out-of-state students. The total number of credits will depend on the student’s prior education and specialty.
- Minimum time commitment: Three years
- Online availability: Some
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.5, an RN license, and be certified as an APRN.
- Programs: Students may specialize in adult/ gerontology nursing, pediatric nursing, or psychiatric/ mental health nursing. Students also have the option to take courses that will prepare them to become nurse educators.
- School Site: University of Wisconsin – Madison – Doctor of Nursing Practice
4. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee offers DNP students the option of several clinical advanced practice tracks, as well as two non-clinical tracks. The non-clinical track makes the DNP program a great fit for nurses who want to continue to positively affect patients, but no longer want to provide direct patient care. This program is available both to students who have their BSN and to students who have already completed their MSN.
- Campus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $1,300 per credit for in-state students, $2,150 per credit for out-of-state students. The total number of credits will depend on the student’s prior education and specialty.
- Minimum time commitment:
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 2.75 and must have completed a statistics course within five years of the application date.
- Programs: Students may choose from several specialties, including family nursing, adult clinical nursing, childbearing nursing (including maternal and infant care), pediatric nursing, psychiatric/ mental health nursing, systems leadership, and community health.
- School Site: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee – BS to DNP