The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public institution and part of the University of Wisconsin System. It was established as the Eau Claire State Normal School in 1916. It originally offered courses for educating teachers. It also housed an elementary school and a laboratory school. In the 1940s and 1950s, the school began to broaden its scope to offer additional programs. The university and the campus slowly grew over the decades and now serve over 10,000 students each year. The campus includes 28 academic buildings on 333 acres of land overlooking the Chippewa River. The university also owns an additional 168 acres of forested land that is used for research.
Undergrad and graduate-level programs are offered at the university. These options include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, and ADN programs. The baccalaureate and graduate degree programs are accredited by the CCNE. The university maintains affiliations with over 300 clinical sites, offering students many opportunities for their clinical rotations. The MSN program offers two different specialty tracks. MSN students may choose to concentrate on Adult-Gerontologic Health Nursing or Family Health Nursing. The MSN and DNP programs are designed to be completed in 15 months.
Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) is located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This school was established back in 1913 and it serves around 8000 students currently. This is a technical college that is a part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. Mid-State has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. There are over 60 hands-on programs at Mid-State. Students can pursue many technical degree programs at the college that will lead directly to great employment opportunities.
The Mid-State nursing program has consistently been among the most popular programs at the school. Students will be able to earn associate's in applied science degrees in nursing at Mid-State. The school also has many different transfer opportunities for those who wish to move on to pursue bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Students who have obtained LPN status or who are paramedics can seek advanced placement in the associate’s degree program as well. There are simulation labs and clinical experiences that complement the classroom components of this curriculum. Clinical experiences will take place at local healthcare facilities. The nursing program at Mid-State has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Edgewood College is a private institution in Madison, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1927 as Edgewood Junior College and offered two-year liberal arts degrees. It now offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and 40 minors along with several graduate programs. The average class size is just 15 students while the college has a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio. They have a Career Services Department that helps graduates with job placement. These services include mock interviews and one-on-one job counseling. Edgewood College also belongs to over 30 different associations. The campus includes numerous older buildings and modern facilities. The oldest building on campus is Marshall Hall, which is built on a hillside overlooking the campus.
The Edgewood College Henry Predolin School of Nursing offers a few different nursing programs including traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and MSN programs. These programs are accredited by the CCNE. The college also has a program for earning an associate’s degree in nursing. The school offers students small class sizes with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This ensures that students receive individualized attention. Students also receive hands-on training at a 21st-century clinical simulation lab and through clinical rotations at over 50 clinical agencies in the area, including four hospitals.
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is a public institution in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is also part of the University of Wisconsin System with nine other campuses throughout the state. The Oshkosh State Normal School was established in 1871 and joined the University of Wisconsin System 100 years later. While the campus has expanded through the Oshkosh area, three of buildings on the original school campus are part of the Oshkosh State Normal School Historic District. One of these buildings, Dempsey Hall, serves as the primary administration building on the campus. A variety of undergraduate and graduate programs are offered at the university, which has an annual enrollment of nearly 14,000 students.
The nursing programs offered include traditional BSN, RN to BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, and ADN programs. The baccalaureate and graduate-level degree programs are accredited by the CCNE. The accelerated BSN is offered online and is designed to be completed in 12 months. However, the clinical rotations are completed locally in the student’s home community. While the program is offered online, students need to visit the campus three times during the program. Due to the rigorous schedule and coursework, students are required to give up employment while enrolled in the accelerated program.