ADN Programs Milwaukee, WI

Nurses are essential to the delivery of patient care within the health care system. They work with physicians and other health care practitioners to promote health, restore wellness and, prevent disease. They function as patient advocates, educators, managers of care, counselors, researchers, and leaders. The Associate Degree in Nursing program integrates the art of nursing with sciences to prepare adults for national licensure to practice as a registered nurse. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree also prepares adults for the licensure exam but requires a much longer course of study. The reduced time and financial constraints are just two reasons prospective nurses choose the ADN route. However, the BSN will give nurses an opportunity to advance their careers and hold a greater role and function in the interdisciplinary health care team.

According to the Wisconsin Center for Nursing (WCN), the nursing shortage will escalate to 43 percent if new nurses are not consistently added. The workforce needs approximately 7,500 new graduates annually to keep up with health care demands and alleviate a future crisis. While employers are still hiring ADN graduates, many expect employees to have a plan for completing the BSN within the first two to threes years of commencing practice.

Milwaukee Area Technical College

The Nursing – Associate Degree offered by Milwaukee Area Technical College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The program will include theory and lab practice on campus. These extensive sessions will provide the foundation for the supervised clinical sessions at various health care facilities. The sessions will include both simulation and direct practice that will reinforce the classroom instruction and equip students with the technical skills to practice as a Registered Nurse. Instructors will emphasize ethics in practice, effective communication, application of evidence-based clinical decisions, use of technology to manage data, and minimizing errors in practice. Graduates should be able to reflect integrity and ethics in practice, care and advocate for patients, demonstrate written, verbal, and nonverbal communication, care for diverse populations of patients, minimize risks to patients and other health care practitioners, function as an effective member of the health care team, and integrate pharmacology, physical, and other sciences in the clinical decision-making process. Graduates will also be eligible to take the RN licensure exam (NCLEX-RN).

Program Outline

Semester credits: 70

Duration: 4 semesters

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

General Education Courses – Economics, Communication Skills I, Communication Skills II, General Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Biochemistry, Microbiology, Development Psychology, Contemporary American Society, Elective

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Management, Nursing Complex Health Alterations, Nursing Health Community Concepts, Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice, Nursing Advanced Skills, Nursing Complex Health Alterations II, Nursing Management Concepts, Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Clinical Transition

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application to MATC online
  • Pay the application fee
  • Complete the online student orientation
  • Submit official high school transcripts and any applicable college transcripts
  • Register for and take any prerequisite courses
  • Complete the NLN exam and earn a score of 100 or better
  • Attend a mandatory orientation
  • Complete the required CastleBranch documents
  • Complete a criminal background check, drug test, and health records

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $1,851.60 per semester for full-time students. The cost covers 12 credit hours of study. Students wishing to take 15 credits per semester will pay $2,314.50.

Mount Mary University

Mount Mary University offers a Nursing 1-2-1 Partnership through combined resources with Milwaukee Area Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, and Waukesha County Technical College. This partnership lets students complete an Associate Degree in Nursing, followed by a seamless transition to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The duration of the program is 4 years. The collaboration is designed to address the nursing shortage and the need for advanced nurses to meet the rising complexities in health care. Graduates will be prepared to provide safe and consistent care to individuals, families, and communities in diverse health care settings, demonstrate competence and compassion as they collaborate with the health care team, commit to excellence in care, ensure patient safety, think critically and creatively as they use evidenced-based practice, and commit to lifelong learning.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 70

Duration: 4 semesters

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

Prerequisite Courses – Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, Introduction to College Writing, Introduction to Psychology

General Education Courses – Economics, Communication Skills I, Communication Skills II, General Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Introductory Biochemistry, Microbiology, Development Psychology, Contemporary American Society, Elective

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Management, Nursing Complex Health Alterations, Nursing Health Community Concepts, Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice, Nursing Advanced Skills, Nursing Complex Health Alterations II, Nursing Management Concepts, Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Clinical Transition

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application to MMU online
  • Pay the application fee
  • Complete the online student orientation
  • Submit official high school transcripts and any applicable college transcripts
  • Have a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Have an ACT composite score of 18 or higher
  • Register for and take any prerequisite courses
  • Complete the NLN exam and earn a score of 100 or better
  • Attend a mandatory orientation
  • Complete the required CastleBranch documents
  • Complete a criminal background check, drug test, and health records

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $1,851.60 per semester for full-time students (enrolled in the ADN at MATC). The cost covers 12 credit hours of study. Students wishing to take 15 credits per semester will pay $2,314.50.

  • Website: https://mtmary.edu/index.html
  • Address: 2900 North Menomonee River Pkwy, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
  • Phone: (414) 930-3000
  • NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Waukesha County Technical College

The Associate Degree in Nursing program at Waukesha County Technical College is offered on a part-time and full-time basis. The program includes on-campus theory and practical skills lab, clinical practice in various health care facilities, and online delivery of select courses. The school’s high tech Human Patient Simulator Lab will give students opportunities to develop technical skills on campus in preparation for the clinical experiences in modern health care facilities. Students have the option to receive a Practical Nursing Certificate after the second semester of core technical courses and take the LPN exam to work as an LPN while continuing their studies. New students are admitted in the fall and spring semesters. Students are admitted using the petition process. Applicants may qualify for credit for prior learning. WCTC has one of the highest pass rates on the NCLEX in southeastern Wisconsin.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 65

Duration: 3 years – based on full-time attendance

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

General Education Courses – English Composition, Oral/Interpersonal Communication Speech, Gen Anatomy & Physiology, Advanced Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Management, Nursing Complex Health Alterations, Nursing Health Community Concepts, Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice, Nursing Advanced Skills, Nursing Complex Health Alterations II, Nursing Management Concepts, Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Clinical Transition

Admission criteria:

  • Submit an application to WCTC online
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $30
  • Complete the online student orientation
  • Submit official high school transcripts and any applicable college transcripts
  • Attend a program planning session
  • Register for and take any prerequisite courses
  • Complete the NLN exam and earn a composite score of 100 or better
  • Must have current BLS certification
  • Attend a mandatory orientation
  • Complete the required CastleBranch documents
  • Complete a criminal background check, drug test, and health records

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $136.50 per credit for Wisconsin residents. Additional fees for material, activities, online courses, and student accident insurance will apply. Students will need to purchase textbooks, uniforms, and nursing supplies for the program.

Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College prepares adults for a rewarding career in nursing. The extensive training and preparation are designed to produce exceptional nurses capable of success on the State Board Exam and in practice at various health care facilities. Outstanding instructors will guide students in the classroom and during supervised clinical experiences in the field. Part-time and full-time training options are available. Students have the option to take the exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse after completing the first two semesters. They will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses after completing four semesters of nursing courses. Licensed practical nurses with active licensure and years of experience in nurse may apply for advanced placement based on their prior learning and experience.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 65

Duration: 4 semesters

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

General Education Courses – Written Communication, General Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Speech, Microbiology Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Development Psychology

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Management, Nursing Complex Health Alterations I, Nursing Health Community Concepts, Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice, Nursing Advanced Skills, Nursing Complex Health Alterations II, Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Clinical Transition

Admission criteria:

  • Create a login and submit an application online
  • Submit current high school transcripts
  • Meet the official scores for the placement assessment – Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or Compass
  • Attend a petitioning meeting
  • Complete the required courses with a grade C or better – Chemistry, Written Communication, General Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Nursing Assistant
  • Complete and pass the TEAS for Nursing Students
  • Submit a completed Petition Form and all the petitioning documents
  • Complete a Criminal Background Check
  • Submit proof of health insurance

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $10,902 for the program. Students will need to purchase textbooks, uniforms, and nursing supplies for the program. Financial assistance is available to eligible students. High achieving nursing students may be eligible for aid through the Nancy B. Parker Scholars program.

Bryant & Stratton College

The Nursing associate degree at Bryant & Stratton College combines classroom theory, laboratory sessions, and clinical experiences to prepare students for entry-level employment as a registered nurse. The curriculum will support the development of professional nurses capable of providing safe and patient-centered care in various health care settings. Clinical decision-making, telecommunications technology, clinical simulations, and computer-aided instruction are just a few of the foundational concepts used in the program. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. All students must take the NCLEX-RN review course at the end of the program.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 72

Duration: 4 semesters

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

General Education Courses – Introduction to Information Literacy, Public Speaking and Rhetorical Persuasion, Research and Writing I, Research and Writing II, College Mathematics: Quantitative Reasoning, Practices in Analytic Reasoning and Critical Thinking, Principles of Psychology

Core Courses – Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology Applications, Pathophysiology, Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals, Lifespan Development and Nursing Practice, Family Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Pharmacology for Nursing, Geriatric and Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Nursing Issues, Leadership and Research, Nursing Internship

Admission criteria:

  • Submit a completed application for admission to the college
  • Submit official high school transcript or GED
  • Attend an interview with the Nursing Program Director
  • Take and pass the English and Mathematics placement evaluations
  • Take and pass the TEAS with a score no lower than the 40th national percentile
  • Provide documentation of a recent physical exam, drug screen, and other required lab test result
  • Submit to a criminal background check
  • Complete a health history by a physical, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
  • Provide proof of vaccination or lab report of titer for – MMR, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza
  • Complete an acceptable TB test or chest x-ray
  • Provide evidence of current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR and AED certification
  • Maintain health care insurance coverage
  • Obtain a negative drug screen whenever a screen is required

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $9,315 per semester, and the per credit amount is $621. There are additional fees, such as lab fees for specific nursing courses, textbooks, registration, transport, technology, and technical fees.

Fox Valley Technical College

The associate degree in nursing program at Fox Valley Technical College covers nursing fundamentals as well as advancements in healthcare technology to prepare adults for a career as a registered nurse. Students will learn how to care for persons of varying ages and diverse cultures. Hands-on training in a skills lab and at various health care facilities will foster the development of technical skills, such as medication administration, health assessment, clinical decision-making, teamwork, and use of evidence-based practice. Experienced instructors will also emphasize drug classification, health promotion, disease prevention, patient-centered care, communication, and lifelong learning. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 70

Duration: 4 semesters

Method of instruction: Residential

Course titles:

General Education Courses – English Composition I, General Anatomy and Physiology, Development Psychology, Oral/Interpersonal Communication, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology

Electives – Holistic Health for Health Care Providers, Medical Law, Ethics & Profess, Healing the Dying, Medical Terminology, People Skills for Health Professionals

Core Courses – Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing: Introduction to Clinical Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Care Management, Nursing Complex Health Alterations I, Nursing Mental Health Communication Concepts, Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice, Nursing Advanced Skills, Nursing Complex Health Alterations II, Nursing Management and Professional Concepts, Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Clinical Transition

Admission criteria:

  • Apply for admission online and pay the application fee of $30
  • Complete the TEAS and earn a composite score of 58.7 or higher – TEAS fee is $65
  • Complete TEAS Interpretation with Counseling and Advising Services
  • Submit official high school and any college transcripts to Enrollment Services
  • Read, sign and submit the Nursing Technical Standards form to Enrollment Services
  • Complete the FVTC Orientation online
  • Sign up to attend the New Student Registration (NSR)
  • Apply for Financial Aid
  • Have at least one credit of high school Chemistry or General Chemistry (grade C or higher)
  • Be in current, active status on the WI Nurse Aide Registry – must have completed an approved nursing assistant course
  • Complete the minimum course requirements for petitioning – English Composition I, Intro to Psychology, General Anatomy and Physiology, Oral/Interpersonal Communication, Developmental Psychology, Intro to Sociology, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology
  • Complete all required coursework with a grade C or better
  • Submit to a criminal background check
  • Complete a health history by a physical, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
  • Provide proof of vaccination or lab report of titer for – MMR, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza
  • Complete an acceptable TB test or chest x-ray
  • Provide evidence of current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR and AED certification
  • Maintain health care insurance coverage

Program Cost:

Tuition costs $154.65 per credit for Wisconsin residents. Additional costs will include textbooks, fees, graduation, testing fees, uniforms, supplies, insurance, and transport to the clinical sites.

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.