WCN Welcomes the New Year with a Look Back at 2025
As the Wisconsin Center for Nursing enters into the new year, please enjoy some of the many highlights related to our work and mission to ensure an adequate, well-prepared and diverse nurse workforce for the people of Wisconsin.
Collaboration and Research
Many nurses are not aware that the survey that they complete at the time of their license renewal provides the data that informs nursing workforce initiatives for Wisconsin. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and the Department of Workforce Development the collected data is analyzed by our research teams and is used to guide Wisconsin’s nursing workforce initiatives.
Check out these reports completed and published in 2025:
Education & Outreach
Throughout the year WCN had a great time meeting, thanking and informing nurses about their contribution to the nursing survey reports and Wisconsin’s nursing workforce initiatives.
WNA Nurses Day at the Capitol reached over 1100 nurses who attended to learn about national and state health policy issues impacting nursing practice, education and healthcare delivery.
Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Leaders Annual Meeting is always a great way to connect with nurse leaders from multiple healthcare systems across the state.
Leadership & Connection
The 15th Annual WCN Nursing Workforce Conference “Strategies for Strengthening Our Wisconsin Nursing Workforce” was held October 17 at the Ingleside Conference Center in Pewaukee. The conference brought together nurse clinicians, educators, healthcare leaders, and statewide stakeholders. Wisconsin nursing workforce strategies discussed included international staffing, implementation of an RN apprenticeship program, improved staffing in Long Term Care, policies impacting the state nursing workforce, and innovations in care delivery using technology.
SAVE THE DATE
2026 Annual WCN Nursing Workforce Conference
August 7, 2026 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center
Wisconsin Dells
Nursing Workforce Advocacy
2025 saw significant policy development impacting nursing workforce practice. WCN advocated for the:
- Passage of the APRN Modernization Act signed into law by Governor Evers on August 8, 2025. This change in policy will allow Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) to practice independently without a collaborative agreement with a physician. The effective date is September 1, 2026.
- Passage of Wisconsin Act 74 revised the membership categories for the Board of Nursing but maintained the total number of members. The act reduces the number of registered nurse appointments from five to three; adds one appointment for a licensed advanced practice registered nurse, referred to as a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber until September 1, 2026; and adds one appointment for a nurse educator. Effective date for this legislation was December 11, 2025.
Transitions & Change
2025 also brought about some big changes for WCN:
- WCN Moved! A BIG THANK YOU to UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing for providing WCN office space since 2006. WCN is now located in the Leading Age Building at 204 South Hamilton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Our phone number remains (414) 801-6877. Our thanks also goes out to Leading Age Wisconsin for our new office space.
Retirement of WCN Executive Director, Barbara Nichols, PhD (Hon), MSN, RN, FAAN and Appointment of Kelly Kruse Nelles, MS, RN, APRN-BC
Barbara Nichols, PhD (Hon), MSN, RN, FAAN
Kelly Kruse Nelles, MS, RN, APRN-BC
This year Barbara Nichols retired after nearly a decade of transformational leadership as WCN Executive Director and Kelly Kruse Nelles was appointed by the WCN Board as the Executive Director. WCN Board President, Kerri Kliminski EdD MSN RN, had this to say about the WCN leadership transition, “Barbara’s leadership has not only supported the mission of the Wisconsin Center for Nursing, but it has also elevated the entire nursing profession across the state and nation. Her work has touched generations of nurses, and her legacy will inspire future leaders for years to come. We extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on her well-earned retirement. As we move forward, we thank Kelly for accepting this appointment. Her career reflects a deep commitment to improving health outcomes through nurse-led innovation, education, and advocacy and her vision and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to address critical workforce challenges and advance our mission to support nursing in Wisconsin through our five core focus areas: data, education, diversity, partnerships, and leadership.”
In this new year we invite you to stay connected and join us in our commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s nursing workforce through research, collaboration, and advocacy.
