Kelly Kruse Nelles Appointed Interim WCN Executive Director
Madison, WI – July 9, 2025 – The Wisconsin Center for Nursing (WCN) proudly announces the appointment of Kelly Kruse Nelles, MS, RN, APRN-BC, as Interim Executive Director. A seasoned nurse leader, educator, and innovator, Kruse Nelles brings over 30 years of clinical, academic, and administrative experience to the role, reinforcing WCN’s mission to monitor nursing workforce and education trends and promote inclusive leadership pathways across the profession.
Kruse Nelles is a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience spanning medical-surgical acute care, community health, internal medicine, and long-term care—with a notable focus on women’s health and improving access for rural and vulnerable populations. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in health administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed her Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner education at the University of Colorado. Her career has been shaped by a clear vision: closing gaps in healthcare delivery through nurse-led solutions and maximizing the value of nursing across all care settings.
As an experienced nurse educator and in her current role as Executive Director of the National Registered Nurse Practice Development Center, Kruse Nelles has led national efforts to prepare nurses for evolving roles in care coordination, population health, and emergency preparedness.
Kelly Kruse-Nelles MS, RN, APRN-BC
More than 1,000 nurses nationwide have completed the Center’s certificate programs, which have been recognized by Healthcare Business Review as a Top Health Education Services Provider. She has further leveraged her academic expertise serving as Innovation Team Lead for WCN since 2019, where she was instrumental in the development and launch of the Nurses Respond Now Priority Training—a statewide emergency preparedness initiative aimed at equipping nurses to meet the needs of vulnerable populations in public health emergencies. The initiative was successfully implemented through three rounds of grant funding and reflects both Kelly’s and WCN’s commitment to responsive and equity-focused workforce development
“Kelly’s career reflects a deep commitment to improving health outcomes through nurse-led innovation, education, and advocacy,” said Kerri Kliminski, WCN Board President. “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.”
About the Wisconsin Center for Nursing
The Wisconsin Center for Nursing is committed to strengthening Wisconsin’s nursing workforce through research, collaboration, and advocacy. Learn more at www.wicenterfornursing.org.