An Email Exchange With The WI Department of Regulation & Licensing

Date: Tuesday, February 27
To: web@drl.state.wi.us [the generic DRL email address]
From: Lydia Bertrand

I am looking for some information about Marquette's Direct Entry Nursing program. I have been told that Marquette has a special agreement with the state of Wisconsin allowing their Direct Entry students to become RN's without obtaining a BSN degree. I would like a copy of this formal agreement.

Thank you

Lydia Bertrand
___________________________________________________
Date: Saturday, March 3
To: Lydia Bertrand
From: [name]

Lydia

Marquette's direct entry masters program is recognized by the board of nursing. The portion of the program that prepares for the license has been approved by the board. When students complete that portion, the school verifies it to the board, and the student can take the exam and get the license.

You are right that the student does not get a degree at that point. The student would need to complete the masters to get a degree. Students with non-nursing bachelors degrees may prefer that, if they go back to school, they get a masters, rather than another bachelors degree. That need is what the program addresses.

[name]
___________________________________________________
Date: Saturday, March 3
To: [name]
From: Lydia Bertrand

[name]

Thank you for returning my email.

This agreement appears to be in conflict with the Nurse Practice Act (441.04) which requires individuals to obtain a "degree of graduation" before they may sit for NCLEX. Was there an amendment, or another part of the law that I am missing that makes an exception for Marquette's Direct Entry program?

There must be a written formal agreement between the State and Marquette. How may I obtain a copy of this agreement?

Thank you,

Lydia Bertrand
___________________________________________________
Date: Monday, March 5
To: Lydia Bertrand
From: Colleen Baird

This is in response to your question about the Marquette Nursing Program. I do not believe that we have a copy of this formal agreement. You should contact the school directly.

Colleen M. Baird
Legal Counsel
Wisconsin Board of Nursing
___________________________________________________

Does anyone else think this is a tad strange? It is hard to tell if this is suspicious or just ordinary incompetence.

I didn't think that I was going to get a response to my first email, so last week I also mailed a paper letter to the "Credentialing Administrator" at the DRL asking for a copy of the formal written agreement, but they won't get the letter for several more days.