Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin
Clinical Nurse Specialist jobs in Wisconsin are concentrated in hospital systems, academic medical centers, and integrated health networks, with steady demand across inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings at staff, lead, and advanced practice levels. The strongest hiring activity is in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, where employers like UW Health, Froedtert Health, and Ascension Wisconsin consistently recruit clinical nurse specialists. Oncology, cardiology, and psychiatric mental health are among the most in-demand specialties statewide. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description :
Work Schedule : Join our team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or a Nurse Specialist and bring your advanced procedural nursing expertise! This unique opportunity is a 100% FTE position scheduled to work primarily Monday through Friday, day shift hours; however, some off hours or weekends may be required. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the department. You will primarily work onsite at the Digestive Health Center, 750 University Row and University Hospital located in Madison, WI.
Be part of something remarkable
Advance your professional nursing career at the #1 hospital in the state of Wisconsin!
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) : An APRN with advanced education and specialized clinical expertise who integrates care across direct patient care, nursing practice, and organizational/system levels.
Nurse Specialist (NS) : An RN with specialty expertise who serves as a clinical expert, mentor, consultant, and leader in evidence-based practice and quality improvement across patient care, nursing, and organizational settings.
We are seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Specialist (NS) to:
- Serve as a clinical expert across outpatient procedural services, supporting nursing practice at the Digestive Health Center and University Hospital's Ambulatory Procedure Center (APC), with opportunities to influence care across a diverse range of specialties and patient populations.
- Lead evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives for complex procedural care, identifying opportunities to improve patient outcomes, safety, workflows, and the patient and family experience.
- Support nurses caring for patients undergoing advanced procedures, including bronchoscopy, endoscopy, ERCP, EUS, ketamine infusions, and minor outpatient surgeries, as well as high-acuity patients requiring urgent or emergent procedures.
- Partner with an expert multidisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, anesthesia professionals, and other clinical staff to advance care delivery across procedural, pre/post, and bedside settings.
- Provide clinical consultation, mentorship, and education to nursing staff while supporting the integration of evidence-based practice, new technology, and evolving procedural techniques.
- Help shape the future of outpatient procedural care across a growing and highly specialized program, collaborating with nursing leaders, fellow CNSs, educators, and interdisciplinary partners to drive innovation and excellence in patient care.
Pay :
Pay range is based on a full-time (100%) position.
Salary is prorated based on FTE.
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified applicants.
At UW Health, you will have :
An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two weeks paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance
Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
Acuity-based staffing ratios for optimal safety.
A strong shared governance structure which assures every nurse has a voice.
A place where nursing excellence is recognized and celebrated in our inpatient and outpatient settings through several award programs.
Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth as a nurse by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.
* This position may be filled as either a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Specialist (NS), based on the candidate's education, licensure, and qualifications. Please note that qualifications have recently been updated due to title protections in the state of WI .
Clinical Nurse Specialist Qualifications :
Education
Master’s Degree or doctoral degree in Nursing Required
Work Experience
3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist or other nurse leadership role Preferred
Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Wisconsin Required
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification in areas of specialty or population focus Required
Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred
Nurse Specialist Qualifications :
Education
Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BSN) Required and
Must obtain Master’s degree in Nursing or doctoral degree (DNP) in relevant specialty within five (5) years of start date in the Nurse Specialist title Required
MSN or DNP within six (6) months of start date Preferred
Completion of graduate program for Clinical Nurse Specialist Preferred
Work Experience
3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
Previous experience in a nursing leader role Preferred
Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Wisconsin or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Required
Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred
Description :
Work Schedule : Join our team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or a Nurse Specialist and bring your advanced procedural nursing expertise! This unique opportunity is a 100% FTE position scheduled to work primarily Monday through Friday, day shift hours; however, some off hours or weekends may be required. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the department. You will primarily work onsite at the Digestive Health Center, 750 University Row and University Hospital located in Madison, WI.
Be part of something remarkable
Advance your professional nursing career at the #1 hospital in the state of Wisconsin!
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) : An APRN with advanced education and specialized clinical expertise who integrates care across direct patient care, nursing practice, and organizational/system levels.
Nurse Specialist (NS) : An RN with specialty expertise who serves as a clinical expert, mentor, consultant, and leader in evidence-based practice and quality improvement across patient care, nursing, and organizational settings.
We are seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Specialist (NS) to:
- Serve as a clinical expert across outpatient procedural services, supporting nursing practice at the Digestive Health Center and University Hospital's Ambulatory Procedure Center (APC), with opportunities to influence care across a diverse range of specialties and patient populations.
- Lead evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives for complex procedural care, identifying opportunities to improve patient outcomes, safety, workflows, and the patient and family experience.
- Support nurses caring for patients undergoing advanced procedures, including bronchoscopy, endoscopy, ERCP, EUS, ketamine infusions, and minor outpatient surgeries, as well as high-acuity patients requiring urgent or emergent procedures.
- Partner with an expert multidisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, anesthesia professionals, and other clinical staff to advance care delivery across procedural, pre/post, and bedside settings.
- Provide clinical consultation, mentorship, and education to nursing staff while supporting the integration of evidence-based practice, new technology, and evolving procedural techniques.
- Help shape the future of outpatient procedural care across a growing and highly specialized program, collaborating with nursing leaders, fellow CNSs, educators, and interdisciplinary partners to drive innovation and excellence in patient care.
Pay :
Pay range is based on a full-time (100%) position.
Salary is prorated based on FTE.
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified applicants.
At UW Health, you will have :
An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two weeks paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance
Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
Acuity-based staffing ratios for optimal safety.
A strong shared governance structure which assures every nurse has a voice.
A place where nursing excellence is recognized and celebrated in our inpatient and outpatient settings through several award programs.
Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth as a nurse by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.
* This position may be filled as either a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Nurse Specialist (NS), based on the candidate's education, licensure, and qualifications. Please note that qualifications have recently been updated due to title protections in the state of WI .
Clinical Nurse Specialist Qualifications :
Education
Master’s Degree or doctoral degree in Nursing Required
Work Experience
3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist or other nurse leadership role Preferred
Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Wisconsin Required
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification in areas of specialty or population focus Required
Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred
Nurse Specialist Qualifications :
Education
Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BSN) Required and
Must obtain Master’s degree in Nursing or doctoral degree (DNP) in relevant specialty within five (5) years of start date in the Nurse Specialist title Required
MSN or DNP within six (6) months of start date Preferred
Completion of graduate program for Clinical Nurse Specialist Preferred
Work Experience
3 years of relevant clinical nursing experience Required
Previous experience in a nursing leader role Preferred
Experience in an academic medical center Preferred
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Wisconsin or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact Required
Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification Required
Certification in specialty area of practice Preferred
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Find JobsClinical Nurse Specialist Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical nurse specialist jobs across Wisconsin.
- Active Wisconsin APRN certification or eligibility through the Wisconsin Board of Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice in a clinical specialty
- National CNS certification from ANCC or AACN in a recognized specialty area
- Minimum two years of direct patient care experience in the relevant specialty
- Demonstrated ability to lead quality improvement initiatives and staff education programs
- Strong clinical assessment skills with experience using electronic health record systems
Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical nurse specialist in Wisconsin?
To become a clinical nurse specialist in Wisconsin, you must earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice with a CNS concentration, pass a national certification exam through ANCC or AACN in your specialty area, and obtain advanced practice registered nurse licensure from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Wisconsin requires APRN licensure for CNS practice, and your application is submitted directly to the Board of Nursing after meeting education and certification requirements.
How much do clinical nurse specialists make in Wisconsin?
Clinical nurse specialists in Wisconsin earn a median of about $95,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,470 for the lowest 10% to over $119,860 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire clinical nurse specialists in Wisconsin?
Companies currently hiring clinical nurse specialists in Wisconsin include UW Health, Advocate Aurora Health, and Froedtert & MCW, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Wisconsin's largest health systems, including academic medical centers and regional integrated networks, account for most of the consistent CNS hiring across the state.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most clinical nurse specialist jobs?
Madison, Wauwatosa, and Wisconsin have the most clinical nurse specialist openings in Wisconsin. Milwaukee leads because of its concentration of large health systems and academic medical centers, while Madison benefits from UW Health and state government-affiliated institutions, and Green Bay draws on a growing regional hospital and specialty care network serving northeastern Wisconsin.
Are there remote clinical nurse specialist jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical nurse specialist roles are fundamentally clinical and patient-facing, which limits remote work to a narrow subset of functions. About 0% of clinical nurse specialist openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, typically in utilization review, care management, or telehealth consultation roles where direct bedside presence is not required.
How can I get hired as a clinical nurse specialist in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a CNS graduate program that includes clinical rotations at Wisconsin health systems, then applying to new-graduate APRN transition programs. UW Health and Froedtert Health offer structured advanced practice nurse residency or fellowship programs designed for new CNS graduates. Moving into a CNS role from a staff RN or charge nurse position in the same specialty is also common, particularly in units where you have already built clinical depth. Completing national CNS certification promptly after graduation gives your application a clear edge with Wisconsin hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to clinical nurse specialist jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to clinical nurse specialist jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current Wisconsin openings across health systems, specialty practices, and care networks throughout the state. Search the listings for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 11 Clinical Nurse Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin
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