A licensed practical nurse works in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing, schools, correctional facilities, and physicians’ offices. Working under the direction of a registered nurse or physician, the LPN works closely with patients, monitoring their condition and reporting adverse changes. There are numerous job opportunities for LPNs in Madison, WI. According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 11,450 LPNs employed in Wisconsin and employment is expected to grow by 18 percent by the year 2020. Although employment growth is lower than the national trend for LPNs, there are still plenty of opportunities for new nurses who will replace retiring nurses in the state’s hospitals and fill new positions in long-term care. Licensed practical nurses earn approximately $42,820 annually in Wisconsin.
Madison Area Tech College (MATC)
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Madison Area Tech is accredited by the ACEN and features exit points for Nursing Assistants and Practical Nurses. Students wishing to take the NCLEX-PN to become a Licensed Practical Nurse can exit after the second semester. The combination classroom and clinical instruction prepare students to use their technical competence with clinical judgment to care for patients of all ages. The guided curriculum requires students to be self-directed and independent. Applicants should have an interest in the welfare of others and an ability to follow directions and procedures carefully. Courses covered in the first two semesters are fundamentals of nursing, nutrition for health care, general anatomy and physiology, elementary, nursing the adult, human development, development psychology, pharmacology, nursing the mentally ill, parent-child nursing, nursing across lifespan, and interpersonal communication. The approximate cost of completing the first year and general education requirements is $8,760.
- Website: https://madisoncollege.edu/program/practical-nursing
- Address: 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704
- Phone: (608) 246-6100
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98.71%
Blackhawk Tech College
Blackhawk Tech’s nursing graduates are prepared to execute their role as an entry-level licensed practical nurse in a variety of healthcare settings, including long-term care, acute care, and community health settings. The curriculum utilizes classroom theory and practical experiences in the lab and medical facility to emphasize evidence-based nursing, professional practice, and skills performance. Students must first complete the general education courses, which form the foundation for the nursing courses, before enrolling in the core nursing courses. The general education requirements include written communication and general and advanced anatomy and physiology. Although the program primarily prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, students have the option to take the NCLEX-PN exam after the second semester to get licensed as a practical nurse. After using the PN exit option, the student can continue with the final two semesters to obtain a registered nurse license or reapply for entry as an LPN Progression student at a later date. Applicants with a high school diploma or GED should attend an information session to learn about the application process and program expectations. Tuition for the 32-credit exit option is $4,108.80 plus expenses for textbooks, clinical supplies, uniform, and admission requirements.
- Website: https://www.blackhawk.edu/
- Address: 6004 S County Road G, Janesville, WI 53546
- Phone: (608) 758-6900
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.95%
Waukesha County Tech College
Waukesha County Tech facilitates an associate degree program that gives students an exit option to take the NCLEX-PN and become a licensed practical nurse. The comprehensive program integrates the science of nursing with bio-psychological sciences to prepare graduates for employment in various aspects of the healthcare industry. Practical nursing students can exit the program after the second semester to work as an LPN while continuing nursing studies to become a registered nurse. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, training as a nursing assistant, CPR for Healthcare Provider certification, and meet the health and criminal background requirements. Priority will be given to WCTC District residents – all others will be given consideration if space remains. General coursework requirements English composition, development psychology, microbiology, introduction to sociology, general and advanced anatomy and physiology, and oral and interpersonal communication. Technical and clinical courses during the first two semesters are fundamentals of nursing, nursing skills, pharmacology for nurses, introduction to clinical practice, health promotion, nursing clinical care across lifespan, and introduction to care management. Practical nursing students earn 51 credits to exit the program. The tuition of $6,548.40 does not include program fees, textbooks, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.wctc.edu/
- Address: 800 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072
- Phone: (262) 691-5566
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98.90%
Moraine Park Tech College
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Moraine Park Tech has a Practical Nursing Exit Point for students to take the NCLEX-PN to work in acute care settings, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory care. Persons desirous of becoming a practical nurse can exit after successfully completing the first two semesters. The student also has the option to continue the final two semesters to prepare for the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse. Application to the ACEN accredited program requires a completed college application, an application fee of $30, high school or official college transcripts, and an acceptable score on a college assessment test. All prospective students must attend a program orientation and meet the criminal background check and health requirements, which includes immunizations, TB clearance, and a physical exam. Prior courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, oral communications, and English composition. Students must take an exit assessment to graduate as a Practical Nurse. At the conclusion of the second semester, the prospective graduate will earn 31 credits. Tuition is $6,750 plus $1,649 for books and supplies.
- Website: http://www.morainepark.edu/programs-and-courses/programs-of-study/Nursing+-+Associate+Degree+With+a+Practical+Nursing+Exit+Point/
- Address: 700 Gould St, Beaver Dam, WI
- Phone: (920) 887-1101
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100.00%
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.