Licensed practical nurses are critical to patient care as they work with registered nurses and physicians to care for, educate, and advocate for patients. While there has been a decline in employment for practical nurses in hospitals, there is an increase in demand for their services in long-term care and home health care to meet the needs of the aging baby boomer population. In most health care settings, their duties will include monitoring patients, administering medications, wound care, providing personal care, ensuring patients’ comfort, updating patient records, counseling patients and their families, and supervising Certified Nursing Assistants.
Licensed practical nurses may perform many of the functions of registered nurses. However, their scope of practice is not as expansive as that of a registered nurse, and their duties may not be as complex. Many practical nursing programs in Wisconsin are career ladder programs that provide an exit point for practical nurses with the option to continue on to the Associate Degree in Nursing. Continuing your education to become a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse will improve your career outlook and give greater autonomy in practice.
Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College prepares adults for a career as a practical nurse. Students will learn how to assist nurses with patient care activities including health assessments, the administration of medication, personal care, development of patient care plans, and restorative treatments. The curriculum will include theory as well as opportunities to develop hands-on skills in a skills lab and real-world environment. Theory and practical instruction will develop critical thinking, knowledge of drug classifications, communication and collaboration, and attending for a diverse patient population. Program courses include Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Introduction to Clinical Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Introduction to Clinical Care Management, Body Structure and Function, English Composition, Developmental Psychology, and Interpersonal Communication. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is one year.
Admission criteria:
- Submit official high school transcript or its equivalent
- Take and pass the TEAS with a composite score of 50 or above
- Read and sign the Technical Standards Form
- Submit a completed application and fee of $30
- Attend a meeting with Counseling and Advising for TEAS Interpretation
- Attend a New Student Registration
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Obtain a minimum grade C on general education courses
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition for in-state residents is $5,193. Books and supplies will cost an additional $1,940.
- Website: https://www.fvtc.edu/program/health-science/31-543-1/practical-nursing
- Address: 1825 N. Bluemound Drive, P.O. Box 2277, Appleton, WI 54912-2277
- Phone: 920-735-5600
- Toll-Free: 1-800-735-FVTC (3882)
- FAX: 920-735-2582
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Graduates of the Practical Nursing program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College will be eligible to assume entry-level positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and other health care settings. The program has a consistent pass rate of over 92 percent for first-time candidates of the NCLEX. Graduates of the ACEN accredited and state-approved program are eligible to enter an Associate Degree in Nursing program to become registered nurses. The curriculum combines theory with practical instruction to prepare students for the role. Course modules include College 101, English Composition, General Anatomy and Physiology, Developmental Psychology, Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Skills, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice, Oral/Interpersonal Communication, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across Lifespan, and Nursing Introduction Clinical Care Management. At the end of the program, graduates will be able to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and ethics in practice, communicate effectively in verbal, written, and non-verbal forms, provide patient-centered care under the direction of a registered nurse, collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary health care team, and use technology to manage and communicate data and make decisions. Students must complete 33 credits to graduate from the program.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application and fee
- Submit a copy of high school transcript or equivalent
- Have a cumulative high school GPA or college GPA of 3.0 or higher or obtain a satisfactory score on the admissions assessment
- Must have completed one semester of college chemistry with a grade C or better or high school chemistry with a grade C or better
- Attend a mandatory student orientation
- Submit proof of immunization
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check for caregivers
- Complete American Heart Association BLS Provider course prior to clinical experiences
- Must have completed a Nursing Assistant program that is approved by DHS
In-state tuition costs $5,900. Books and supplies cost an additional $2,350. Students must cover the cost for uniforms, flu vaccine, drug testing, and the NCLEX-PN exam.
- Website: https://www.nwtc.edu/academics/programs/fields-of-interest/health-sciences/therapeutic-services/nursing-pathway/practical-nursing
- Address: 2740 West Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54303
- Phone: 920-498-5444
- Toll-Free: 1-800-422-NWTC
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 93%
Waukesha County Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College hosts an Associate Degree in Nursing program that has an exit option for students to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The curriculum integrates nursing courses with the sciences to prepare students for practice as a nurse. Course topics include Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Care Across Lifespan, and much more. Full time and part time options are available. The program admits new students in the fall or spring semester. Waukesha offers student quality instruction, high first-time NCLEX pass rates, numerous clinical site options, the option to continue on to the associate degree, high tech simulation labs, and committed instructors.
Admission criteria:
- Take and pass the NLN PAX Exam
- Submit a completed application and $30 fee
- Submit official high school transcript or equivalent
- Complete a placement evaluation
- Attend a scheduled Program Planning Session
- Provide documentation of current BLS Provider certification
Tuition costs $136.50 per credit. Additional costs include fees, insurance, uniforms, textbooks, and nursing supplies.
- Website: https://www.wctc.edu/academics/programs-courses/programs/nursing-associate-degree/index.php
- Address: 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072
- Phone: 262-691-5566
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: N/A
Moraine Park Technical College
The Nursing Associate Degree program at Moraine Park Technical College has an exit point for practical nurses. The program includes theory and practical instruction in the lab and various health care facilities to prepare students for employment in acute care, ambulatory, and long-term care settings. Students are prepared to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses after completing the first two semesters of the program. Course topics include Computer Literacy, Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing – Introduction to Clinical Practice, English Composition I, Developmental Psychology, College 101, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotion, Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Care Management, and Oral and Interpersonal Communication. They have the option to complete the final two semesters in preparation for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. It is recommended that high school students complete courses in chemistry, mathematics, biology, reading, writing, and oral communication in preparation for the program.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application and $30 fee
- Submit official high school transcript or equivalent
- Complete a placement evaluation
- Provide documentation of current BLS Provider certification
- Complete a criminal background check and drug screen
Tuition costs $136.50 per credit. Additional costs include fees, uniforms, textbooks, immunization, CPR, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/nursing-associate-degree-with-a-practical-nursing-exit-point/
- Address: 700 Gould Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916-1994
- Phone: 920-887-1428
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: N/A