There is a continuous demand for Licensed Practical Nurses in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. Enrolling in a practical nursing program in Wisconsin will give you the knowledge and technical skills to qualify for a career in this high demand field. You’ll learn how to administer medications, assist with health assessments, communicate effectively with members of the health care team, patients, and their families, measure and record vital signs, supervise nurse assistants, identify different classes of drugs and their effects, and promote health. Your duties will also include changing dressings, ensuring patients’ comfort, maintaining confidentiality, and performing all other responsibilities outlined in the nursing scope of practice and delegated by a registered nurse or physician.
LPNs have a wider scope of practice than nursing assistants. Although they may perform many of the duties of a registered nurse, their duties are less complex. Compassion, good observational skills, excellent communication, patients, good physical health, flexibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning are some characteristics that will help you to succeed in the profession.
LPNs in Wisconsin earn an average salary of $45,421 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS projects a 12 percent growth in employment in the next decade. LPNs can improve their job outlook and take a more active role in patient care by enrolling in an LPN to RN or LPN to BSN nursing program to become a registered nurse. Using their prior education and education, practical nurses can complete the requirements to become a registered nurse in just 12 to 18 months.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
The Practical Nursing Diploma at MATC ladders into the Registered Nursing associate degree. The program includes classroom and clinical experiences to prepare students for entry-level employment in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. Students will learn how to think critically, demonstrate good written, verbal and nonverbal communications, collaborate as active members of the health care team, and integrate the knowledge of the sciences to make clinical decisions. Course topics include Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Introduction to Clinical Practice, General Anatomy and Physiology, Communication Skills, Health Alterations I and II, Health Promotion, Care Across the Lifespan, Introduction to Clinical Management, Communication Skills, and Developmental Psychology. The program requires completion of 32 credits. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. The program can be completed in two semesters.
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have at least one year of high school biology and chemistry or one semester of college biology and chemistry
- Submit a completed application and fee
- Complete online student orientation
- Submit ACT scores
- Take and pass the NLN exam
- Take and pass the admission placement assessment
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher
- Have completed nursing assistant training – training is required, not state certification
- Complete the science and liberal arts courses with a grade B or better
- Attend a mandatory orientation
- Complete the required CastleBranch documents
- Complete criminal background check, drug test, and health records
Tuition for completing 12 credits per semester is $1,851. Additional costs include fees, textbooks, uniforms, nursing supplies, admission costs, and graduation fees.
- Website: https://www.matc.edu/
- Address: 700 W. State Street, Milwaukee WI. 53233
- Phone: (414) 297-MATC (6282)
- Toll Free: (800) 720-6282
- Email: info@matc.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Lakeshore Technical College
The practical nursing technical diploma at Lakeshore Technical College prepares students for licensure as a practical nurse in just 5 semesters. Students will learn how to assist nurses with health assessments, administer medication, drug classifications and their effect on the body, mental health concepts, health promotion, legal and ethic issues, and communication skills. Course topics include Developmental Psychology, Written Communication, General Anatomy and Physiology, Oral/Interpersonal Communication, Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, Nursing Pharmacology, Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice, Nursing Health Alterations, Nursing Health Promotions, Nursing Clinical Care Across Lifespan, Introduction to Clinical Care Management, and Math for Nursing. The part-time program requires availability in the evening and some Saturdays. New students are admitted in June of each year. The program is approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Students must complete 31 credits to graduate from the program. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. Admission is limited to 16 students for each cycle.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for admission and the non-refundable application fee of $30
- Request official high school transcripts and any college transcripts to be sent to the LTC
- Complete the Background Information Disclosure form and pay the processing fee of $20
- Take and pass the Entrance Assessment
- Print and study the Functional Ability Statement of Understanding for this program
- Read the Nursing Program Handbook and sign the verification page to submit with the application
- Take and pass the HESI with a score of 70% or better
- Complete the Health/TB Tetanus Form
- Demonstrate math competence – have an Accuplacer score of 264 or have a minimum grade C of 263 or better
- Complete a nursing assistant program – must be completed before commencing the Intro to Clinical module
- Take and pass the general education courses with a grade C or better
Tuition costs $134.20 per credit for WI residents. The activity fee of $7.38 will be added for each credit. Other costs include uniforms, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and transport to the clinical sites.
- Website: https://gotoltc.edu/
- Address: 1290 North Ave, Cleveland, WI 53015
- Phone: 920-693-1000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Bryant & Stratton College
The Practical Nursing diploma at Bryant & Stratton College includes classroom and clinical experience to prepare students for employment as a licensed practical nurse. Students will have a unique opportunity to continue their education to the Nursing associate degree as credits are transferable from the PN diploma to the Nursing degree program upon passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Students must complete a total of 41 credit hours of prerequisites and nursing courses to graduate. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology for LPNS, medical surgical nursing, lifespan development and nursing practice, maternal child nursing, fundamentals of practical nursing, intravenous therapy, and practical nursing leadership. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam provided they meet the State Board requirements.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for admission and the non-refundable application
- Submit high school and any applicable college transcripts
- Complete the Background Information Disclosure form and pay the processing fee of $20
- Take and pass the Entrance Assessment
- Take and pass the HESI with a score of 70% or better
- Complete the Health/TB Tetanus Form
- Demonstrate math competence – have an Accuplacer score of 264 or have a minimum grade C of 263 or better
- Complete a nursing assistant program – must be completed before commencing the Intro to Clinical module
- Take and pass the general education courses with a grade C or better
Tuition for the program is $18,630. Books and supplies cost an additional $925.
- Website: https://www.bryantstratton.edu/degrees/diplomas/practical-nursing-diploma
- Address: 500 W Silver Spring Dr, Bayshore Town Center, Suite K340, Glendale, WI 53217
- Phone: 414-961-9600
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88%
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.