Practical Nursing Programs in Wisconsin

LPN programs in Wisconsin are offered as diploma (12 months + a few weeks) or as associate’s degree programs (2 years). Choosing a diploma or associate’s program will depend on your geographic location as well as what your future career intentions are. Pursuing a Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN) will take longer if you choose a diploma LPN program now. Some employers may favor an associate’s educated LPN over a diploma educated LPN, however, this is not always the case. LPN licensure in Wisconsin requires the completion of a Board of Nursing approved LPN program. A list of Wisconsin Board of Nursing approved LPN programs can be found below.

LPN programs will provide classroom instruction, laboratory time as well as required clinical practicum time. Typical knowledge and skills covered during this time include learning the procedures, rules, laws and regulations pertinent to licensed practical nursing in Wisconsin, general patient care, basic practical nursing related skills, LPN standards of Practice, lab procedures and sampling techniques, nursing and medical terminology, infection control, medications, medication administration, medication interactions, medication side effects and additional required curriculum set by the Board of Nursing. The goal of an LPN program is to prepare students to pass their National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN) and perform the duties expected of an LPN in Wisconsin.

LPN Requirements in Wisconsin

Requirements and steps to become a new LPN in Wisconsin begin with 1) being at least 18 years of age, 2) completing a Wisconsin Board of Nursing LPN program, 3a) applying for LPN licensure by exam with the Wisconsin Board of Nursing (application can be found on the Board of Nursing website), 3b) register for the NCLEX-PN exam on the Pearson Vue website. Check the Board of Nursing website for additional information regarding fingerprinting, background checks and additional requirements. After a review of your application by the Board of Nursing and passing of the NCLEX-PN exam an LPN is approved for licensure in Wisconsin and eligible to use the title LPN.

LPN Salary, Employers and Job Outlook in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Workforce Information – Worknet Occupational Employment Statistics reports that LPNs in Wisconsin made an average hourly wage of $19.55 and an average annual salary of $40,670 in 2008. Based on historical trends found in this data it would be logical to think that now an LPN would be making more than what was reported in 2008. Worknet also releases long term occupational projections and for an LPN in Wisconsin they project job growth to be 11.36% through 2016. There are many variables that can affect this data and a more clear idea of what an entry-level LPN makes and if there are jobs available could be found by contacting employers in your community and asking them what an entry-level LPN makes and if they intend to hire LPNs.

Typical employers of LPNs in Wisconsin are skilled nursing facilities, home health care agencies, long term care facilities, hospices, medical/surgical units, hospitals and prisons. A sample of the facilities or companies hiring LPNs in Wisconsin are Vistas Innovative Hospice Care, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Ministry HealthCare, Beaver Dam Hospitals and the State of Wisconsin (check the Wisconsin Jobs website). Benefits at these and similar employers are quite good and sometimes will include tuition reimbursement for those interested in advancing their career with education.

People researching the LPN programs in Wisconsin also looked at the Medical Assistant Programs in Wisconsin. Training for a Medical Assistant usually takes 6 months to 18 months depending on the program and offers similar job growth potential.

Approved LPN Programs in Wisconsin

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