Want to know what to call a licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin?
Cheeseconsin is home to plenty of Wisconsinite Cheeseheads, which is the official demonym for Wisconsin residents.
But to be a licensed practical nurse, you have to do more than just live in this state.
Start by training to be an LPN at one of these top five schools.
Also, take into account how much money you can expect to earn as a licensed practical nurse in Green Bay, WI.
I have also included a few frequently asked questions you may have about LPN training in this state.
5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), the College of Nursing offers several nursing programs and learning pathways.
This includes an advanced standing course for licensed practical nursing.
The Family Nurse Practitioner is a program for students who are at an advanced level.
This program requires a master’s degree in nursing and a graduate certificate.
The program is 12 months long, but please note the program is not currently accepting applications as of July 2022.
The cost for a graduate-level program is $12,219 for tuition and an estimated $27,045 total for living expenses and books.
Lakeshore Technical College
A practical nursing program is available in Cleveland, Wisconsin at the Lakeshore Technical College.
Applicants with a medical assistant diploma can apply directly for the practical nursing diploma program.
This is a five-term program worth 31 credits.
It is a part-time evening program, as well, with occasional Saturday classes.
This is an in-person training program that costs $143.45 per credit hour.
Fox Valley Technical College
Students enrolling at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) for practical nursing can earn a technical diploma.
This TD requires 30 credits and attendance of a full-time day program on campus in Appleton, WI.
Students are fully prepared to sit for the board exam by the National Council of State Board for practical nursing upon graduation.
The total cost is $4,821 for tuition and fees plus $1,659 for materials, as well as $814.95 for textbooks.
Moraine Park Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) has locations in Fond du Lac, West Bend, and Beaver Dam.
At MPTC, students can enroll in a two-year nursing program.
This 68-credit training leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in nursing with a practical nursing option.
If selected, students can opt for the Practical Nursing Exit when they are finished with the first two semesters.
At this point, students are prepared to sit for an exit assessment and clinical evaluation.
The total cost for the program is $143.45 a credit hour at a minimum.
Additional costs are $1,570 including books and materials.
Blackhawk Technical College
At the Central Campus located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the Blackhawk Technical College has a nursing program in the health science department.
The course leads to a career as a licensed practical nurse, as well as longer training for a four-year degree in nursing.
It takes 65 credits to complete this LPN course, and the cost is about $11,435 total.
Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI 53211 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | 1290 North Ave, Cleveland, WI 53015 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | 1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54912 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | 235 N National Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 |
| Blackhawk Technical College | 6004 S County Rd G, Janesville, WI 53546 |
Salary
The US median salary for a licensed practical nurse is $50,607 ranging from $41,714 on the low end and $61,469 at the upper end.
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the median salary is lower at $48,547 in comparison.
This is based on a range from $40,016 to $58,967 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $50,085 |
| Madison | $49,587 |
| Green Bay | $48,547 |
| Kenosha | $49,716 |
| Racine | $49,716 |
| Appleton | $48,558 |
| Waukesha | $49,897 |
| Oshkosh | $48,244 |
| Eau Claire | $47,184 |
| La Crosse | $46,214 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 220 | $52,630 | $25.3 | $60,750 | $39,310 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 220 | $50,820 | $24.43 | $58,860 | $42,910 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 110 | $51,390 | $24.71 | $61,270 | $43,800 |
| Green Bay, WI | 520 | $49,070 | $23.59 | $58,060 | $40,840 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 130 | $53,320 | $25.63 | $61,130 | $40,650 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 230 | $53,900 | $25.91 | $59,680 | $45,910 |
| Madison, WI | 520 | $53,720 | $25.83 | $62,720 | $46,330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 1,630 | $54,900 | $26.39 | $65,380 | $40,790 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 180 | $49,580 | $23.84 | $58,240 | $40,830 |
| Racine, WI | 160 | $54,180 | $26.05 | $58,910 | $44,740 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 190 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $58,480 | $42,460 |
| Wausau, WI | 150 | $50,750 | $24.4 | $61,590 | $37,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the LPN program in WI?
Traditional training programs for licensed practical nursing in Wisconsin are two years in length.
These lead to an associate degree or a certificate followed by a clinical practicum.
How many licensed practical nurses are there in Wisconsin?
There are 13,829 LPNs in Wisconsin.
Compare this to 89,180 registered nurses or RNs.
Do I have to go to college to be an LPN in WI?
Yes, anyone who wants to be an LPN in WI is going to have to graduate from a collegiate postsecondary training program.
This will grant the student a certificate, diploma, or degree that allows them to sit for board exams that lead to licensing as a practical nurse.
The training in college should be for practical nursing.
This differs from registered nurse training, by the way, so be sure not to get the two mixed up.
Practical nurses go to school for two years, and registered nurses go to college for four years.
What is the licensed practical nurse training requirement in WI?
Students must be accepted into a practical nursing program at an accredited school.
From there, following graduation, the practical nurses must sit for an NCLEX-PN board exam.
Upon successfully passing this exam for practical nursing, practical nurses are ready to be hired in the workplace as LPN.
The practical nursing title is achieved once the student graduates from PN training.
The licensing aspect is accomplished by passing the board exams for practical nursing.
What is the state exam that licensed practical nurses in Wisconsin take?
In WI, students training to be practical nurses must sit for the board exam called the NCLEX-PN.
All schools train for this particular exam, which is a nationally recognized licensing exam for practical nursing as indicated by the PN.
