Practical Nursing
Technical Diploma
Credits required for graduation: 32.00
The Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of the nursing team who provides nursing care under the supervision of the registered nurse. Such care includes observing, documenting, and reporting; implementing nursing measures and medical regimens; and assisting in planning and evaluating nursing care. The curriculum is comprised of nursing science and general education courses. Concurrent theory instruction and laboratory experience in the school, hospitals, and long-term care facilities are provided. Special strengths of the program lie in the high degree of individualization of learning activities and concentrated transition experience in a long-term care facility. Graduates apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for PNs as licensure is required for practice. This program is accredited by the WI Board of Nursing. Graduates are employed as LPN's in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and physician's offices.
Admission Requirements
Western accepts COMPASS, ASSET or ACT –Testing may be waived with applicable post-secondary credits. There is a $20 fee for this assessment (fee subject to change). If you have taken the ACT, ASSET or COMPASS within the last five years, you can request that your scores be submitted to Western. The testing requirements are:
| Assessment Area | ACT | ASSET | COMPASS |
| Writing | 19 | 45 | 75 |
| Reading | 20 | 44 | 84 |
| Math/Numerical/Pre-Algebra | 19 | 44 | 58 |
The following requirements must be completed in order to qualify for acceptance to the Practical Nursing program:
These requirements are the same for the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs to support progression from one program to another.
- Completed WTCS Application Form (to include High School Transcript or recognized equivalency.) (Fee charged)
- Completed criminal/caregiver background check (Fee charged)
- Completed Immunization record, including current TB. TB clearance must be done annually for continuing students.
- Read program essential functions
- Read online program orientation
- Completion of General Anatomy and Physiology #10-806-177 with a C or better.
- Completed intent to enroll form
- Completed American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR. Certification must be continually maintained throughout the program.
- Completed one year of high school chemistry, or college chemistry, or developmental chemistry, and high school biology or developmental biology with C or better is a pre-requisite for anyone taking General Anatomy and Physiology. (Refer to program curriculum) There is no time limit on these credits.
- Completion of a Wisconsin Department of Health Services approved Nursing Assistant course. This requires a minimum of 120 hours of instruction and must include a clinical component. It is recommended that you work as a nursing assistant. You will be expected to know the basic patient care skills of bathing, transferring, positioning and feeding when you enter the Semester I Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice (543-104). Lack of these skills may interfere with your progress in Semester I Nursing Introduction to Clinical Practice (543-104).
- SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE ON THE DESIGNATED PROGRAM PRE-ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam). If you have already taken the ACT Exam and received the following scores: English 19+, Reading 20+ and Math 19+, the NLN Pre-Admission Exam can be waived with submission of the scores.
- You are required to take a placement test and meet the set scores unless the following applies:
If you have a bachelors or masters degree, you are not required to take placement tests.
If you have successfully completed (C grade or better) college level Written Communication or beginning Composition, you are not required to take the Writing placement test.
If you have successfully completed (C grade or better) college level Introduction to College Math, you are not required to take the Math placement test.
Testing is available in La Crosse at the Western Technical College Campus Assessment Center or at the Regional Learning Center sites in Independence, Black River Falls, Tomah, Mauston, or Viroqua. If you take a placement test at another location, you must request that your scores be sent to Western.
Practical Nursing Follow-Up 2008-09 Information
| Graduates | 81 |
| Graduates Responding | 68 |
| Employed In Related Occupations | 45 |
| Employed in Non-related Occupations | 7 |
| Seeking Employment | 11 |
| Not In Labor Market | 5 |
Salary Data - Related Employment
| Part(Time) | Full(Time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Responding | 38 | 7 |
| Average Hours Per week | 22 | 40 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $16 | $13.34 |
| Hourly Wage Range | $9.00-$24.90 | $12.14-$19.00 |
| Median Annual Salary | $$17,680.00 | $28488.72 |
Respondents In Related Occupations
CNA; Flambeau Hospital/Ministry Health, Park Falls, WI
CNA; Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, WI (4)
CNA; Ho-Chunk Nation, Tomah, WI
CNA; Tomah Memorial Hospital, Tomah, WI
CNA; VA Medical Center, Tomah, WI
EMT; Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Viroqua, WI
GPA; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
Graduate Nurse; Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Viroqua, WI
LPN; Bethany Lutheran Homes, La Crosse, WI (4)
LPN; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Arcadia, WI
LPN; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
LPN; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Tomah, WI (2)
LPN; Home Care, La Crosse, WI
LPN; Lakeview Health Center, West Salem, WI (2)
LPN; Mulder Health Care, West Salem, WI (2)
LPN; Northland Nursing Home, Westby, WI
LPN; Onalaska Care Center, Onalaska, WI
LPN; Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls, WI (2)
LPN; ResCare Home Care, La Crosse, WI
LPN; Sparta Memorial Home, Sparta, WI
LPN; St. Joseph’s Rehab Center, La Crosse, WI (2)
Medical Assistant; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
Medical Records Clerk; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
Nurse Intern; Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls, WI
Nurse Tech; Mile Bluff Medical Center, Mauston, WI
Nursing; Tri-County Memorial Nursing Home, Whitehall, WI
Patient Care Technician; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
Patient Care Technician; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
RN; Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, WI
RN; Good Samaritan, Lodi, WI
RN; Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, WI
Senior Plasma Center Tech; BioLife Plasma Services, Eau Claire, WI
Support Staff Phlebotomist; Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, WI
Unit Coordinator; Hess Memorial Hospital, Mauston, WI
Practical Nursing
The Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of the nursing team who provides nursing care under the supervision of the registered nurse. Such care includes observing, documenting and reporting; implementing nursing measures and medical regimens; and assisting in planning and evaluating nursing care. The curriculum is comprised of nursing science and general education courses. Concurrent theory instruction and laboratory experience in the school, hospitals and long-term care facilities are provided. Special strengths of the program lie in the high degree of individualization of learning activities and concentrated transition experience in a long-term care facility. At graduation the student receives a vocational diploma and is eligible for admission to the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Graduates are employed as LPN's in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and physician's offices. The program is approved by the State of Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
How to get More Information
Program Counselors, Enrollment Services Advisors:
Counselors can be reached at:
La Crosse Campus 608.785.9553
Black River Falls Campus 715. 284.2253
Independence Campus 715.985.3392
Mauston Campus 608.847.7364
Tomah Campus 608.374.7700
Viroqua Campus 608.637.2612
Enrollment Services Advisors:
- Sandy Peterson 608.785.9207
- Barb Kelsey 608.785.9884
- Debbie Kaiser 608.785.9078
Instructor websites
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Take To Become A Practical Nurse?
It takes discipline and hard work. Practical Nurses are expected to work in a stressful, multidisciplinary environment. They need to be mature, independent thinkers who are assertive and able to advocate for the heath care needs of individuals and families. They must be able to care for clients in all phases of the health-illness continuum and throughout the lifespan.
How Long Is The Program At Western?
The Practical Nursing program at Western is two semesters long. Students may elect to take the general education component of the program the semester before entering the Practical Nursing program. The Practical Nursing program is part of the Wisconsin Technical College state curriculum and is identical to the first year of the Associate Degree Nursing program. The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Students who have a "secured seat" in the program may take the first semester nursing theory courses one semester prior to beginning the first semester clinical course.
What Are The Special Program Characteristics?
The Practical Nursing program has a challenging curriculum that will prepare you to provide direct care for individuals in long-term care agencies, doctor's clinics, home health agencies, the armed services, and other sites. This program is designed for the adult learner. It features a learning environment that fosters independence, problem solving, organization, goal attainment and communication through faculty guided learning and performance-based evaluation. Only students accepted in the Nursing program are allowed to register for nursing courses. Courses provide learning tasks based on course competencies and facilitate mastery of theoretical and clinical performance standards. Classes, the skills and simulation labs, and clinical settings provide opportunities to share knowledge, ask questions, and practice newly mastered skills.
The distance learning option (ITV) for support courses is offered at all Western campuses. Learning resources (CDs, DVDs, computer programs, journal articles, internet access and nursing skills lab, etc.) are available at the Viroqua and Mauston Campuses for the nursing courses in the program. The general education and science courses are offered at the Black River Falls, Mauston, and Tomah Campuses. The Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology labs are only offered in La Crosse.
Do I Need A Computer With Internet Access?
Because nursing faculty use Internet-supported teaching strategies, nursing students need access to a computer that has internet access and email capabilities. Students may use the computer labs at all Western campuses, but may find it more convenient to own a computer. Internet-supported learning strategies include use of a Web Board (Blackboard) for questions/answers/ discussions; email and learning plans with hot links to related web sites. Information about computer needs is available at http://www.westerntc.edu/onlinelearning/systemrequirements.asp .
Will I be Required to Travel?
The Practical Nursing program utilizes clinical sites in the Western Technical College District during the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation to all clinical sites. Overnight travel is not required.
How Much Time Will I Spend In The Client Care Setting?
Clinical experience begins during the first semester of the program. Clinical schedules vary from course to course and may include six to sixteen hours of clinical practice each week. All students are required to participate in orientation to the clinical agency. The nursing program reserves the right to reassign students for such reasons as balancing the number of students in each section and other considerations. Students are expected to improve in their clinical performance throughout the semester and from semester to semester. This improvement will be reflected in the clinical evaluations which are based on objectives found in each clinical course syllabus.
What Happens After I Graduate?
After successfully completing the Practical Nursing (PN) program, the graduate becomes eligible to apply to take the national licensing exam for Practical Nursing. The Western Nursing Program is a rigorous course of study that prepares students to pass the NCLEX Exam on their first attempt. Western's pass rate for the past 8 quarters is 96%. If you pass the examination you may work as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The average salary range six months after graduation is $25,000 - $40,000. As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) you will work in the health care field under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN). Practical Nursing graduates are also eligible to apply to the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and continue their education to become an RN. Articulation of a PN graduate into the ADN program will be based on seat availability. Please do not apply until you have nearly completed the first two semesters of the nursing program.
How do I Get Into The Program?
Complete and submit the Wisconsin Technical College System application. If you are interested in more than one program, you must complete an application for each program. A one time $30.00 application fee (made payable to Western) must be submitted with the application. Applications are available at Western in the Welcome Center (La Crosse Campus) or any Regional Learning Center location. Applications are also available online at www.westerntc.edu/admissions.
Western Technical College
400 Seventh Street North | La Crosse, WI 54601
608.785.9200 | 800.322.9982
EEO Statement
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