Nursing, Practical

A career as a practical nurse can be a rewarding opportunity to provide caring medical support to individuals and families across the lifespan. You’ll learn how to assist with health assessments and medication administration, and will have ample opportunities for hands-on experience to develop your clinical skills. You’ll also learn about drug classifications and their effect on the body, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyles. An emphasis on critical thinking and communications will help you become a skilled nurse who is able to adapt to a variety of environments and work with diverse patient populations. Under supervision, you’ll be able to manage and direct care in various healthcare settings. Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to take the National Council of State Board's licensing exam to become an LPN.

Due to program demand, licensure and certification requirements, and Wisconsin laws relating to residency, this program is currently not accepting out-of-state applicants. Learn more about professional licensure for this program.

COURSE LIST

Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

Occupational Specific (19 Credits)

Course Title
Course Number
Credits
Instructional Hours
Outside Effort Hours**
Early College Credit Options
Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
• Nursing Fundamentals

  31-543-301

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31543301
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  This course focuses on basic nursing concepts to provide evidence-based care to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Current and historical issues impacting nursing will be explored within the scope of nursing practice. The nursing process will be introduced as a framework for organizing the care of patients.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:​

  • COMMUNIC 10801136 - English Composition 1 (Grade of C or better required)​

  • COMMUNIC 10801196 - Oral/Interpersonal Comm (Grade of C or better required)

  • SOC STY 10809188 - Developmental Psychology (Grade of C or better required)

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  AND ANY of the following options:

  • MEDICAL 10501153 - Body Structure and Function (Grade of C or better required)

  • SCIENCE 10806177 - Gen Anatomy & Physiology (Grade of C or better required)

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice

  • NURSING 94543007 - ATI Fee-PN 1st Sem - No Refund

• Nursing Skills

  31-543-302

  3Credit

  108

  54

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 54
  • Course Number: 31543302
  • Credits: 3.00

  N/A

  This course focuses on development of evidence-based clinical skills and physical assessment across the lifespan. Content includes mathematical calculations and conversions related to clinical skills. In addition the course includes techniques related to obtaining a health history and basic physical assessment skills using a body systems approach.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  ​Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice

  • NURSING 94543007 - ATI Fee-PN 1st Sem - No Refund

• Nursing Pharmacology

  31-543-303

  2Credit

  72

  36

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 72
  • Outside Effort Hours: 36
  • Course Number: 31543303
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  This course introduces the principles of pharmacology, including drug classifications and their effects on the body. Emphasis is on the use of the components of the nursing process when administering medications.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice

  • NURSING 94543007 - ATI Fee-PN 1st Sem - No Refund

• Nursing Intro Clinical Practice

  31-543-304

  2Credit

  108

  0

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 0
  • Course Number: 31543304
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  This introductory clinical course emphasizes basic nursing skills and application of the nursing process in meeting the needs of diverse clients across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on performing basic nursing skills, the formation of nurse-client relationships, communication, data collection, documentation, and medication administration.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology

  • NURSING 94543007 - ATI Fee-PN 1st Sem - No Refund

• Nursing Health Alterations

  31-543-305

  3Credit

  108

  54

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 54
  • Course Number: 31543305
  • Credits: 3.00

  N/A

  This course elaborates upon the basic concepts of health and illness as presented in Nursing Fundamentals. It applies theories of nursing in the care of patients through the lifespan, utilizing problem solving and critical thinking. This course will provide an opportunity to study conditions affecting different body systems and apply evidence-based nursing interventions. It will also introduce concepts of leadership and management.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice (Grade of C or better required)

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543306 - Nursing Health Promotion

  • NURSING 31543307 - Nsg: Clin Care Across Lifespan

  • NURSING 31543308 - Intro Clinical Care Management

  • NURSING 94543045 - ATI Fee-PN 2nd Sem - No Refund​

• Nursing Health Promotion

  31-543-306

  3Credit

  108

  54

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 54
  • Course Number: 31543306
  • Credits: 3.00

  N/A

  This course focuses on topics related to health promotion for individuals and families throughout the lifespan. Topics include reproductive issues, pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, the newborn, and the child, adaptive and maladaptive behaviors applying mental health principles. An emphasis is placed on teaching and supporting healthy lifestyles choices for individuals of all ages. Nutrition, exercise, stress management, empowerment, and risk reduction practices are highlighted. Study of the family will cover dynamics, functions, discipline styles, and stages of development.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice (Grade of C or better required)

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543305 - Nursing Health Alterations

  • NURSING 31543307 - Nsg: Clin Care Across Lifespan

  • NURSING 31543308 - Intro Clinical Care Management

  • NURSING 94543045 - ATI Fee-PN 2nd Sem - No Refund​

• Nursing Clinical Care Across the Lifespan

  31-543-307

  2Credit

  108

  0

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 0
  • Course Number: 31543307
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  This clinical experience applies nursing concepts and therapeutic interventions to patients across the lifespan. It also provides an introduction to concepts of teaching and learning. Extending care to include the family is emphasized.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice (Grade of C or better required)

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543305 - Nursing Health Alterations

  • NURSING 31543306 - Nursing Health Promotion

  • NURSING 31543308 - Intro Clinical Care Management

  • NURSING 94543045 - ATI Fee-PN 2nd Sem - No Refund​

• Intro to Clinical Care Management

  31-543-308

  2Credit

  108

  0

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 108
  • Outside Effort Hours: 0
  • Course Number: 31543308
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  This clinical experience applies nursing concepts and therapeutic nursing interventions to groups of patients across the lifespan. It also provides an introduction to leadership, management, and team building.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • NURSING 31543301 - Nursing Fundamentals (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543302 - Nursing Skills (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543303 - Nursing Pharmacology (Grade of C or better required)

  • NURSING 31543304 - Nursing Intro ClinicalPractice (Grade of C or better required)

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following :

  • NURSING 31543305 - Nursing Health Alterations

  • NURSING 31543306 - Nursing Health Promotion

  • NURSING 31543307 - Nsg: Clin Care Across Lifespan

  • NURSING 94543045 - ATI Fee-PN 2nd Sem - No Refund​

Occupational Supportive (11 Credits)

Course Title
Course Number
Credits
Instructional Hours
Outside Effort Hours**
Early College Credit Options
Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
• Body Structure and Function

  10-501-153

  2Credit

  54

  54

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 54
  • Outside Effort Hours: 54
  • Course Number: 10501153
  • Credits: 2.00

  N/A

  Introduces basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students explore the basics of cells and cell chemistry and build on that knowledge to develop an understanding of tissues, organs, and organ systems. Students explore each body system and how systems function under normal (homeostatic) body conditions. Students develop an overall understanding of how the human body operates on a minute to minute, day to day, basis when all systems are functioning properly.

• English Composition 1

  10-801-136

  3Credit

  54

  108

  N/A

  View Information

  • Instructional Hours: 54
  • Outside Effort Hours: 108
  • Course Number: 10801136
  • Credits: 3.00

  N/A

  Credit for Prior Learning Options Available

  Learners develop and apply skills in all aspects of the writing process. Through a variety of learning activities and written documents, learners employ rhetorical strategies, plan, organize and revise content, apply critical reading strategies, locate and evaluate information, integrate and document sources, and apply standardized English language conventions.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Accuplacer Reading 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT Reading 18+ OR Reading Level 3 Coursework

  • Accuplacer Sentence 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT English 18+ OR English Level 2 Coursework

  OR ALL of the following:

  • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)

• Oral/Interpersonal Comm

  10-801-196

  3Credit

  54

  108

  View Information

  View Information

  • Instructional Hours: 54
  • Outside Effort Hours: 108
  • Course Number: 10801196
  • Credits: 3.00

  High School Credit Learning Options Available

  Credit for Prior Learning Options Available

  Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

  • Accuplacer Reading 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT Reading 18+ OR Reading Level 3 Coursework

  • Accuplacer Sentence 237+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT English 15+ OR English Level 1 Coursework

  OR ALL of the following:

  • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)

• Developmental Psychology

  10-809-188

  3Credit

  54

  108

  N/A

  N/A

  • Instructional Hours: 54
  • Outside Effort Hours: 108
  • Course Number: 10809188
  • Credits: 3.00

  N/A

  Developmental Psychology is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

  Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options:

  • SOC STY 10809198 - Intro to Psychology

  • Student is in progress in Practical Nursing (31-543-1) Program of Study

  • Instructor Consent