Wisconsin’s healthcare industry has boomed. Some estimates project that the state will see a double-digit increase in nursing jobs over the next decade. To support this growing sector, Milwaukee offers a number of state-approved nursing programs. Graduates can pursue employment at major local healthcare providers like Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and Community Memorial Hospital. It is critical for prospective students to find the right program before embarking on their nursing careers.
Nursing roles
The three main types of nursing roles are certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN). CNAs provide bedside and quality-of-life care for sick, injured, and elderly patients in a hospital or nursing facility. LPNs execute a broader range of healthcare tasks, including recording vital signs, dressing wounds, preparing injections, monitoring medical equipment, and collecting samples for testing. RNs play the most independent role in administering critical patient care, working in tandem with doctors and physicians.
Prospective students can select from a variety of degree and certificate programs. CNA certificates are offered at over 15 community and technical colleges across Wisconsin. Prospective LPNs must complete a lengthier certificate program, typically 12 to 18 months in length, and successfully pass a national licensure exam. Aspiring RNs in Wisconsin can complete a prelicensure associate’s or bachelor’s degree program; they must also successfully pass a national licensure exam. The Milwaukee metropolitan area has over a dozen accredited nursing schools, including Columbia College of Nursing, Marquette University, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Employment prospects
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Milwaukee area employs over 30,000 nurses, including 10,000 CNAs, 2,600 LPNs, and 18,000 RNs. The median annual salary for each role is $25,910, $46,130, and $65,540, respectively.
To better profile all of Milwaukee’s nursing programs, we have compiled below a comprehensive list of nursing schools throughout the metropolitan area.