Nursing Schools Almanac has just released its 2021 rankings of the best nursing programs in Wisconsin. Blackhawk Technical College was included on two distinct lists: the best associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs and the best licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs.

According to the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing, Blackhawk’s LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) nursing students achieved the highest ranking across the state for first-time test takers using data aggregated over the past nine years. This outpaces notables such as Milwaukee Area Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, and Carroll University. The Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) students also ranked among the top five in the state.

“I am so proud of these students,” said Moira Lafayette, BTC’s Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety. “This exam performance is a testimony to all the hard work our staff and students take on to be a part of a top program. It’s also evidence of BTC’s commitment to helping alleviate the nursing shortage.”

The NCLEX-PN exam is used by all state boards of nursing across the United States to help assess a student’s competency. Many state boards of nursing use NCLEX-PN pass rates to approve a school’s ability to provide nursing education.

BTC’s Nursing program is a four-semester course including classroom, skills lab, and clinical experiences. Students have the option of completing the first two semesters, then taking an examination which could lead to a license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Most students prefer to complete all four semesters, allowing them to take the examination leading to a Registered Nurse (RN) license. BTC’s nursing program also has 14 different transfer agreements for students who wish to continue their education and pursue a four-year degree.

“I am very proud of our nursing program,” said Debora Pessoa, BTC Nursing Program Chair. “Our ranking in the Nursing Schools Almanac reflects the dedication and diligence of both students and faculty over the ten years included in the statistics evaluated to determine this ranking. I expect to continue to see BTC’s Nursing Program near the top of the rankings in the coming years.”

Well done, faculty and future nurses!