The 2013 Wisconsin Licensed Practical Nurse Survey Report and its accompanying brochure were accomplished with significant support of key individuals and partners. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are a critical segment of the nursing workforce in the state. This report is sponsored by the Wisconsin Center for Nursing, Inc. (WCN) in partnership with the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
WCN greatly appreciates the dedicated volunteer researchers and the contributions of their respective institutions: Cynthia Larsen MSN, RN, Southwest Technical College and PhD student at Marquette University College of Nursing, Lea Acord, PhD, RN, Marquette University College of Nursing, , biostatistician Jessica Pruszynski, PhD from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Octavia Bree, RN BSN, Marquette University Research Assistant.
Their work on this critical report provides comprehensive information on the status of the LPN workforce in Wisconsin and recommends strategies to address future nursing shortages.
Many partner organizations provided expertise in the design, development and delivery of the survey. In particular, the work being done by members of the Wisconsin Healthcare Workforce Collaborative was not only critical to the creation of the original survey design in 2011, but also resulted in improvements to the 2013 LPN Survey.
We are grateful to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for making the survey accessible to the thousands of LPNs in our state, and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, without whose assistance, our work would not be possible. We also wish to thank Wisconsin LPNs for completing the survey, and the care they provide to patients and their families.
WCN also extends sincere appreciation to the Faye McBeath Foundation, a long-standing partner that has provided support to nursing workforce development since the inception of our organization.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the many schools and organizations that will utilize this information to advance nursing education and practice to assure a sufficient, competent and diverse nursing workforce for the people of Wisconsin.