LPN Programs in Washington

LPN Programs in Washington

By EveryNurse Staff on January 16, 2023

LPN Programs in Washington
With the LPN industry growing by 1.4% every year, and a growing demand for qualified healthcare workers, licensed practical nurses are seeing more opportunities and higher pay than ever in the state of Washington. These professionals assist doctors and registered nurses as well as providing support and information to patients in a variety of healthcare settings. Those who are interested in becoming an LPN will need to seek out a high-quality training program in Washington.

Schools With LPN Programs in Washington

  • Green River Community College offers up a high quality practical nursing program lasting 12 months. In order to move forward with the courses, individuals must earn at least a 2.5 in each course. The cost per credit is approximately $106. The students accepted into the program must attend an orientation to begin and will be required to submit to background checks and receive a drug-screening.
  • The practical nursing program at Olympic College in Bremerton is a one-year program that assists students in becoming competent and qualified licensed practical nurses. The program includes classroom study and clinical practice, as well as covering topics such as anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, geriatric nursing and more. Once the program is completed, students will receive a certificate of specialization which enables them to take the NCLEX-PN examination.
  • Spokane Community College’s nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation and the Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance Commission. After completing the first four quarters of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program, students can receive a practical nursing certificate and take the NCLEX-PN examination. Instruction takes place in the classroom as well as a variety of clinical settings. The cost per credit hour is approximately $107, but additional fees (books, uniforms, miscellaneous fees) will be required as well.
  • The nursing program at Columbia Basin College is a ladder program, meaning that individuals can earn their practical nursing certificate while in pursuit of their associate’s degree. The school boasts one of the highest rates of passage for the National Council Licensure Examination in the state of Washington, and the job placement rates are high as well. Classroom, laboratory experiences and clinical instruction are all part of this program, including hands-on learning at various local healthcare facilities. The approximate cost for the first year (in order to gain the practical nursing certificate) is $6,300, not including fees and supply costs.
  • Clover Park Technical College turns out the highest number of LPN graduates in the state of Washington on average. Located in Lakewood, this program is nationally accredited and in order to gain the certificate, students must maintain a B average. To be eligible to enter this program, individuals must submit to a background check and drug-screening and must have the required immunizations.
  • Seattle Community College offers practical nursing programs at both the south and north campuses. The ladder program enables students to take part in the associate’s degree program, and then take the exit point after the first year with a practical nursing certificate. LPN students at Seattle Community College consistently have a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN.
  • The practical nursing program at Skagit Valley College is available both part time and full time. The full time program lasts 12-months and is composed of 50 credits, and those who complete the first year will be eligible to receive the practical nursing certificate. This certificate enables students to take the NCLEX-PN examination. The part time program makes it easy for working students to easily earn their PN certificate.
  • South Puget Sound Community College’s nursing program prepares students by providing knowledge of anatomy, physiology and basic chemistry. Classes include topics like psychiatric and mental health nursing as well as geriatric and obstetric nursing. After completing the first year of the nursing program, students are eligible to receive the practical nursing certificate which makes them eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination. There is a $25 application fee required to apply for the program, and the estimated program costs (including books and supplies) is $9,000.
  • The nursing program at Walla Walla Community College offers two different levels of education: practical nursing and associate degree nursing. Those who complete the first year courses as well as the additional coursework in the summer quarter will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination to earn licensure as a practical nurse. This program is nationally accredited and approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing. There is a $30 application fee to get the process started.
  • Yakima Valley Community College, like most other colleges within the state of Washington, offers the associate’s degree in nursing with an exit point after the first year. Those who complete this first year of the program are eligible to receive a practical nursing certificate and to take the NCLEX-PN exam. The PN program is accredited by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
  • In order to gain the practical nursing certificate at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, individuals must complete the first six quarters of the part time associate degree of nursing program. It requires 68 credits to complete and in order to be accepted into the program, individuals must pass a background check as well as a drug-screening. Applications directly into the LPN program are not accepted; students must take the RN program and apply for PN licensure after the 4th quarter of technical courses.
  • Lower Columbia College offers an associate’s degree in applied science and those who complete the first four quarters will earn a certificate of proficiency, making them eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Those who wish to pursue a higher licensing can continue to take the nursing curriculum and earn an associate in applied science transfer degree, making them eligible to become a registered nurse. Admission requirements include prerequisite courses and certification as a nurse’s assistant as well as passing scores on the TEAS examination. The estimated total cost of tuition for the certificate program is $5,730.
  • Wenatchee Valley College’s nursing program offers three career options, including a practical nursing certificate of completion. This is offered to those who have completed the first year of the associate degree program, and it enables them to take the licensure examination for practical nursing. Courses include hands-on clinical work in various healthcare settings throughout the community as well as valuable classroom and laboratory instruction.
  • The nursing program at Grays Harbor College is a six-quarter program which offers up an associate of applied science degree in registered nursing. Those who complete the first year as well as 1 additional credit in “Personal and Vocational Relationships” will have the option to apply for a certificate of completion in practical nursing, which enables them to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Those admitted to the program must submit documentation of current immunizations, and must have CPR certification as well as submitting to criminal background checks. The estimated cost per quarter for this school is $1415.
  • Big Bend Community College’s nursing program gives students an advantage by combining classroom work with laboratory and clinical experiences; all of which combines to create a knowledgeable, competent practical nurse. Like most Washington colleges, Big Bend offers a ladder program with three possible outcomes: nursing assistant, practical nursing and registered nursing. Those who complete the three quarter level 1 associate degree in nursing program with the PN summer quarter option will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN. This program is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission as well as the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.
  • Heritage University accepts 25 new practical nursing students each fall semester, and admission is quite competitive. The program prepares students for entry-level practical nursing positions by combining clinical practice with classroom theory and laboratory experiences. Not only does the program prepare students to take the NCLEX-PN exam, but provides an excellent foundation to continue their education to earn licensure as a registered nurse.

Level Up Your Career

Washington LPN Checklist

Washington Salary & Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that practical nurses living in the state of Washington earn an annual median salary of $48,060. This is higher than the national average for LPNs, and individuals have the potential to earn as much as $80,000. Many different variables will affect the actual salary of a practical nurse, including their experience and where they live within the state.

Additional Washington Program Rankings

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