Jake Flannigan, NP
June 4, 2025
LPNs who are Licensed Practical Nurses deliver fundamental healthcare services throughout various medical facilities. The healthcare system of Washington State depends heavily on LPNs to provide essential services to patients throughout long-term care facilities as well as community clinics and rural health centers. The essential responsibilities of LPNs include checking vital signs while helping patients with personal hygiene needs, basic wound care, and giving particular medications. The nursing team benefits from their assistance because their work helps patients receive constant compassionate care.
Yakima, WA - Public 4-Year - yvcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Yakima Valley College's Practical Nursing Certificate is an intensive one-year program designed to launch students into a critical healthcare career. Over four quarters, students complete comprehensive coursework and clinical training, preparing them to become licensed practical nurses. The program combines rigorous academic prerequisites with hands-on clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings. Students must complete six prerequisite courses, including biology, anatomy, and psychology, before entering the nursing sequence. Total program cost is approximately $5,000-$6,000, including tuition, textbooks, and required equipment. Admission is competitive, requiring TEAS test scores, immunization documentation, and a strong academic foundation.
Auburn, WA - Public 4-Year - greenriver.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Green River College in Auburn, WA, offers a Practical Nursing program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in healthcare. With options for full-time, part-time hybrid, and part-time online study, the program caters to diverse schedules. Full-time students can complete the program in 9 months, while part-time options extend over 17 months. The curriculum includes hands-on training, with NCLEX-PN pass rates at 92%. Costs are approximately $7,000-$8,000, covering tuition and fees. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA in prerequisite courses, a background check, and up-to-date immunizations. Graduates are ready to take the NCLEX-PN exam and work in various healthcare settings.
Concentration: Medical Assistants - Online Learning - Visit Website
Green River College in Auburn, WA, offers a Practical Nursing program with a concentration for Medical Assistants, blending online and in-person learning. This program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam, opening doors to careers in various healthcare settings. With options for full-time, part-time hybrid, and part-time online studies, it caters to diverse schedules. Costs are approximately $7,000-$8,000, with selective admissions based on academic and healthcare experience. Medical Assistants receive credit for their skills, enhancing their pathway to becoming LPNs.
Aberdeen, WA - Public 4-Year - ghc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, WA, offers a Practical Nursing Certificate of Proficiency, designed for those aiming to enter the nursing field. This program requires a 2.5 GPA, TEAS exam, and a current Washington State NA-C license. It includes 45 credits of general education and 39 credits of nursing core courses. Courses cover anatomy, microbiology, and pharmacology, with a focus on practical skills. The program is competitive, emphasizing hands-on experience and ethical healthcare practices.
Lakewood, WA - Public 4-Year - cptc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, WA, offers a Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate program designed for those passionate about healthcare. This campus-based program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing with hands-on experience and simulation technology. Admission requires a 2.7 GPA or higher, with points awarded for work experience, veteran status, and bilingual skills. The program spans three quarters, focusing on patient care and clinical techniques, leading to certification exam eligibility.
Bellingham, WA - Public 4-Year - btc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Practical Nursing Certificate at Bellingham Technical College provides an efficient pathway to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in just 18 months. Designed for students seeking a flexible, part-time healthcare career, this program prepares graduates to enter the rapidly growing nursing field. Students complete a comprehensive curriculum that covers essential nursing concepts, clinical skills, and professional practices. The program costs approximately $16,000 in tuition, with additional expenses for tools and living costs. Admission requires completion of prerequisite courses in anatomy, chemistry, statistics, and psychology, with specific grade requirements. Graduates can expect strong job prospects, with a 12% projected job growth in Washington State and starting wages around $46,240 annually.
Washington State prohibits fully online LPN programs because students need direct patient contact for clinical training. Practical nursing requires direct patient care experience for graduates to achieve both safety and effectiveness in their professional work. Several colleges provide hybrid programs that teach theory classes through online learning while students must attend clinicals and labs in person. The combination of online and in-person learning provides working students along with those who need to balance other commitments with more flexibility. Some educational institutions offer programs during evenings and weekends to help students with various scheduling needs.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Green River College |
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| Edmonds College |
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| Pima Medical Institute-Seattle |
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| Certifying Board | Washington State Board of Nursing – Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from an approved practical nursing program with official transcript and program verification submitted through SecureAccess Washington |
| Application & Fees | $93 licensure-by-exam application fee for a single-state license, $200 NCLEX-PN exam fee, fingerprint-based state and FBI background check required |
| Processing Time | Authorization To Test issued in 1–2 weeks, permanent license typically granted 2–3 weeks after passing NCLEX and background clearance |
| License Renewal | Annual renewal by your birthday with a $93 renewal fee, late renewals accepted up to one year with a $50 late fee |
| Continuing Competency | Annual requirement of 96 nursing practice hours and eight continuing education hours (including two hours of health equity training) |
| Licensure by Endorsement | Out-of-state LPNs apply via endorsement with verification of a current unrestricted license, fingerprint-based background check, and proof of recent practice or board-approved refresher, option to upgrade to a multi-state license. |
LPNs working in Washington receive compensation that exceeds the national industry salary standards for this profession. LPNs working in Washington State earn more than seventy thousand dollars per year based on their work experience along with their location and healthcare setting. The city of Seattle, along with Bellevue, offers the highest compensation to nurses because of high living costs and increased nursing skill requirements. The rural sector provides excellent opportunities for employment since LPNs maintain crucial roles in both outpatient clinics and long-term care facilities. The job market for licensed practical nurses in Washington State remains promising because the population grows older while healthcare services become more accessible.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Washington | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $62,277 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $30.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$69,600 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $62,277 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$56,139 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2020–2030) | 6% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~740 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane Community College |
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| Bellingham Technical College |
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| Green River College |
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LPNs working in Washington State can advance their careers through additional education and specialized training. The standard path for LPN career advancement leads to LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which let practical nurses achieve associate or bachelor’s degree nursing status. The advanced standing policy for previous work and clinical experience in these programs helps practical nurses finish their studies more efficiently. Working professionals can choose from different education programs that provide flexible scheduling options. LPNs who wish to advance their careers can obtain additional certifications in wound care, IV therapy, and gerontology to improve their abilities and salaries. LPNs who gain experience in healthcare facilities can transition into leadership positions that involve supervising support staff and overseeing patient care operations in long-term facilities. The healthcare system of Washington State promotes continuous learning by offering employers tuition reimbursement benefits to support employee education. LPNs who start with practical nursing education can use this foundation to gain additional professional roles that improve their patient care contributions.
Additional Nursing Programs in Washington
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