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 offers a one-year Practical Nursing Certificate program, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam through intensive coursework and clinical training across diverse healthcare settings. The program requires completion of six prerequisites, including biology and anatomy, and has a total cost of approximately $5,000-$6,000. Admission is competitive, necessitating TEAS test scores and immunization documentation, with no entrance exam like ACT or SAT required as it's a certificate-level program.
Auburn, WA - Public 4-Year - greenriver.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Green River College in Auburn, WA, offers a Practical Nursing program with flexible full-time (9 months), part-time hybrid, and online options (17 months each). It features a 92% NCLEX-PN pass rate, hands-on training, and costs $7,000-$8,000. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, background check, and immunizations, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare roles without a specified concentration.
Concentration: Medical Assistants - Online Learning - Visit Website
Green River College's Practical Nursing program with a Medical Assistants concentration combines online and in-person learning, offering credits for prior experience. It prepares for the NCLEX-PN exam with a 92% pass rate, costs $7,000-$8,000, and has selective admissions. This pathway enhances career opportunities for medical assistants transitioning to LPN roles.
Aberdeen, WA - Public 4-Year - ghc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, WA, provides a Practical Nursing Certificate of Proficiency, ideal for aspiring nurses. This campus-based program requires a 2.5 GPA, TEAS entrance exam, and a current Washington State NA-C license. It spans 84 credits, including 45 in general education and 39 in nursing core courses, covering subjects like anatomy, microbiology, and pharmacology. Emphasizing practical skills and ethical healthcare, it offers hands-on experience and is approved by Washington State, with a competitive admission process.
Lakewood, WA - Public 4-Year - cptc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Clover Park Technical College's Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate program in Lakewood, WA, is a campus-based course spanning three quarters, emphasizing hands-on clinical experience and simulation technology for patient care. Admission requires a 2.7 GPA, with additional points for work experience, veteran status, and bilingual skills. This program prepares students for certification exams, focusing on practical nursing techniques without a specified concentration or entrance exam requirement, making it ideal for aspiring LPNs seeking a direct path into healthcare.
Bellingham, WA - Public 4-Year - btc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bellingham Technical College offers an 18-month Practical Nursing Certificate program, ideal for those pursuing a part-time path to become an LPN. The curriculum covers core nursing skills and clinical practices, with tuition around $16,000 plus additional costs. Admission requires prerequisite courses in anatomy, chemistry, statistics, and psychology with specific grade criteria. Graduates benefit from strong job prospects, including a 12% growth rate in Washington and starting wages near $46,240, supported by high NCLEX pass rates and accreditation.
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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