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The Practical Nursing program prepares the student for a career as a licensed practical nurse. LPNs provide safe and efficient nursing care in routine nursing situations under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician. In more complex situations, the LPN functions as an assistant to the registered nurse.

Practical Nurses administer medication; monitor equipment; change dressings; feed, bathe, and dress patients; and maintain patient charts. They also assess and monitor the health and illness of clients or patients.

To be licensed, the practical nurse must meet the requirements of the Washington Licensed Practical Nurse Act, Chapter 18.78.060. Green River’s Practical Nursing program prepares them to meet those licensing requirements.

The Practical Nursing certificate program consists of 106 to 111 credits. A minimum grade of 2.3 is required in each nursing and supporting course. Upon successful completion of the required credits, students earn a certificate in Practical Nursing. The graduate will then be eligible to take the licensing examination, and, upon passing with Nursing Commission approval, to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Practical Nurses are employed by:
assisted living centers
physician office
clinics
medical centers
psychiatric facilities
public health nursing services
home health care
hospitals
nursing homes
public school system

When can new students enroll?
Core classes for the Practical Nursing program begin fall quarter of each school year. Green River begins accepting applications for fall quarter admission on December 1 of the preceding year after program and academic prerequisites and general college admission requirements have been satisfied. Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, contact the curriculum advisor for Health Sciences at extension 2639.

Prerequisites
A high school diploma or GED is required.

Application is required for acceptance into the Practical Nursing program.

The application requirements fall into two stages: Those that must be met prior to acceptance into the core program, and those that must be completed prior to actual entrance into the program.

All science coursework for the Practical Nursing program must be completed successfully within five calendar years preceding the State Board exams. All Practical Nursing coursework must be completed successfully within two years preceding the State Board exams.

NOTE: If English is not your native language, you must take the ESL Assessment prior to meeting with an advisor.

Stage 1—Prior to acceptance
1. Submit a general application for admission to Green River and complete all admission requirements.
2. Demonstrate academic proficiency by completing the following college courses with a 2.3 grade or better in each course:
A. Reading 094 or 104 (5 credit Reading Mastery) or a satisfactory score on a reading placement test.*
B. English 108 (Medical Terminology, 2 credits). Placement in Medical Terminology is based upon completion of English 090 (Spelling Improvement) or by a satisfactory score on a spelling placement test.*
C. Acomp100N (Computation for Practical Nurses, 3 credits), placement into Acomp100N is based upon a math placement test.
D. Anatomy-Physiology 103 and 104 (5 credits each) or Anatomy-Physiology 205 and 206 (5 credits each). The Anatomy-Physiology classes must include labs.

All placement tests are part of the COMPASS assessment and are included in the general college admission requirements. Your college acceptance packet will explain how to schedule this assessment.

Students who are laddering into an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN-RN) program must take Anatomy-Physiology 205 and 206 and are recommended to take Biology 210.

It is recommended that the remaining curriculum requirements also be taken prior to entry into the core coursework. However, a student may choose to enroll in these courses later in the program:
Comm/Speech (5 credits). Choose from Comm 100, or Spch 100, or Spch 110, or Spch 234, or Spch 235. English Composition (5 credits). Choose from English 102, or 110, or 111, or 112, or 113.
3. Attend a Practical Nursing Orientation. The orientations are generally held the first Monday of each month during fall, winter and spring quarters, in STA-36, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
4. Submit an application for admission to the Practical Nursing program. Include with it a handwritten statement describing your interest and experience in the field.

There will be no exception to the admissions Policy.

Stage 2—Prior to entrance in the core classes
1. Provide proof of high school graduation or a GED.
2. Complete a Washington State Patrol Clearance Form. This form must be clear of convictions. Each nursing student is required to participate in an investigation for criminal history information prior to entry into the program. The Practical
Nursing program is in compliance with the “Child/Adult Abuse Information Act,” RCW 43.43.830–43.43.840. The clearance check needs to be free of any violations, including domestic violence convictions.
3. Obtain professional liability and accident/health insurance. The liability insurance is available
through the college. You can also purchase accident/health insurance at the college if you are
not already covered.
4. Obtain up-to-date MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) immunizations. Hepatitis B immunization, and T.B. skin/chest x-ray test are also required.
5. Possess a valid adult/child Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation card. CPR card must be renewed every 12 months.

Personal requirements for success in the program

• The support of the important people in your life.

• A financial base of support while you are in school.

• A dependable car to drive to clinical sites in South King and Pierce counties.

• The physical demands include a full range of body motion, handling and lifting patients, walking, manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Does the program transfer?
It is possible to ladder onto another college or Associate Degree Nursing (ADN-RN) program. An ADN-RN ladder program requires additional course work and provides the student with basic knowledge of the humanities and the social, physical and biological sciences. The ADN-RN is responsible for more complex nursing situations than the LPN. You must check with the transfer institution to make sure you are meeting the requirements for entrance.

Employment outlook
Job placement of graduates of the Practical Nursing program is excellent (99 percent). The Career Center maintains contact with doctors and private extended care agencies hiring practical nurses. The Career Center also helps students prepare resumes and develop interviewing skills.

Prior to receiving licensure, you will need to complete the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commissioner application form. You will be asked questions that relate to emotional, mental, physical and social limitations.

For specific information about Practical Nursing, contact: Health Science Admission Advisor Extension 2639

or

Julia Short, Instructor/Director of Program
Extension 4210
jshort@greenriver.edu

or

Elke Palmer/Instructor
Extension 4214
epalmer@greenriver.edu

Contact Information

Health Science Admission Advisor
Ext. 2657

Julia Short, Instructor/Director
Ext. 4210
jshort@greenriver.edu

Elke Palmer, Instructor
Ext. 4214
epalmer@greenriver.edu

Download & complete the following PDF documents:

Admission Information and PN Application
(126 KB)

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