Program Quick Facts
About the Program
The Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Green River College prepares students to deliver safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care in a variety of healthcare settings. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on skills labs, and supervised clinical experiences, students develop the knowledge and competencies required for entry-level nursing practice.
The curriculum emphasizes core nursing concepts including patient assessment, clinical judgment, pharmacology, and care coordination across the lifespan. Students gain real-world experience through clinical placements in settings such as hospitals, long-term care, and community-based facilities, allowing them to apply skills in direct patient care environments.
The College offers three different LPN pathways, and each pathway has an option for Medical Assistants to recieve 2 credits through a prior learning assessment of thier MA training and experience.
Job Duties of an LPN: LPNs play a vital role in patient care, working under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors. Typical responsibilities include:
- Monitoring patient vital signs and reporting any changes to healthcare teams.
- Assisting patients with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
- Administering medications and injections as permitted by state regulations.
- Providing wound care and assisting with dressing changes.
- Collecting samples for lab tests and recording patient information.
- Educating patients and their families on managing illnesses and treatments.
- Collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and pursue employment as Licensed Practical Nurses in a range of healthcare settings, including acute care, outpatient clinics, and long-term care.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the LPN program at Green River College, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Must be 18 years of age by completion.
- Prerequisite Courses: Completion of 9 prerequisite courses with a 2.5 or higher in each class and a 3.0
or higher cumulative pre-requisite GPA. Competitive applicants typically have GPA's
between a 3.2 and 4.0.
- Applicants to Green River College’s LPN programs may have no more than one prerequisite course in progress at the time of application.
- Immunizations: Completion of required immunizations before clinical placements.
- Background Check & Drug Screening: Once admitted, student must clear a background check and may be asked to pass a drug screening, if mandated by their clinical site.
- LPN Application: Admission to the LPN program is selective. In addition to the College's general application, students must also submit the LPN application, which is posted during each program's applicaiton cycle.
- Transcript Evaluation: Students who have completed prerequistie coursework outside of the State of Washington's community and technical college system must have a completed transcript evaluation on file prior to applying to the program.
- Admitted Green River Student: Applicants to the LPN program must complete the College's general admission application, and be enrolled at the College, with a Green River student email account.
Open Houses & Workshops
Our Open Houses and Workshops provide valuable opportunities for prospective and current students to engage with Green River College’s nursing programs. These events are designed to support your journey into nursing, offering various types of workshops to meet your needs at different stages of your career pathway. Our montly Open Houses are the perfect opportunity for prospective students to explore our nursing programs and get a firsthand look at what it’s like to be part of our community. We also have Application Workshops that guide you through the admissions process, Job Preparation Workshops for developing resume and interview skills, and Technology Literacy Workshops that equip you with essential digital skills for healthcare.
Visit our Events Page