About Nursing
Demand for highly qualified healthcare workers continues to grow within our region, state, nation and world. Green River College Nursing Programs offer a wide variety of health career training opportunities to meet the needs of our community. Our nursing programs provide a comprehensive curriculum that includes study in theory and practical experience.
You can graduate in 3-6 months and be job-ready with our four certificate programs. We also offer a Practical Nursing Associates of Applied Science for both traditional students and Licensed Medical Assistants that prepares students for state licensing and qualify as an LPN. The Practical Nursing Program is offered in both full-time and part-time/hybrid formats. For licensed practical nurses, we offer a two-year hybrid BSN program that is designed for working nurses.
Students who plan to go straight to their Bachelors of Science in Nursing at a university, rather than pursue LPN first, should review the Pre-Nursing Transfer Degree.
Looking for the old Nursing Web Page? View previous Nursing page.
Need help? For a tool that guides you through our nursing programs, check out our Green River College Nursing Guide.
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
Bachelor Degree Options
The LPN to BSN program at Green River provides licensed practical nurses with a streamlined pathway to become registered nurses while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 90-credit LPN to BSN program in which students must have current, unencumbered licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Washington.
Length of Program: 195 creditsAverage Salary: $107,437
Location: Main Campus
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Part-Time)
This Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a part-time BSN program actively being
developed. While the launch date is not yet finalized, stay tuned for updates on this
exciting opportunity!
Associate Options
The Practical Nursing AAS program at Green River equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to become licensed practical nurses.
Associate in Pre-Nursing, APreN-DTA/MRP
The Associate in Pre-Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program is generally
pursued by students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university at the
junior level to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN).
Length of Program: 90-91 credits
Average Salary: $107,437
Practical Nursing, AAS
This degree program prepares a student to provide safe and efficient nursing care.
Health facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and public health nursing
services employ practical nurses under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
Length of Program: 90 credits
Average Salary: $75,772
Contact Us
For general inquiries, please fill out our general inquiry form or email nursing@greenriver.edu
For Pre-Nursing students, please conatct the Career and Advising Center.
For BSN adivising, please contact Adam Brown at abrown@greenriver.edu
To contact a specific staff or faculty member, please find their contact information on the Campus Directory
Program Links
Have Questions About Registration?
- Welcome Desk: 253-333-6000, welcomedesk@greenriver.edu
- Office of the Registrar: 253-288-3383, otr@greenriver.edu
Accreditation Information
The Green River College Practical Nursing Program is accredited by the National League
for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600
Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
The Green River College Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Practical Nursing, AAS Part-time (Hybrid)
This degree program prepares a student to provide safe and efficient nursing care.
Health facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and public health nursing
services employ practical nurses under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
Practical Nursing, AAS Part-time (Online)
Green River College offers multiple pathways within its Practical Nursing (PN) program to accommodate diverse student needs. The Full-Time LPN Program is a face-to-face option spanning three quarters, with students completing 15 credits per quarter. The Hybrid Part-Time LPN Program follows a hybrid model over six quarters, combining hybrid coursework with in-person lab, clinical and simulation sessions one evening and one day a week.
Certificate Options
The nursing certificate programs at Green River allow students to earn a valuable nursing credential in just 3-6 months, providing essential skills and training for a successful entry into the healthcare field.
Nurse Assistant Certificate
The Nursing Assistant Certificate Program is a comprehensive and hands-on; designed
to prepare individuals for a rewarding career in healthcare as certified nursing assistants
(CNAs).
Length of Program: 15 credits
Average Salary: $45,896
Apply to Program
Emergency Room and Patient Care Technician Certificate
This program consists of two stackable certificates, both the Nursing Assistant and
MA-Phlebotomy certificates. Graduates will be eligible for state examination and licensure
for both MA-Phlebotomy and Nursing Assistant. Successful licensure will allow the
graduate to work as a patient care or emergency room technician.
Length of Program: 30 credits
Average Salary: $107,437
Career Outlook
Nursing is a great career for students who want to help others and work in health care. There are many types of nursing jobs, and each one plays an important role in caring for people.
Types of Nursing Jobs
There are different kinds of nurses, such as:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – helps patients with daily needs like bathing, dressing, and eating.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – gives basic medical care and helps with medicine and patient checkups.
- Registered Nurse (RN) – provides direct care, gives medicine, works with doctors, and helps in hospitals and clinics.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) – can diagnose illnesses, order tests, and treat patients like a doctor.
Each type of nurse needs a different amount of schooling, but all are important.
Job Opportunities
Nurses are needed everywhere—hospitals, schools, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and even in people’s homes. Many places are looking for more nurses right now. That means students who graduate from nursing programs usually find jobs quickly.
Job Growth
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers. More people need medical care, especially as they get older. This means more nurses will be needed in the future.
Pay and Hours
Nursing pay depends on the type of job and where you live.
-
CNAs may earn around $30,000–$40,000 per year.
-
LPNs often earn $45,000–$55,000.
-
RNs usually earn $65,000–$90,000.
-
NPs can earn over $100,000.
Many nurses work full-time, and some may work nights, weekends, or holidays, since hospitals are open 24/7.
Room to Grow
Nursing offers many chances to grow. You can start as a CNA and go back to school to become an RN or NP. You can also choose a specialty, like working with children, in surgery, or in emergency rooms.