Washington’s community and technical colleges offer prelicensure programs for both licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). These programs train students for a career in healthcare, and they help students prepare for the mandatory national licensure examination.
Licensed practical nurses
LPN certificate programs are offered at over twenty vocational, career, and community colleges throughout Washington. LPN programs typically take 12-18 months to complete. They include a mix of classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience. Graduates must also pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure exam before practicing. Washington’s 8,000 LPNs typically earn between $40,000 and $55,000 annually.
Registered nurses
Washington’s aspiring RNs can pursue several pathways to licensure. One of the most popular routes is the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). ADN programs are offered at over twenty community and technical colleges across the state of Washington, as well as several traditional colleges and universities. The ADN typically requires two years of fulltime study to complete. It teaches students the skills to provide a high level of independent patient care. Graduates must also pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure exam before practicing. The state of Washington is home to over 50,000 RNs who earn an impressive median annual salary of $75,500.
Washington has many reputable hospitals and healthcare centers, including the nationally ranked University of Washington Medical Center. This means that new nursing graduates will find compelling career opportunities across the state.
You can learn more about Washington’s vocational, career, and community colleges by referencing below our comprehensive list of their nursing programs.