Washington is a beautiful state filled with orchards and mountains and volcanoes, known for cherries and apples. If you come from this Pacific Northwest state and are interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse, keep reading as there’s a lot of information here! This includes information about what LPN schooling programs in Washington tend to look like, what the profession is like, and what is required for LPN licensing in Washington. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll also find a section containing a list of Washington schools that may have practical nursing courses and programs.
Educational Courses/Programs – Practical Nursing – General Information
The goal of Washington practical nursing programs is to teach students to be functional, successful Practical Nurses. This is typically accomplished through theoretical and practical schooling, in classrooms, labs, and clinicals. Students may have to take wide range of nursing courses, from general education to nursing classes. Classes may include topics like transporting patients, caring for patients who are immobile, nutrition, medical measurements and units, as well as other various topics . Some classes, especially nursing classes, may have labs to accompany them and to teach students practical skills. Students may practice these skills in a lab in front of an instructor while he or she supervises and offers guidance or teaches. Clinicals provide the opportunity for students to further acclimate themselves to the world of nursing by allowing them to work at a hospital or other medical setting under close supervision. Clinicals may reflect what the student is learning in class; for example, a student may do a clinical with pediatrics while studying pediatric nursing. Sometimes clinicals start out with lighter responsibilities for the student and progress as the student advances in knowledge and skill level.
Typical LPN Job Tasks/Duties
LPNs are a very important part of any medical clinic, hospital system, or wherever they may work. They have a wide range of job duties and do a number of things to help patients. Some of the job duties or tasks that an LPN does may be dependent upon where they work, while others may be common among most LPNs no matter where they work. For example, an LPN working in a special section of a hospital may have different job duties than an LPN who works at a local health care clinic. However, some things like taking certain patient measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, etc.) are fairly common among all LPNs. In addition to their duties to patients, LPNs may spend some time helping to facilitate the communication between doctors and patients, and working with the other members of the medical team (other nurses, health aides, etc.). LPNs may also have some common office duties such as filing paperwork, organizing supplies, and other similar tasks.
Washington – Practical Nurse Licensing Information
In the state of Washington, practical nurses must be licensed in order to be employed as LPNs. They are licensed by the Washington Department of Health Nursing Commission (DOH), which can be found online at the Washington Nursing Commission’s website. Some information follows regarding licensing requirements and the licensing process in Washington, but for up-to-date information visit the DOH website.
Applicants for practical nursing licenses in Washington must complete an application and turn it in along with the application fee. Some of the questions may require extra documentation if the applicant’s response is “yes;” these questions mostly deal with past convictions, criminal history, and educational disciplinary actions. Applicants must also turn in a certificate of completion of a practical nursing program, which must include AIDS education, as well as submit official transcripts from the nursing school. Finally, prospective LPNs need to take the NCLEX (most LPN applicants across the United States must take) and pass it. If all requirements have been satisfied, then the DOH may issue a practical nurse license to the applicant.
Practical Nursing Programs in Washington
These schools might have various LPN schooling programs or courses available. To know for sure, you’d need to contact the school directly.
Centralia College
600 W Locust, Centralia, WA 98531
(360) 753-3433
Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steliacoom Blvd SW Bldg 14, Lakewood, WA 98499
(253) 589-5885
Everett Community College
2000 Tower St, Everett, WA 98201
(425) 388-9100
Green River Community College
12401 SE 320th St, Auburn, WA 98092
(253) 833-9111
Lower Columbia College
1600 Maple St, Longview, WA 98632
(360) 442.2860
Wentachee Valley College
1300 5th St, Wentachee, WA 98801
(509) 682-6662
Peninsula College
1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 417-6381
Columbia Basin College
2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 544-8300
North Seattle Community College
9600 College Way N, Seattle, WA
(206) 934-3600
Big Bend Community College
7662 Chanute St Ne, Moses Lake, WA 98837
(509) 793-2130
Yakima Community College
South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd, Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 574-4601
Walla Walla Community College
500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-2500
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