Practical Nursing Application and Admissions

Program Admission

Admission to Green River’s LPN program is competitive and requires applicants to meet several eligibility requirements. The program utilizes a holistic admissions process, meaning no single criterion or score determines admission. Instead, applications are evaluated based on a combination of academic history, work experience, and written responses within the application.

Applicants may also earn additional points for meeting specific criteria outlined in the application. These may include completion of a Nursing & Healthcare Studies certificate program, first-generation college student status, multilingual ability, and other qualifying factors.

While healthcare experience is not required, applicants with experience in healthcare or in roles that demonstrate transferable skills are often more competitive.

 

Program Timelines and Application Cycles

• Fulltime LPN Program

  • Application Cycle: April 15th - 4pm on June 1st
  • Program Start: Fall Quarter
  • Program Duration: 3 Consecutive Quarters

• Part-Time Weekday Hybrid LPN Program

  • Application Cycle: December 1st - 4pm on January 15th 
  • Program Start: Spring Quarter
  • Program Duration: 6 Consecutive Quarters

• Part-Time Weekend Hybrid Program 

  • Application Cycle: September 15th - 4pm on November 1st.
  • Program Start: Winter Quarter
  • Program Duration: 6 Consecutive Quarters

 

Program Requirements

Admission to Green River College
Applicants must be admitted to Green River College and have an active student email account.

Age Requirement
Students must be at least 18 years old within three months of program completion.  

Background Check and Drug Screening
Admitted students must be able to pass a background check and complete a drug screening if required by their assigned clinical site.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Applicants must hold an active BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA). Only AHA BLS certifications are accepted for clinical placement. Visit the AHA Basic Life Support Training page to locate a class near you.

Immunizations and Required Testing
Admitted students must meet all immunization and testing requirements. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be submitted with the application.

Required immunizations and tests include:

• • Two-step TB test

  • Influenza (seasonal) vaccine

  • Hepatitis B (vaccine or titer)

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine or titer

  • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or titer

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine

  • COVID-19 vaccine (received after September 2023)

Prerequisite Coursework

• All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.5, and applicants must have a cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 3.0.
• Applicants may have one prerequisite course in progress at the time of application; however, in-progress courses do not earn points in the scoring process. As a result, applicants with outstanding prerequisites may be less competitive than those who have completed all requirements.
• Please note that the GPAs listed above are minimum requirements. While competitiveness varies by application cycle, most admitted applicants have a prerequisite GPA between 3.2 and 4.0.

 

Prerequisite Courses

Minimum Requirements

• • Minimum grade of 2.5 in each prerequisite course

  • Minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0

Retakes and Course Expiration

• • No limits or penalties for course retakes
  • Courses do not expire

In-Progress Coursework

• • One prerequisite may be in progress at time of application

  • In-progress courses do not earn application points and may reduce competitiveness

Competitive GPA

• • Minimum GPAs are required for eligibility

  • Most admitted students have a prerequisite GPA between 3.2 – 4.0.

Prerequisite Courses

• • BIO& 160 or BIO& 211: General Biology with Lab or Majors Cellular (5 credits)
  • BIO& 241: Anatomy & Physiology I (5 credits)
  • BIO& 242: Anatomy & Physiology II (5 credits)
  • CMST& 101, 210, 220, 230, or 240: Communication Studies (5 credits)
  • ENGL& 101: English Composition (5 credits)
  • MATH& 146 or MATH 256: Introduction to Statistics or Statistics for Business and Social Science (5 credits)
  • NUTR& 101: Nutrition (5 credits)
  • PSYC& 100: General Psychology (5 credits)
  • PSYC& 200: Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)

 

Transfer Courses (If Applicable) 

Transfer Coursework from Other Colleges

• • Must be from a regionally accredited institution

  • Must be equivalent in content to Green River College courses

  • Technical program courses (e.g., NAC, MA, Surgical Tech) are not accepted

Transcript Evaluation (if applicable)

• • An official transcript evaluation, along with the Transcript Evaluation Request form, is needed in order to transfer-in credits from other colleges. 
  • Applicants with coursework completed outside the Washington State community and technical college system must have an official transcript evaluation on file prior to applying to the program.

 

Application Requirments

1. Apply to Green River College

• • Submit the college application

  • Activate your student email (required for LPN application)

2. Meet Eligibility Requirements

• • Complete all prerequisite courses

  • Obtain American Heart Association BLS certification

  • Meet immunization, age, background check, and drug screening requirements

3. Submit Transcripts (if applicable)

• • Coursework completed outside of the Washington State community and technical college system requires a completed transcript evaluation on file prior to application.

    • Submit official transcripts + Transcript Evaluation Request form

    • Allow 2–6+ weeks for evaluation

4. Complete the LPN Application

Available online on the College's Practical Nursing page during these periods:

• • Weekend Hybrid: Sept 15 – Nov 1 at 4pm

  • Weekday Hybrid: Dec 1 – Jan 15 at 4pm

  • Fulltime: Apr 15 – June 1 at 4pm

5. Receive Admission Decision

Once your application has been reviewed and scored, you will be notified of your admission decision via email approximately one month after the application closes.

• • Offer Acceptance: If you are offered admission or placed on the waitlist, you must accept your offer to secure your spot

  • Orientation Requirement: Admitted students are required to attend a mandatory in-person orientation. Orientation dates are published with each application

Each step is critical to ensuring readiness for the LPN program. For additional assistance, contact Nursing & Healthcare Studies at NHS@greenriver.edu.