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!
Length of Program: 195 credits
Average Salary: $107,437
Location: Main Campus
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
Length of Program: 90-91 credits
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
The full-time LPN program prepares students to deliver safe and efficient nursing
care in a variety of healthcare settings. Students attend in-person classes four days
a week, gaining hands-on experience and classroom instruction. Graduates are ready
to work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians in hospitals, clinics,
nursing homes, and public health agencies.
Length of Program: 9 months
Average Salary: $75,772
Practical Nursing, AAS Part-time (Hybrid Weekdays)
Designed for those balancing work or other responsibilities, the part-time hybrid
weekday LPN program prepares students to provide safe, effective nursing care. Students
attend in-person classes two weekdays per week, with additional coursework completed
online. Practical nurses work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians
in settings such as clinics, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and community health
organizations.
Length of Program: 17 months
Average Salary: $75,772
Practical Nursing, AAS Part-time (Hybrid Saturdays)
The part-time hybrid Saturday LPN program offers a flexible path for students to become
skilled, compassionate practical nurses. In-person classes are held all day on Saturdays,
with online learning during the week. Graduates are trained to deliver safe and efficient
patient care under the direction of registered nurses or physicians in environments
like hospitals, nursing homes, and public health services.
Length of Program: 17 months
Average Salary: $75,772
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
Length of Program: 15 credits
Average Salary: $45,896
Apply to Program
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.
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Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Typically earn between $36,000 and $45,000 per year.
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Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): Usually earn $58,000 to $72,000 annually.
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Registered Nurses (RNs): Commonly make $85,000 to $110,000 per year.
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Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Often earn $120,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on specialty and setting.
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.