Edmonds Community College is now accepting applicants to start spring quarter in its Licensed Practical Nursing program. The college has received approval from the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to offer the training. Graduates will receive a certificate of proficiency in practical nursing.
Get your questions answered about the practical nursing program. Attend one of our upcoming information sessions.
Students should apply for financial aid by Jan. 15. The deadline to apply for the nursing program is 5 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 31 in order to start this spring
Edmonds Community College’s Licensed Practical Nursing program is designed for students who hold a valid CNA license in Washington State and are currently working in a direct patient care profession such as nursing assistant, medical assistant, or surgical technician. The seven quarter, part-time program takes 21 months to complete. It is designed for working students.
Kyra McCoy has been hired as the nursing program director. She has more than 30 years experience as a nurse and nurse instructor. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Wesleyan University, her Master of Science in Nursing at St. Louis University, and did doctoral work in nursing at Oregon Health Sciences University. She also earned her Legal Nurse Consultant Certification in 2002. She has taught at the University of Wisconsin and the Oregon Health Sciences University and is a member of the Washington State Nurses Association.
“This part-time online program at Edmonds will allow people working in direct patient care to continue to work while going to school. After graduation they can work as an LPN, which is a significant pay increase, as they continue on with their education to become a Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree,” said McCoy.
Theory classes will be taught online and in hybrid classes (online with some classroom time). Hands on labs will take place on campus one to two evenings per week and at clinical experiences caring for patients in long-term care facilities, acute care hospitals, and community agencies.
After graduation, individuals must take and pass the N-CLEX PN examination to be licensed by the state as a practical nurse. Licensed graduates are qualified for employment as entry-level staff in long-term care facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home care agencies.
“Many of the LPN’s in our state are approaching retirement age. A shrinking nursing workforce will continue to drive the demand for more nurses. Washington’s aging population is also an important factor, LPNs are the primary nursing care providers in eldercare settings,” said McCoy.
Students may also choose classes that allow them to continue their studies in a Registered Nurse program.
Edmonds Community College previously offered the LPN training in partnership with Lake Washington Institute of Technology, but has now been approved by the state nursing commission and community college system to offer the training locally.
The nursing program has admission requirements beyond those necessary for general admission to the college. Spring quarter classes start April 1 at Edmonds Community College.