Practical Nurse

Do you enjoy caring for others? A degree in practical nursing may be perfect for you.

For some students, the decision to pursue a career in nursing is easy. Maybe you come from a family of nurses or perhaps ever since you were a child, you dreamed of being a nurse. Maybe you experienced a life-changing event which spurred you to look into a career in healthcare. What nursing students all have in common is the dedication, passion and compassion to help others. Our nursing students learn what it takes to provide safe, quality, compassionate care for cross-cultural populations as well as provide care to patients both young and old. Newly licensed graduates could earn $18-23 per hour. A degree in practical nursing opens doors to opportunities. Make your dream a reality. At Bates, students have access to childcare, access to public or free transportation to and from the college, and the ability to locally transfer to a ADN or BSN bridge program. Apply today!

General Information

Career Advisor: Jason Carroll
253-680-7002 | jcarroll@batestech.edu

Location: Downtown Campus
Hours: 7:30AM - 3:00PM

Program Length: Four - Four Quarters

Prerequisites:

  1. You must achieve a B/3.0 or better within in each class prior to entrance in the LPN program.
  • ENG&101 or 102*
  • PSYC&200*/psychology through the lifespan
  • CHEM&121* (must include lab)/beginning chemistry
  • BIO&260* (must include lab)/microbiology
  • BIO&241 and 242 (must include lab)/anatomy & physiology
  • MATH&146* (or higher)/basic statistics
  • CMST&210/interpersonal communication (there are no substitutions for this course)
  • NUTR&101/nutrition
  • NAC/Pass Certification Nursing Assistant Exam/Medical Assistant Training will not substitute

*or equivalent

  1. Pass the certification Nursing Assistant exam
  2. Minimum age for program entry: 18 years of age
  3. Pass a clear national and Washington state background check. The background check must be completed within program start date and paying the $50 college registration fee. Order your background check here.
  4. Documentary evidence of current immunizations and medical/dental evaluation within two weeks of program start date.
  5. Documentary evidence of current American Heart Association, Health Care Provider approved CPR card within program start date.
  6. Must meet pre-determined Accuplacer levels in reading and writing
  7. Meet with a Practical Nursing faculty member to receive program-specific required information

Reciprocity statement: Bates Technical College Practical Nursing Program meets the requirements of the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission for Practical Nurse licensing in Washington state. Bates Technical College does not know if this program meets the requirements of other states for licensing purposes. Please contact the specific state Board of Nursing for their licensing requirements.

The Bates Technical College Practical Nursing program holds accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037.

The Bates Technical College Practical Nursing program is fully accredited by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

Bates Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process.

NLN Accreditation Information
  • National Median Salary$46,240
  • National Potential Annual Job Openings66,300

This information is base on data from April 2020. For updated information, visit careeronestop, a database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Tuition and Fees

At Bates, our tuition is affordable and there are options to help make it even easier to gain an education. Federal aid is available for many of our students. Scholarships are also available through the Bates Foundation.

See if you qualify for other funding through our special funding programs with the Workforce Education office.

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Note: Information is accurate as of its original posting date. The college reserves the right to edit, change, or update information as needed throughout the year. Up-to-date information is available in Student Services.

View the Program of Study

Associate of Applied Science
PRACTICAL NURSE
CIP:  51.3901EPC:  326 

Students prepare for careers as licensed practical nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. Clinical activities are an integral part of this program which is approved by the Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.  During the clinical phase, students demonstrate nursing competencies under supervision at clinical sites and improve skills by working with a healthcare professional in a preceptorship role.  Graduates are required to pass the Washington State Practical Nursing licensing exam to practice as licensed practical nurses in Washington State. Prior to licensing exam, applicant will need to provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent. 

Prerequisites:  Applicants must 

  1. Pass a clear National Criminal background check covering WA state. 
  2. Obtain medical and dental clearance. 
  3. Pass a drug screen. 
  4. Provide documentary evidence of current immunizations, medical insurance (illness and injury), and Health Care Provider CPR. 
  5. Possess current liability insurance coverage in the amount of $1 million. 
  6. AIDS/HIV Training – seven hours.

  1.  Assist in implementing the nursing process
  2. Use communication skills effectively in order to function as a member of the nursing team and apply beginning skills in verbal, non-verbal and written communication, recognizing and respecting cultural diversity and the spiritual beliefs of individual clients
  3. Provide care that is safe, compassionate and culturally and developmentally appropriate
  4. Assist in the health teaching of clients recognizing individual differences.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of own role in the health care delivery system
  6. Use communication skills effectively to function as a safe healthcare team member
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of a nurse’s personal role in the health care delivery system
  8. Recognize the need for change in the structured healthcare setting and demonstrate active participation in change

Bates instructors are industry experts who enjoy working with and teaching students.

Instructors

  • Julia Campbell, Assistant

    253.680.7316 | Email

Bates Technical College offers classes in multiple formats. Lectures are remote and labs are on campus with reduced size, using strict safety precautions. We aim to provide a complete educational experience while prioritizing the safety of all students and employees. Learn how we keep students and employees healthy and safe on our COVID-19 resource page.