Green River College Nursing Programs: LPN & LPN-to-BSN (2026)
Auburn’s Green River College runs a selective Practical Nursing (LPN) program and an LPN-to-BSN completion track—there is no generic pre-licensure BSN for non-LPNs. Below: official Washington State Board of Nursing NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN pass rates, published tuition ranges, and application cycles from the college.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Green River stacks an NCLEX-PN Practical Nursing program with a hybrid LPN-to-BSN track accredited by NLN CNEA (per the college)—a deliberate pathway from LPN licensure toward RN/BSN for students who want to stay in South King County while progressing their credential.
Overview & Why Students Choose Green River College
Green River College is a public community college in Auburn, Washington, serving the South Puget Sound region with career-focused health programs. Its nursing offerings are intentionally split: a Practical Nursing program for students seeking LPN licensure (NCLEX-PN), and a bachelor’s completion program for LPNs moving toward RN licensure (NCLEX-RN)—not a traditional pre-licensure BSN for students without an LPN license.
Both pathways use selective, holistic admissions with published prerequisite GPA floors and multiple application windows per year. The college highlights simulation labs, I-BEST support in the LPN program, and hybrid scheduling for the LPN-to-BSN track.
First-time NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN pass rates cited below come from the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) February 2026 pass-rate PDF. Confirm the latest cohort rows with WABON and Green River before making decisions.
Reasons students choose Green River College
Two-step LPN → RN pathway
Students can earn LPN licensure, gain experience, then return for the hybrid LPN-to-BSN program the college markets to working nurses.
Documented NCLEX outcomes
WABON publishes school-level first-time pass rates; Green River’s 2025 PN cohort was 57/66 (86.36%) and LPN-to-BSN RN was 28/30 (93.33%) per that report.
Simulation & I-BEST support
The LPN program describes a multi-bed SIM suite with high-fidelity manikins and optional I-BEST co-instruction for academic support.
South King County access
Clinical placements are described within roughly 50–70 miles of campus, keeping rotations in reach of Auburn, Kent, and nearby communities.
Nursing Programs Offered
Green River College currently lists two nursing pathways on its official nursing pages: pre-licensure Practical Nursing and post-licensure LPN-to-BSN. The college does not list an ADN or a generic four-year BSN for non-LPN students.
Practical Nursing (AAS)
Approximately 90 credits with full-time (three quarters) and part-time hybrid weekday or weekend options. Graduates take NCLEX-PN. Green River publishes cohort sizes (for example up to 40 full-time seats) and application windows for each track.
LPN to BSN
Requires an active Washington PN license and prerequisite completion. Full-time (about eight quarters) and part-time tracks are hybrid; the college states NLN CNEA accreditation for this program. NCLEX-RN applies after completion.
If you are not already an LPN, the BSN option at Green River is not available—plan for the Practical Nursing program first or another school’s pre-licensure RN program.
NCLEX Pass Rates (PN & LPN-to-BSN)
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) NCLEX School Reports (PDF dated February 2026), first-time pass rates for Green River College are reported separately for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) and for the LPN-to-BSN program (NCLEX-RN).
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing): For calendar year 2025, the report lists 57/66 = 86.36% first-time passers. Prior years in the same table include 2024: 61/66 = 92.42%; 2023: 55/58 = 94.83%.
NCLEX-RN (LPN-to-BSN): For 2025, 28/30 = 93.33%. For 2024, 15/15 = 100% (earlier years show N/A where the program had not yet reported cohorts).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (2025) | 86.36% (57 passed / 66 tested) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate — LPN-to-BSN (2025) | 93.33% (28 passed / 30 tested) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate — LPN-to-BSN (2024) | 100% (15 passed / 15 tested) |
| Source | Washington State Board of Nursing — Nursing program NCLEX pass rates (PDF, Feb 2026). For the latest file, see WABON program pass rates. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Washington State Board of Nursing and Green River College.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Green River College states that beginning April 15, 2026, LPN and BSN applicants who completed prerequisites outside Washington’s community and technical college system must have an official transcript evaluation on file before applying. International students and foreign-educated nurses should treat the following as a checklist only—this is not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS or other requirements with Green River’s admissions or international office for your visa type.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow the college’s transcript evaluation process; clinical nursing programs often require course-by-course review for prerequisites.
- Washington State Board of Nursing: For RN or PN licensure by exam or endorsement, confirm eligibility, CGFNS, and documentation with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Hybrid and clinical programs may have restrictions for F-1 students; verify with the international programs office and the nursing department.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Green River College and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Both nursing programs use holistic admissions. Green River publishes minimum prerequisite grades (2.5 per course, 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA) and notes that competitive LPN applicants often have prerequisite GPAs between about 3.2 and 4.0. The LPN-to-BSN page cites roughly 45% acceptance for the full-time BSN cohort as an example of selectivity; LPN pages cite approximate admission rates near 30% (full-time) and 25% (part-time hybrid)—confirm current figures with the program.
Application timeline
| Program / track | Application window | Start |
|---|---|---|
| LPN full-time | April 15 – June 1 (4 p.m.) | Fall quarter |
| LPN part-time hybrid weekday | December 1 – January 15 (4 p.m.) | Spring quarter |
| LPN part-time hybrid weekend | September 15 – November 1 (4 p.m.) | Winter quarter |
| LPN-to-BSN full-time | February 1 – April 1 (4 p.m.) | Fall quarter |
| LPN-to-BSN part-time | July 15 – September 15 (4 p.m.) | Winter quarter (2026 start per college overview) |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (selective) | Not publicly disclosed as a single rate; Green River publishes pathway-specific ranges (for example ~30% LPN full-time; ~45% LPN-to-BSN full-time per site copy—confirm). |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA | 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA; 2.5 minimum per course (per published requirements). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed as required on the Green River LPN/BSN admissions pages reviewed; confirm for your cohort. |
| Other requirements | AHA BLS, immunizations (including COVID policy per application materials), background check and possible drug screening, WA PN license for BSN. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Green River College publishes approximate program totals on its nursing cost pages; actual tuition depends on residency, credit load, and fees. Use the official tuition schedule for exact per-credit amounts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Practical Nursing (tuition & fees, approximate) | Full-time ~$9,500; part-time hybrid ~$10,500 (per Green River Practical Nursing costs page). |
| LPN-to-BSN (tuition & fees, approximate) | Full-time ~$23,000; part-time ~$27,000–$30,000 depending on track (per BSN cost page and program overview). |
| Books & supplies (typical) | Books often ~$1,000–$1,500; uniforms and supplies listed separately on the nursing cost pages. |
| Source | Green River College Tuition & Fees; Practical Nursing costs; BSN cost and requirements. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Washington’s nursing workforce continues to see strong demand in the Puget Sound region. Green River’s Practical Nursing mission document sets internal benchmarks (for example goals for NCLEX-PN pass, graduation, and employment)—treat those as program goals, not guarantees.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN (first-time, 2025) | 86.36% per WABON school report (57/66). |
| NCLEX-RN — LPN-to-BSN (first-time, 2025) | 93.33% per WABON (28/30). |
| Employment / placement | Not publicly disclosed on this page; see Green River outcomes or workforce reports for current figures. |
Is Green River College the Right Fit for You?
Green River fits a specific progression—LPN licensure first, then optional LPN-to-BSN—rather than a single-entry RN track.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an LPN credential and prefer a hybrid LPN-to-BSN track later in the same institution.
- Can meet prerequisite GPA and immunization requirements and rotate through South Puget Sound clinical sites.
- Value I-BEST support in the LPN program or a weekend hybrid LPN path.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a direct-entry ADN or generic BSN without first becoming an LPN.
- Cannot travel to campus for hybrid in-person days or weekend clinical blocks.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Green River College sits in Auburn, between Seattle and Tacoma, with access to large hospital systems, community hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient networks throughout King and Pierce counties. The college states that clinical placements may occur within roughly 50–70 miles of campus depending on pathway; specific facility lists change by cohort.
| Setting | Examples |
|---|---|
| Regional acute care | Students in the Puget Sound corridor commonly train with major systems such as MultiCare, UW Medicine, Providence St. Joseph Health, and CHI Franciscan (names for context—confirm actual affiliates with the program). |
| Community & long-term care | Skilled nursing, assisted living, and community clinics throughout South King County and nearby areas. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Green River College emphasizes hands-on simulation with multiple high-fidelity manikins (adult, pediatric, obstetric, neonatal) and debrief spaces. The nursing program promotes open houses and workshops for application help, technology literacy, and job preparation. Student housing and broader campus services are available through the college’s main campus resources.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Auburn, WA
- Address
- 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092, US
- Telephone
- (253) 833-9111
- Nursing & Healthcare Studies
- NHS@greenriver.edu
- Website
- greenriver.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the Practical Nursing and LPN-to-BSN pages and note the application window for your pathway.
- Compare your transcripts to the published prerequisite lists for LPN or BSN; order transcripts early if you need evaluation.
- Review the WABON NCLEX pass-rate PDF for the latest Green River rows.
- Schedule American Heart Association BLS if you do not yet hold certification.
- Email NHS@greenriver.edu with pathway-specific questions.
- Attend an open house or workshop on the nursing events page when available.
- Build a calendar reminder for your deadline (4 p.m. Pacific on the published close dates).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Green River College offer a traditional BSN without an LPN license?
No. The bachelor’s nursing program at Green River is an LPN-to-BSN completion track for licensed practical nurses. Pre-licensure students should consider the Practical Nursing program or another institution’s ADN/BSN pathway.
What are the most recent NCLEX pass rates for Green River College?
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing February 2026 pass-rate PDF, Green River’s Practical Nursing program had a 2025 first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate of 86.36% (57/66). The LPN-to-BSN program row shows 93.33% (28/30) in 2025 and 100% (15/15) in 2024 for first-time NCLEX-RN test takers. Confirm the latest cohort data with WABON.
How much does the Green River College LPN program cost?
The college publishes approximate tuition and fees of about $9,500 for the full-time LPN track and about $10,500 for part-time hybrid programs, plus books and supplies. See the Practical Nursing costs page for line-item details.
What GPA is required for Green River nursing prerequisites?
Green River requires a minimum 2.5 in each prerequisite course and a 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA for both LPN and LPN-to-BSN applicants, with competitive applicants often higher. Only one prerequisite may be in progress at application for most pathways.
Is the TEAS required for Green River College nursing?
Green River’s published admissions materials emphasize holistic review and prerequisites but do not list TEAS as a requirement in the sections reviewed. Confirm whether any entrance exam applies to your application cycle.
When is the next LPN application due at Green River College?
Full-time LPN applications typically run April 15 through June 1 for a fall start; part-time tracks have different windows (for example December–January for spring hybrid weekday). Always verify the “next cycle” banner on the Practical Nursing application page.
What accreditation does Green River’s LPN-to-BSN program hold?
Green River College states the LPN-to-BSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). Confirm specialized accreditation for the Practical Nursing program directly with the college.
Where will I complete clinicals as a Green River nursing student?
The college describes clinical experiences across hospitals, long-term care, and community settings, generally within a 50–70 mile radius depending on program. Exact sites vary by placement availability.
What should internationally educated nurses know about Green River?
Follow the college’s transcript evaluation process; licensure and NCLEX eligibility for internationally educated nurses are governed separately by the Washington State Board of Nursing. Confirm F-1 eligibility for hybrid clinical programs with the international office.
References
- Green River College — Practical Nursinggreenriver.edu/…/practical-nursing
- Green River College — LPN to BSNgreenriver.edu/…/bsn
- Washington State Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (PDF)NCLEX-pass-rates.pdf (Feb 2026)
- Washington State Board of Nursing — program pass rates pagenursing.wa.gov program pass rates
- Green River College — Tuition & FeesTuition & Fees
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with Washington State Board of Nursing pass-rate publications and Green River College nursing program pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy