Nursing Schools in Washington

If you're looking to live in a state that offers a variety of educational and recreational opportunities, consider attending one of the nursing schools in Washington. The field of nursing is growing faster than the average for all occupations and is expected to have excellent employment opportunities. Additionally, nursing salaries in Washington are higher than the national average. Best of all, formal nursing training typically take s only between one and four years.

Career Possibilities After Washington Nursing Schools

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) must be licensed in Washington, and nursing assistants must be registered or certified. Below is basic information about nursing careers in Washington State. All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is from 2009.

• Registered nurses typically need a two-year associate's degree, a four-year bachelor's degree, or a two- to three-year diploma through a hospital nurse training program. Registered nurses must pass the NCLEX to be licensed. There are 54,260 registered nurses in Washington earning a mean annual salary of $72,450. According to the Washington Department of Labor, jobs for registered nurses in Washington should grow by more than 30 percent from 2008 to 2018--a pace that exceeds the national growth rate of 22 percent for RNs.
• Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses typically need about a year of formal training, and they must pass a test to receive licensure. There are about 9,710 licensed practical and vocational nurses in Washington earning a mean annual salary of $44,400. The Washington Department of Labor reports LPNs should see 20.4 percent job growth from 2008 to 2018.
• Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants typically receive on-the-job training. There are 21,670 nursing aides in Washington earning a mean salary of $27,220. Job growth is expected to exceed 21 percent from 2008 to 2018, the Washington Department of Labor reports.

If you're interested in a career you can train for in one to four years, and you're interested in making a difference, make sure to consider Washington nursing schools.