Building Healthier Communities One Nurse at a Time
On December 6, 2024, the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing held its Fall Convocation at Whitworth University’s Cowles Auditorium in Spokane, Washington. This traditional pinning ceremony honored the achievements of 65 pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates from the Spokane campus and celebrated the academic accomplishments of three PhD graduates.
Convocation serves as a significant milestone for nursing students, marking their transition into the professional nursing community. During the ceremony, nursing faculty bestowed pins upon the BSN graduates, symbolizing their readiness to enter the nursing profession. PhD students were also recognized and hooded, highlighting their advanced scholarly achievements.
The WSU College of Nursing’s pre-licensure BSN program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful nursing career. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in nursing theory and practice, preparing graduates to meet the diverse healthcare needs of their communities.
The Fall 2024 cohort of WSU College of Nursing graduates reflects a diverse range of career aspirations and specialties, showcasing the impact these new nurses will have across various health care settings.
Here’s a breakdown based on the career plans submitted by the graduates:
Career Settings
- Emergency Nursing: 20% are pursuing careers in emergency departments or critical care emergency medicine.
- Pediatric and Neonatal Nursing: 17% are starting careers in pediatric or neonatal units, including positions at prestigious institutions like Seattle Children’s Hospital.
- Labor and Delivery/Obstetrics: 14% plan to work in labor and delivery or obstetric nursing, with many aiming for future certification as nurse midwives.
- Critical Care Nursing: 13% are entering critical care units, including ICUs and Cardiovascular ICUs.
- Oncology Nursing: 9% are pursuing oncology nursing roles, often paired with long-term aspirations for specialized certifications or advanced practice.
- Perioperative/Surgical Nursing: 8% have chosen surgical or perioperative nursing.
- Cardiac Care: 6% are focusing on cardiac care nursing.
- Community Health and Education: 5% are committed to roles in community health, public health, or academia.
- Other Specialties: Remaining graduates are pursuing careers in addiction medicine, wound care, correctional nursing, medical-surgical nursing, or resource pool positions.
Geographic Plans
- Washington State: Most graduates (65%) plan to work within Washington, with notable hubs in Spokane, Seattle, and the Tri-Cities region.
- Out-of-State Relocations: 15% of graduates are relocating to areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, and New Hampshire.
- Global Aspirations: Several graduates express interest in international or medical mission work.
Advanced Career Aspirations
- Over one-third (35%) of graduates plan to advance their education through certifications or advanced degrees, such as becoming Nurse Practitioners (DNP or CRNA programs) or specializing further within their chosen fields.
Top Employers
- Sacred Heart Medical Center: Employing multiple graduates in departments such as pediatrics, critical care, and medical cardiac units.
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center: Employing at least 6 graduates in diverse roles including oncology, cardiac care, and labor and delivery.
Workplace Settings
- Hospitals: 85% of graduates are starting their careers in hospitals, with roles spanning acute care, specialty units, and critical access hospitals.
- Community and Public Health: 8% are entering roles emphasizing community health or public health advocacy.
- Educational Institutions: 2% of graduates are pursuing faculty roles in nursing education.
- US Military: one student commissioning to the United States Army Nurse Corps.
The Fall 2024 graduates of the WSU College of Nursing exemplify the program’s mission to prepare compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled professionals ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Go Cougs!
The Fall 2024 Convocation was live-streamed on YouTube, watch the recording.
