The WSU College of Nursing is growing in the Tri-Cities—literally and academically. With the launch of expanded practice and simulation lab space on the Richland campus, nursing students now have greater access to hands-on training that mirrors real-world clinical environments.
“This new space strengthens our ability to train students in high-demand areas across the region,” said Christina Chacón, DNP, MSN, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Director for Nursing at WSU Tri-Cities. “It allows us to simulate everything from routine care to complex patient scenarios in a safe, supportive, high-tech environment.”
The updates to the facility bring undergraduate and graduate nursing education together under one roof. The simulation labs feature advanced patient manikins, telehealth training tools, and dedicated spaces for both individual skill-building and collaborative scenarios.
Importantly, the facility helps address the growing demand for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice providers in southeastern Washington. With enhanced lab space, students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program can prepare for clinical roles without having to leave the region.
The expansion also reflects the campus’s ongoing commitment to community health. By training future nurses in the Tri-Cities—many of whom remain in the region to work—WSU is directly contributing to the local health care workforce pipeline.
“This is about more than new equipment or extra square footage,” said Chacón. “It’s about giving our students the resources they need to become skilled, compassionate, and confident health care providers.”
