At Washington State University College of Nursing, faculty practice is becoming a powerful tool for expanding access to care while enriching clinical education through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Advanced Practice programs. A key initiative in the College’s strategic plan is now delivering visible results across Washington.
Led by incoming DNP Director, Dr. Fionnuala Brown and the Faculty Practice & Community Outreach Committee, the College has completed a statewide gap analysis and identified high-need areas for faculty practice. Six WSU nursing faculty currently serve at the Spokane Colleges Student Health Clinic, and a school-based health center partnership with Spokane Public Schools is in progress (see page six for details about the Logan wellness center). Another major initiative is the development of tele-behavioral health services that will allow Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) faculty to serve patients statewide.
Faculty are now able to integrate clinical work into their academic roles, with compensation adjustments for their clinical full-time equivalent (FTE). This structure allows faculty to maintain teaching responsibilities while directly contributing to community health—a win for students, faculty, and the public.
Challenges remain. Financial constraints, missed grant opportunities, and lower reimbursement in underserved communities can limit sustainability. Some faculty also choose outside clinical work due to pay or location limitations. Still, ongoing partnerships with Range Health, Spokane Public Schools, and Spokane Colleges reflect growing momentum.
One proposed solution includes a blended Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role: three days per week in the Range Mobile Clinic and two days in teaching. Telehealth models, including those serving school-based health centers, are also being explored to increase reach and reduce overhead.
Dr. Fionnuala Brown highlighted how these initiatives are preparing advanced practice students for leadership in real-world care settings,
…our DNP students benefit immensely when faculty are practicing in the same communities where students train. It’s a model rooted in relevance and impact.
Dr. Fionnuala Brown, Incoming DNP Director, Clinical Assistant Professor
