WSU College of Nursing will honor Spring 2026 graduates with ceremonies across Yakima, Tri-Cities, Spokane, and Vancouver this May. Each event marks the transition from student to professional nurse.
The Premed Advisory Program’s 3rd Biannual Conference is dedicated to strengthening the future healthcare workforce by expanding access, mentorship, and opportunity across the pre-health pathway. By connecting aspiring healthcare leaders with physicians, researchers, […]
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With three young children at home and a full-time job, Kim Hoover wasn’t sure she could manage nursing school again. “Failure wasn’t necessarily an option,” she said. Through WSU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program and a clear semester-by-semester roadmap from her advisor, Hoover earned her BSN and gained the confidence to bring stronger evidence-based practice to the bedside at Legacy Health.
After 100 days as interim dean, Dr. Anne Mason reflects on coming home to WSU, celebrating more than 13,700 Coug Nurses serving communities nationwide. She highlights new programs, research growth, student success, and the partners and donors who make this work possible. The focus ahead stays clear. Educate nurses. Strengthen communities. Serve Washington and beyond.
WSU College of Nursing marks Rural Health Day by highlighting initiatives that strengthen care in rural Washington. Efforts include pain care research, maternal health partnerships, and new pathways that prepare students to work in rural communities.
From migrant farmworker roots in Mesa, WA, to a full-ride nursing student and statewide youth leader, Jorge Gaytan Garcia is breaking barriers and paving new paths for his community. His journey honors his family’s sacrifices and inspires others to chase education and equity in health care.
Washington State University’s undergraduate nursing program has climbed into a top 50 ranking nationwide for the first time, tying at No. 40 in the U.S. News & World Report’s newly released Best Colleges 2026 edition. The recognition highlights WSU’s role as a leader in preparing nurses to address shortages of health care providers across the state and country.
An interactive website with evidence-based resources known as the Relief Pain Hub is now available to help people learn more about managing pain.
Dr. Lois James, nationally recognized expert in bias, sleep, and performance, is teaching a grant writing course this fall open to all WSU graduate students. With over $6 million in funded research, James offers hands-on strategies for writing competitive proposals—an invaluable skill for students across disciplines.
There’s often confusion around advanced nursing roles because of overlapping acronyms and scopes. Below, we’ve defined DNP, ARNP, and APRN, and highlighted their differences and similarities in terms of education, […]
Supporting 3 school districts, Sarah Cortez is using her 12+ years of nursing experience to advocate for students and families. “We help students access care and start health conversations that might not happen otherwise,” says Sarah Cortez.
“I love being a safe haven for my students. They trust me in a way that doesn’t happen in a hospital,” says school nurse Sarah Beck. Read how she’s building community care through connection.
WSU Tri-Cities has welcomed the first cohort of high school CNA students from Tri-Tech Skills Center into its new Nursing Bridge program, offering a streamlined path to a BSN with paid hospital experience and direct admission to the College of Nursing.
“Not just here for Band-Aids and ice packs,” says school nurse Diana Torres Ochoa. “We’re the voice for students.”
“You kind of get thrown into school nursing, but WSU’s certification course helped break things down,” says Nikki Bettis. Learn why she finds this role so meaningful—and why she recommends the training to anyone considering it.
WSU received state funding to launch a rural nursing program focused on maternal care. The initiative will train students in northeast and southeast Washington while they remain in their local communities.
At the WSU College of Nursing’s Spring 2025 Commencement, student speaker Maxwell Pearl ’25 delivered a message that felt especially poignant on International Nurses Day. Echoing the legacy of Florence Nightingale—the “lady of the lamp”—Maxwell reminded his fellow graduates that their inner flame, their reason for becoming nurses, is their greatest strength. “Protect it. Shield it,” he said. “Even when the how becomes too hard to bear… if that flame is still alive, there is nothing that can break you.” His words serve as a modern reflection of Nightingale’s enduring light: a symbol of care, purpose, and resilience in the face of hardship.
WSU College of Nursing’s redesigned Master of Nursing program offers a one-year, hybrid path to careers in healthcare leadership or education. Apply by TBD for consideration.
