Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Clinical Placement Location Requirements
Washington State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program coordinates and secures direct-care clinical placements only within the states of Washington, north Idaho, northern and Oregon.
While WSU participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), which permits eligible students from participating states to receive reduced tuition, clinical placement availability is independent of WRGP participation. At this time, WSU holds nursing board authorization to place students for clinical experiences only in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.
In addition:
- WSU nursing campuses are located in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver, with the majority of clinical placements concentrated in:
- Eastern Washington (Spokane region)
- Tri-Cities (Kennewick/Pasco/Richland)
- Southwest Washington (Vancouver/Portland area)
- The greater Seattle area
- Rural settings across Washington State
- Placement outside of these regions is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed.
- Students should expect to complete clinical experiences within these established catchment areas where WSU has an existing clinical training agreement (CTA).
Students who reside outside of Washington, north Idaho, or northern Oregon—or outside the primary placement regions—should be aware that clinical placements are only available in those regions.
Choose the DNP track that fits your goals
Family Nurse Practitioner
Prepare for a career in primary care. Family Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate treatments. In many states, including Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, FNPs may operate an independent practice.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Prepare to assess, diagnose, and treat people with psychiatric and mental health disorders or the potential for those disorders. PMHNPs provide psychiatric and mental health services using a full scope of therapies.
Post-Master’s General
Take an existing nursing specialty to the doctoral level. This track is for nurses who have already earned a master’s degree and want to strengthen their skills in evidence-based practice, leadership, research utilization, and health care improvement.
Hear from WSU DNP students
As a health care provider, I recognize that I am responsible for the health of individuals and the community. Pursuing my DNP FNP is helping me become more efficacious in that mandate. I love the intellectual and emotional growth I am gaining and look forward to more skillfully contributing to individual and community health.
Natasha T., DNP Student
Earning my Nursing degree from WSU means accomplishing my goal and also pursuing the dream of having my daughter see me graduate as a doctor.
Paisha A., DNP Student
I am currently a DNP student at WSU’s College of Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner track. I will use my degree to serve rural and underserved populations and to expand access to health care in our community.
Courtney P., DNP Student
Graduate Program Advisors
The Washington State University College of Nursing BSN, MN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K. Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.