News

Taek Huh’s path to nursing wasn’t a straight line. After two attempts at an RN program, personal hardships nearly led him to leave WSU’s RN-BSN program just before graduation. A simple question from a faculty member—”Are you okay?”—changed everything. Today, Huh is preparing to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, carrying forward a lesson that transformed both his life and his nursing practice: empathy begins with understanding.

As wildfires affect communities across the Pacific Northwest, Washington State University researchers and Extension specialists are available to discuss topics ranging from property protection and animal evacuation to lightning-caused fire risk, power-grid resilience and postfire recovery.

Working from home is often seen as a good solution for new mothers, but a new Washington State University study reveals that the blurred boundaries between home and work can introduce barriers to sustained breastfeeding.

Washington State University College of Nursing is expanding its Rural Nursing Pathway through a new partnership with Arbor Health in Morton, WA. The collaboration will provide rural clinical learning experiences for nursing students while supporting workforce development in East Lewis County and surrounding communities.

James created a novel training program to combat inherent bias in decision-making by police officers, which hundreds of officers have taken at departments around the country. That program began in the research lab as James was working on her PhD; she had developed simulations to study officer responses, and potential biases, when making decisions in encounters involving the use of force and other situations.

For our last days in Zambia we traveled to Livingstone and explored the city. From hiking to relaxing by the pool we were sad to see our time come to an end, but grateful for the experiences and memories made here.

Our time at Kafakumba Clinic pushed us beyond the classroom and headfirst in to the realities of global health where each day brought us new challenges, lessons, and moments of self reflection. As we unwind in Livingstone, Zambia, it’s safe to say we’re taking the time to not only decompress but process an experience that has been both demanding and incredibly meaningful.

As their time at Kafakumba Training Center comes to an end, WSU nursing students are reflecting on the clinical experiences, community outreach, and cultural connections that have defined their time in Zambia. From helping at a rural village clinic to building friendships with local students, the experience has left a lasting impact.

WSU nursing students traveled to Kanyenda, a small village, and spent the day establishing and managing a clinic for locals who rarely have access to medical care. From checking vital signs to helping identify and treat illnesses like malaria, the experience provided a powerful view into the difficulties and resilience of rural Zambian life.

A day at Fisenge Village Clinic gave WSU nursing students a firsthand look at maternal and community health in Zambia. From witnessing their first childbirth to providing health education at a local school, students experienced the impact of nursing across both clinical and community settings.

WSU nursing students continued their Zambia study abroad experience with a day of clinical learning at Roan Antelope General Hospital and a visit to Baluba Village. From pediatric nursing rounds to learning Bemba phrases and exploring local markets, the day offered new perspectives on health care, culture, and community.

WSU College of Nursing students spent their first official clinical day in Zambia at Roan Antelope General Hospital in Luanshya, where they toured emergency, pediatric, NICU, maternity, and medical-surgical wards. The experience offered a powerful look at nursing, childbirth, resource limitations, and cultural practices in a Zambian hospital setting.

For many students, the day reshaped how they think about health care access, sanitation, patient privacy, transportation barriers, and the resources often taken for granted in American hospitals. After returning to Kafakumba, the group shared a traditional Zambian meal of nshima, cabbage, chicken, salt, and soup, adding another meaningful cultural experience to the day.

Nsobe Game Camp is a place we went to see different animals in captivity there, do activities such as a safari ride, watch the workers feed the animals, and much more. Lake Kashiba is a sinkhole where people can jump into from the rocky cliffs or small ledges into the warm water.

WSU College of Nursing students have arrived in Zambia and are beginning their international learning experience with cultural orientation, community engagement, and preparation for clinical rotations. After smooth travels and a full day of orientation, students are exploring the local community, learning about Zambian culture, and preparing for activities that include village visits, school health education, and clinical placements beginning June 8. Student-written reflections from the trip will begin appearing June 7.

A group of WSU College of Nursing students is preparing for a study abroad experience in Zambia, where they will explore global health care, cultural perspectives, and nursing practice in a new setting. Follow along as students share daily reflections, photos, and stories from the trip.

The Inland NW Nurse Educator Conference brought regional nursing leaders together at Gonzaga University for conversations about education, workforce challenges, technology, and clinical practice. WSU College of Nursing faculty, alumni, and collaborators helped lead sessions on AI in nursing education, healthy work environments, and workplace violence prevention.

Spring 2026 nursing graduates from WSU were honored across the state, marking their transition into practice through commencement and pinning ceremonies and stepping into roles that will shape patient care across the region.

WSU College of Nursing faculty are advancing research in health equity, pain management, and planetary health. Recent publications highlight work that connects policy, practice, and community impact.

Two sisters, one path. Kyra Nichols, BSN ’24, RN and Kylie Flemens, BSN ’24, RN are pursuing their Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees together while raising families and supporting each other through every step. From late-night study sessions to holding their children at the White Coat Ceremony, their journey reflects the flexibility, support, and real-world impact of WSU’s DNP program. Read how they’re building their future in health care—together.

A nursing legacy comes full circle in Yakima as Audra Podruzny prepares to graduate from the DNP program—following in the footsteps of her mother, one of the first nurse practitioner graduates from the same campus. Their shared journey reflects the impact of family, community, and a program that has shaped health care across Central Washington.