Updated 04.28.26
What academic support services are available for nursing students on the WSU Tri-Cities campus?
Helping you reach your academic goals is our top priority. We encourage all nursing students to take advantage of the many academic resources available on the WSU Tri-Cities campus including accommodations for testing, and career and professional development. From the Bechtel Tutoring Center, the Writing Center, the Max E. Benitz Memorial Library, and dedicated research spaces – we invite you to explore the plentiful support services available.
How will Yakima students become familiar with their new campus?
We are excited to invite all Yakima students transitioning to the Tri-Cities campus to a special open house at the WSU Tri-Cities College of Nursing on Monday, April 27.
The program will begin on the Main Campus and continue at the College of Nursing Building later in the evening. An optional guided tour will begin at 4:15pm with the open house starting at 5:00pm. Students will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, and fellow students; get to know the Tri-Cities nursing community; learn about available resources and support services; and explore the new learning environment. If you selected Tri-Cities as your campus of choice and you have not yet received an email invitation with additional details, please contact ug.nursing@wsu.edu.
Are there resources available to assist with transition related expenses?
We encourage any student who anticipates additional financial strain related to the transition to connect directly with Melissa Carolus at melissa.carolus@wsu.edu to schedule a one-on-one conversation. These consultations are intended to help us better understand each student’s individual situation and explore the options and resources that may be available to help.
Where will clinical experiences occur going forward?
We are working with both the Yakima and Tri-Cities communities on clinical placement opportunities for next year. Some of these meetings occur in late spring and information will be shared through the summer. Students who transition to Spokane will be incorporated into the Spokane clinical schedule with facilities around the community.
When will students know what their fall 2026 schedules will be?
Program leaders are reviewing the fall schedule to streamline course, lab, and simulation scheduling as much as possible to reduce travel if we can. Our goal is to provide students with as much time as possible to prepare for the fall semester on their new campus. We will send out information to review the schedule as soon as it is updated.
How many Yakima students will be transitioned to other campuses?
There are currently 46 WSU nursing students in Yakima, 17 are on track to graduate this spring and 29 will be transitioned to either WSU Tri-Cities or WSU Spokane for degree completion (this includes one student in the Rural Nursing Pathway Program).
Can the decision be reversed?
No, due to significant budget reductions it is no longer fiscally sustainable to maintain classroom instruction, simulation activities, or skill practice labs in Yakima. WSU has informed PNWU that the lease agreement will be discontinued.
Will tuition be the same?
Yes, tuition is assessed annually, and any change is approved by the Board of Regents and communicated through the University. All nursing tuition is the same on every campus. Campus-based fees vary slightly.
Are Yakima nursing students being asked to relocate?
No, WSU is working to ensure that required travel is as minimal as possible.
What is WSU College of Nursing doing to make the transition as seamless as possible?
WSU College of Nursing leaders are working across the University system to actively reduce the impact on Yakima students; this includes reviewing course and clinical scheduling to minimize required travel (e.g. faculty are exploring ways to align simulation and skills labs with didactic coursework on the same day to reduce commute time). Faculty and clinical site availability in the Yakima community is also currently being assessed to preserve as many local learning opportunities as possible.
Why was this decision made?
WSU made the difficult decision to transition Yakima-based nursing enrollment to our Spokane and Tri-Cities campuses due to ongoing budget and staffing constraints. After three years of significant budget reductions, coupled with looming reductions that would create an additional $18.1M institutional shortfall, our options to remain fiscally responsible are extremely limited. There is also a persistent shortage of nurse educators which continues to impact our ability to staff programs despite strong demand for nurses.
When was this decision made?
When the Governor released the proposed budget, WSU was made aware that further cuts were expected. Recognizing the shortage of nurses, it was decided at the end of January that transitioning Yakima students to other campuses for degree completion was the option that would impact enrollment the least.
Why was Yakima impacted, rather than another WSU nursing campus?
This location included a lease agreement with PNWU, whereas nursing at other locations is part of a larger campus system. Additionally, full campus-based resources are not available at PNWU like financial aid, student health, and writing centers.
What is happening with the faculty and staff who are currently based in Yakima?
A plan for Yakima faculty and staff is currently being developed – right now individual discussions are occurring about their employment and opportunities at our other locations.
How will this impact the Yakima community?
WSU is not withdrawing from the region and will continue partnering with Yakima-area healthcare organizations to provide clinical rotations and support the local workforce pipeline. We recognize how important nursing education is for rural communities and WSU’s dedication to educating nurses who will serve communities like Yakima remains unwavering.
What is being shared with the media?
Inquirers are directed to WSU’s Insider article (published February 6) and provided with this approved statement:
“WSU decided to transition Yakima-based nursing enrollment to our Spokane and Tri-Cities campuses due to ongoing budget and staffing constraints. After three years of significant budget reductions to universities statewide, and with looming reductions that would create an additional $18.1 million institutional shortfall, our options to remain fiscally responsible are extremely limited. Additionally, there is a persistent shortage of nurse educators, which continues to impact our ability to staff programs despite strong demand for nurses.
WSU is not changing its commitment to the Yakima Valley. We are not reducing nursing enrollment, and we are not withdrawing from the region. We will continue partnering with Yakima-area healthcare organizations to provide clinical rotations and support the local workforce pipeline. We recognize how important nursing education is for rural communities and WSU’s dedication to educating nurses who will serve communities like Yakima remains unwavering.”
Please direct all media inquiries to: gina.raebel@wsu.edu.
