School of Nursing

Learn skills at the forefront of healthcare

A career in nursing offers the opportunity to combine scientific knowledge with caring. Nursing is a career that is personally fulfilling, financially rewarding, and at the heart of healthcare. Nurses make up the largest healthcare profession nationwide, with the need for nurses continuing to grow. A dynamic and challenging profession with flexible schedules and diverse practice options, nursing offers a meaningful career with the opportunity to promote and improve health for individuals, communities, and populations. 


Quick Facts

94.9%

NCLEX pass rate for 2023.

More than 94%

WWU nursing students who have jobs within 12 months after graduation.

900

The minimum number of hours students participate in both inpatient and outpatient clinicals. These include learning the healthcare system in both rural and urban settings.


College Experience

What will your college experience look like as a nursing major?

Nursing students participate in WWU’s vibrant campus life, including events organized by ASWWU, ASWWU Portland, and the nursing club. Events like Bread Night—a weekly meal hosted in collaboration with local churches—nurture community and belonging.

WWU’s nursing program introduces students to holistic care and emphasizes personal wellness. Classes are held on two campuses, both of which feature modernized labs that allow students to practice their skills and build confidence in realistic simulations. WWU’s cutting edge curriculum focuses on competency-based learning which emphasizes being practice-ready upon graduation.

Learn more about what the college experience looks like for our nursing students.

Career Path

What can your career path as a nursing major look like?

To practice as a nurse, it is necessary to pass the NCLEX licensure exam. There are several paths to a nursing career, however, it is becoming more common for hospitals and other employers to require a bachelor’s degree. In Washington, nurses earn $96,980 annually on average. Nurses can work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Specialties can be as varied as anesthetists, nurse administration, education, or medical consulting on legal cases. Nurses consistently list high job satisfaction, even in recent years. 


Dean's Message

We are excited that you have chosen or are considering nursing as your profession. The unique opportunities that a nursing degree offers are endless and can provide a lifetime of fulfillment. Caring for those who are vulnerable requires compassion and the learning process can be challenging, but we are here to support you during your education and beyond. Choosing a nursing school is an important first step in your career; here are reasons to look at Walla Walla University School of Nursing.  

  • First, we have a long history of high NCLEX pass rates, that begins with integrating NCLEX preparation from the beginning of your nursing education.  Using competency-based curricula, we focus on preparing you to enter the nursing profession with confidence.  
  • Second, our faculty and staff are dedicated to your success. We provide a safe and nurturing learning environment where students are encouraged to share their opinions and beliefs. Faculty model and encourage students to take care of themselves first, physically and mentally, so that they can learn to provide wholistic care to those around them.  
  • Lastly, we provide the opportunity to participate in over 900 clinical hours.  This provides students with clinical experiences in a variety of learning environments, caring for patients across the lifespan and in both rural and urban settings.

We are committed to creating a vision of nursing that is inclusive and equitable, and to prepare nurses to excel in the ever-changing health care environment. 

We look forward to working with you.  Please feel free to reach out to our advisors on the College Place campus (nursing@wallawalla.edu) or the Portland Campus (portland.advising@wallawalla.edu) for more information. 

Sincerely,

Michaelynn Paul, R.N., D.N.P.
Dean of the School of Nursing


News & Updates

Further nursing grant
January 22, 2024

Further nursing grant

WWU receives $105,231 to update Portland simulation lab

Graduation weekend 2023
June 06, 2023

Graduation weekend 2023

Doug Tilstra, vice president of student life, to give commencement address

Nursing education grant
December 14, 2022

Nursing education grant

School of Nursing awarded $100,000 to accelerate competency-based education

Nursing lab grant
November 07, 2022

Nursing lab grant

WWU receives $285,000 to improve nursing simulation lab

Support for Portland students
April 21, 2022

Support for Portland students

New funds added to endowed nursing scholarship