Western’s RN-to-BSN Program to Offer Courses at Skagit Valley College

Accepting Applications for First Cohort; Classes to Begin Spring 2016

In partnership with Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education will expand its RN-to-BSN program to Mount Vernon with a new cohort of nursing students in spring of 2016.

The nationally-accredited degree completion program, which began on Western’s Bellingham campus in 2013, is designed for students completing their registered nurse (RN) studies at Skagit Valley College or community colleges in neighboring counties. The program also serves registered nurses currently employed in island and rural communities wishing to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

“We are very excited to be partnering with WWU and offering the RN-to-BSN program curriculum on Skagit Valley College’s Mount Vernon Campus, which will provide new and experienced nurses throughout Skagit and Island counties with easier access to higher education,” said Karen Wanek, Skagit Valley College’s associate dean of nursing. “The RN-to-BSN students will serve as role models to our pre-licensure registered nursing students by encouraging their success and commitment to life-long learning.”

Students seeking Western’s BSN degree on Skagit Valley College’s Mount Vernon Campus may choose to attend full- or part-time courses to complete their degree in four or eight quarters, respectively.

Coursework includes projects with healthcare partners in the community and in-depth study of nursing leadership, social justice, health policy, organizational change and more.
Students are encouraged to apply by the Jan. 15, 2016 priority application deadline and to apply for financial aid, which includes filling out the FAFSA application.

Expansion of the program to Skagit County is currently pending Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) site approval.

According to the Washington Center for Nursing (WCN), the state of Washington is experiencing a severe shortage of nurses and increasing demand for nursing professionals prepared to meet 21st century healthcare needs. In 2008, the WCN proposed that increasing geographic access to baccalaureate education and expanding systems to increase diversity are needed as the requirement for baccalaureate-holding nurses expands.

 “By expanding Western’s RN-to-BSN program to the Skagit Valley, we hope to aid in meeting the need for a nursing workforce prepared with the necessary skills for addressing issues of quality and safety and social justice in the delivery of nursing care. As healthcare delivery rapidly shifts from hospital-based to population-based care, the additional knowledge gained with a baccalaureate degree prepares nurses to lead this change,” said Casey Shillam, Western’s RN-to-BSN academic program director.

To learn more about Western’s RN-to-BSN program, please visit wwu.edu/bsn, email info.bsn@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-6700.