WWU Hires Sarah Bear as its New RN-to-BSN Program Director

Western Washington University has hired Sarah Bear as its new RN-to-BSN program director.

Bear comes to Western with over 30 years of nursing and education experience. She holds a doctorate in education and educational leadership from the University of Washington and has a master’s degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University.

Bear has worked in Skagit County as a nurse, as well as at Skagit Valley College as a nurse educator. She has held leadership roles at Seattle Pacific University and Western Washington University in each school’s nursing program.

Throughout her tenure as a leading educator of nursing in Washington state, Bear has held numerous leadership roles. 

Most recently, Bear has begun serving as president-elect for the Council on Nursing Education in Washington State, and she recently joined the Palliative Care Institute as a board member.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the RN-to-BSN students at Western Washington University and the surrounding community,” Bear said. “I look forward to getting to know you and learning about your connection to the nursing program. Thank you for your support of WWU RN-to-BSN nursing.”

Bear said what excites her the most about joining Western is the university’s focus on RN-to-BSN education and community partnerships.

“Strengthening and developing community relationships central to student growth that will in turn support regional needs will be an initial area of focus for me,” Bear said. “I love teaching, nursing, and relationship building and am excited to meet our students.”

Students are welcome to visit Bear at her office in Miller Hall, 416D.

Western’s RN-to-BSN program is a degree completion program for nursing professionals who have their RN licensure or are in their final year of a pre-licensure program.

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