Walla Walla University has received approval from Washington State Board of Nursing to offer a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing program on its College Place campus, expanding access to nursing education and strengthening clinical training opportunities across both rural and urban healthcare settings.
The approval establishes a dual-campus model that allows students to complete upper-division nursing coursework at either the College Place campus or the Portland campus. Together, the two locations offer a wide range of clinical experiences designed to prepare graduates for the full scope of modern nursing practice.
Rather than following a single required pathway, students can now choose a clinical setting that aligns with their professional interests — whether serving in community-based healthcare environments or pursuing specialty experiences in large urban hospital systems.
“This approval allows us to be much more intentional about how we prepare nurses,” said Kari Firestone, WWU School of Nursing dean and professor. “Students don’t all have the same goals, and now our program better reflects that reality.”
The College Place campus focuses on community-centered clinical education while still offering experience across inpatient, outpatient and higher-acuity care environments. Students training in the Walla Walla Valley and surrounding communities gain hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings while building strong relationships with local healthcare teams.
“When students complete their clinical education in smaller communities, they build relationships and often choose to stay,” Firestone said. “That’s good for patients, healthcare partners and community health.”
The Portland campus continues to provide access to specialized clinical training within large, complex healthcare systems. Students interested in advanced acute care and specialty units benefit from exposure to diverse patient populations and high-acuity clinical environments.
Regardless of campus, all students complete the same BSN curriculum, clinical hours and licensure preparation. The program operates as a unified degree with shared faculty oversight and consistent expectations for professional readiness.
The first College Place upper-division BSN cohort is expected to begin during the 2026–2027 academic year.
