Further nursing grant

WWU receives $105,231 to update Portland simulation lab

THE SCHOOL OF NURSING has received a $105,231 grant from the Washington Student Achievement Council to upgrade nursing simulation labs on the Portland campus. This is the third significant grant awarded to the School of Nursing in the past year, continuing to support high-level nursing education at WWU.

This grant will provide funds to modernize nursing simulation labs on the university’s Portland campus. Simulators provide a solidly realistic, safe environment for nursing students to practice their skills, building confidence for clinical rotations and allowing students to learn in ways they may not be able to in clinicals. Similar simulation labs on the College Place campus were revamped this fall and have helped students master skills more efficiently. The funds will also support the completion of an electronic medication delivery system to be available on both campuses.

This continued investment in excellent equipment is only a part of the School of Nursing’s ongoing success. WWU was ranked as the second-best school in Washington for a bachelor’s degree in nursing this year by RNCareers, in part due to the nursing programs high NCLEX pass rate. Ninety-five percent of WWU nursing graduates in 2023 passed the NCLEX on their first try. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is taken by all nursing students after graduation, and all must pass the NCLEX before becoming registered nurses.

Michaelynn Paul, dean and professor of nursing, said, “Our robust simulation labs with brand new equipment enhance the 900 hours of clinical hours we provide to students. 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’re grateful to the Washington Student Achievement Council for supporting our work with this grant.”

Learn more about our exceptional nursing program at wallawalla.edu/nursing.