Washington Adventist University Achieves Historic Milestone

Written by: Simonique Dietz

Founded over a century ago, in 1904, Washington Adventist University (WAU) had the distinction of establishing the first baccalaureate nursing school in the state of Maryland. Now, for the first time in the program’s history – not only is the pre-licensure course of study fully accredited for a maximum of ten years – but, also its graduate programs of nursing. These programs are fully accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education through 2031, says Dr. Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, Provost of Washington Adventist University. Dr. Kisunzu acknowledges that this historic achievement occurred through the leadership of the program’s director, Dr. Tijuana Griffin. Of additional significance is that this achievement occurred during the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic during which the nursing shortage worsened from both the national and global perspectives.

In a 2020 Columbia Union Conference article “Washington Adventist University and Adventist HealthCare Renew Ongoing Partnership,” Adventist HealthCare President, Terry Forde, noted that “we hire over 2000 nurses in our system. Therefore, to partner with our denomination’s local university is significant for us as we respond to our nursing and human resource needs.” An example of the Adventist HealthCare legacy commitment to distinctive excellence in patient care delivery through distinctive excellence in nursing education is its support of the WAU Nursing Program’s inaugural endowed chair. Furthermore, Adventist Health Care continues to provide financial incentives through loan assistance to newly hired graduates upon successful completion of their NCLEX-RN licensing exam and as defined by their terms of employment.

In accordance with USA Today, August 2022 article “Nurses of color look for ‘action’ after an official apology from American Nurses Association,” data, which identifies the fact that 73% of the nation’s registered nurses are white; 8% are black, 5% are Asian, 10% are Hispanic or Latino and fewer than 1% are indigenous. The WAU Nursing Program provides opportunities to a diverse complement of learners, many of whom have English as a second language. Academic and licensing success is therefore proactively affirmed through personalized instruction from diverse faculty, virtual simulation, and post-graduation tutoring until successful completion of the required NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Furthermore, WAU Nursing Students experience learning that blends Career, Calling, and Christo-centric Compassion through which, in response to our healthcare crisis - healing in our world is actively affirmed.