WSU College of Nursing Yakima-based education transitions to Tri-Cities and Spokane campuses

Washington State University's College of Nursing will transition its Yakima-based undergraduate and graduate students to the WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Spokane campuses for degree completion at the end of the spring 2026 semester. The College will continue to work closely with healthcare partners in the Yakima Valley for clinical rotations and to support the nursing workforce needs in the region.

"This difficult decision reflects our commitment to strengthening the region's nursing workforce while being responsible stewards of limited resources. By focusing our efforts, we are safeguarding the long-term excellence of WSU's nursing program, the largest producer of registered nurses in Washington" said Anne Mason, interim dean for the College of Nursing. "We are deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, preceptors, donors, healthcare partners, and community members whose dedication has made the Yakima Valley a remarkable place of learning, service, and compassion for our students."

Consolidating the college's programmatic operations in Yakima allows WSU to continue addressing the state's critical nursing shortages while improving fiscal sustainability. Importantly, this change will not reduce the availability of seats in WSU's nursing programs; instead, it will reallocate those seats to the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

A total of 27 BSN students enrolled in the Yakima-based program will receive dedicated one-on-one advising and individualized transition plans to support continuity and timely completion of their education. "We are making important decisions to protect the academic programs that train Washington's future nurses - professionals essential to the health of our state," said Chris Riley-Tillman, provost and executive vice president. "We remain committed to the core academic mission of WSU Health Sciences. By investing in the areas that most directly support the workforce outcomes of our academic programs and the community impacts of the research and programs we deliver, we are positioning Washington for better health and a bright future."

WSU's dedication to addressing rural workforce shortages and improving access to care remains unchanged. Clinical rotation opportunities will continue to be offered in rural regions across the state. Additionally, the recently launched Rural Nursing Pathway program was designed to prepare students in northeast and southeast Washington for the unique demands of rural nursing, including obstetric care, while allowing learners to remain in their rural communities. "For five decades, Yakima Valley hospitals, clinics, schools, long-term care facilities, and community organizations welcomed our students, mentored them, and helped shape them into Coug Nurses who now are shaping the future of healthcare," said Mason. "We look forward to continuing the legacy of WSU's presence in Yakima through our clinical placements and our robust alumni network."

Media Contacts

• Gina Raebel, WSU College of Nursing, 509-358-7950, [email protected]