October 22, 2004
Several States Scheduled to Recruit Nursing Graduates at Career Fair
Spokane, Wash. – The Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing will host the semi-annual Career Fair event October 28 in Spokane. More than 20 health care and nursing recruiters have reserved space at what has become a very popular event for recruiters and nursing students alike.
Representatives from hospitals, nursing homes and the Armed Services will be arriving from Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This semester’s graduating class includes 74 baccalaureate and 13 master’s students from Spokane preparing to enter the workforce following December 11 graduation ceremonies. Statewide, the College of Nursing will graduate 101 basic baccalaureate and RN to BSN students and 13 master’s students.
The event will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing campus located at 2917 W. Fort George Wright Drive, Spokane.
“Many graduates seem interested in securing jobs at hospitals due to the increased emphasis on continuing education and the training opportunities offered at these facilities,” said Tamara Dykstra, senior class president and event chairman. “Others are looking for something a little slower paced. The career fair really offers something for everyone.”
WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing students receive multiple offers leading up to and following graduation, with placement rates routinely at 100 percent each semester.
“In the past, graduates have preferred to work in specialty areas including intensive care, coronary care, emergency room, pediatrics, medical surgery, and obstetrics, while others have chosen to work in psychiatric care and community health,” said Anne Hirsch, associate dean for academic services.
Glen Potter, a 51-year-old undergraduate student and former fire chief, who took a 30 year break between his Associate of Arts education and nursing school, is particularly excited about the upcoming event. “I am preparing to do my senior practicum in Colville, and am definitely going to the career fair with lots of copies of my resume in hand,” said Potter. “As a former small town boy from Oak Harbor, I am hoping to work in rural nursing.”
Established in 1968, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college is the nation's oldest and most comprehensive nursing education consortium. Celebrating 36 years of world class nursing education, the college offers baccalaureate, graduate and professional development course work to nursing students enrolled through its four consortium partners: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, WSU and Whitworth College. Each year the college educates more than 700 graduate and upper-division undergraduate students and prepares more entry-level nurses than any other state educational institution. For more information about the College of Nursing visit the Web site at nursing.wsu.edu.