December 8, 2004
Job Market Bright for 114 Fall Nursing Graduates
Spokane, Wash. – The Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing will honor 114 statewide fall 2004 nursing graduates at an evening convocation ceremony in Spokane, Dec. 11. Commencement ceremonies will take place earlier that day in Pullman. Several undergraduate and graduate nursing students from the Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla and Yakima campuses will travel to Pullman for the 10 a.m. graduation ceremonies.
These nursing graduates enter a job market that continues to offer opportunities for registered nurses in many traditional and specialty areas. Graduates continue to receive numerous professional offers weeks and even months before they graduate, due in large part to the growing nursing shortage affecting hospitals and health care organizations nationwide.
The fall graduating class consists of 85 students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, 16 completing an RN to BSN degree and 13 receiving a Master in Nursing degree from WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla and Yakima.
As the largest single health care profession, employment for registered nurses will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). The aging population and the aging nursing workforce have contributed to the shortage situation.
“Our graduates have the option of working in a variety of areas, including large urban centers, rural communities, the armed services and private industry,” said Dorothy Detlor, dean of the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing. “Geography, location, and practice preferences all play a role in the nursing position these graduates ultimately accept. Many graduates choose to stay in their home communities or the Northwest region, but many also intend to pursue opportunities available in other parts of the country.”
Glen Potter, a 51-year-old former fire chief graduating with a BSN, plans to work in public health in a rural community where the nursing shortage is even more acute. “I’m looking forward to the small town atmosphere and I think it will be great to work with the variety of populations present in rural communities.”
To receive a license to practice, entry level nurse candidates take a test known as the National Council Licensure Examination, abbreviated to NCLEX ®. This test is given to assure that nurses are competent to perform effectively and safely. The WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing continues to have one of the highest pass rates for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination in the state of Washington.
The professional commitment to nursing by those graduates receiving their BSN degree is demonstrated during a traditional convocation ceremony held each semester in conjunction with graduation ceremonies. The convocation ceremony is a time for sharing the goals and dreams each graduate has for their nursing career with family, fellow students and faculty. During the ceremony students receive their nursing pin from family members and light a candle, a symbolic image of the nursing profession.
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 and in five communities across the state. 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.
Editor’s Notes: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend both the Dec. 11 graduation ceremonies, beginning at 10 a.m., in the WSU Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum in Pullman and the College of Nursing convocation held Dec. 11, at 6 p.m., at the Spokane Falls Community College Music Auditorium.