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WSU College of Nursing honored as center of excellence

In the Washington State College of Nursing's Clinical Simulation Lab, Barb Wallace, a skills lab preceptor, left, helps Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Edina Brown do a wound care assignment on a mannequin. The need for nurses is growing as implementation of the Affordable Care Act takes hold. Schools such as WSU, Gonzaga and others are expanding to fill the need. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
By Rachel Alexander rachela@spokesman.com(509) 459-5406

Washington State University’s College of Nursing was recognized Monday as a Center for Excellence in nursing education, one of 15 programs selected for the honor from around the country.

The National League for Nursing, which represents about 1,200 institutions, selects nursing programs for recognition each year based on applications.

WSU’s nursing program was honored for enhancing student learning and professional development, alongside Emory University, Purdue University and the University of Kansas, among others.

“Being named a Center of Excellence, the only college in the Northwest to be honored in this manner, recognizes our innovative, learner-centered teaching, enhanced by a sophisticated simulation program for hands-on, experiential learning,” said Joyce Griffin-Sobel, dean of the college, in the release.

WSU’s application highlighted its focus on research among nursing students and the demographic diversity of its student body, according to a news release from the university. From 2013-2016, the 43 percent of the college’s undergraduates were first-generation college students, the release said.

Selected programs should “serve as exemplars” and be willing to share knowledge with other nursing programs aspiring for recognition, the a news release from the NLN said.