Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Building a Healthier Future for Washington
Transforming Nursing Education in Our Region
Whitworth University is launching a new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to prepare the next generation of nurses to serve Spokane, Washington state and the world.
To ensure students receive industry-leading training, Whitworth is investing $5 million to hire new administrators and faculty, renovate over 22,500 square feet in an existing building, and equip state-of-the-art simulation and skills laboratories where students will develop the clinical expertise and confidence essential for professional healthcare settings.
The Project
Hawthorne Hall, a former elementary school on campus, will become Whitworth's home for nursing education. Opening in fall 2027, this dedicated facility will feature:
- A simulation suite that mirrors hospital and clinic environments
- Two, 1,000-square-foot skills labs for students to practice and master clinical skills
- High-fidelity manikins and virtual reality tools for realistic clinical scenarios
- Hospital-grade beds, IV stations and medication systems
- Electronic health record technology for data-informed practice
- Debriefing rooms where students and faculty reflect on clinical decisions in real time
Why Whitworth's BSN Matters
The Inland Northwest faces a growing nursing shortage. Hospitals and clinics in Spokane, as well as in counties including Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Adams and Whitman, struggle to fill essential nursing roles.
Each year, hundreds of qualified applicants are turned away from existing programs due to limited seats. Whitworth's new BSN program directly increases the region's nursing education capacity, allowing aspiring nurses to train close to home and placing graduates where they're needed most.
Whitworth's Regional Commitment
For over 60 years, Whitworth has prepared pre-nursing students who consistently achieve NCLEX-RN pass rates above 90 percent. The new full-degree BSN program builds on this proven foundation.
- Local roots: 78 percent of Whitworth undergraduates are Washington residents; one-third come from Eastern Washington.
- Strong partnerships: Students put their education to work in clinical placements with Providence Health Services, MultiCare Health System and Regency at Northpointe.
- Academic readiness: Lower- and upper-division curricula are approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Your Partnership Makes Access Possible
Your gift supports a healthier future for the Inland Northwest. Your investment will:
- Create cutting-edge instructional spaces for clinical learning
- Provide regional communities with expanded access to highly skilled nurses
- Prepare graduates to serve in hospitals, clinics and community health centers locally and around the globe
Together, we can ensure that patients have access to skilled, compassionate nurses equipped with a top-tier Whitworth University mind-and-heart education.
