2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Washington

At Pierce College, students interact with the faculty and staff in the teaching and learning process so that they are empowered to build upon the assimilation of nursing knowledge, scholarships, and skills that lead to the provision of competent and compassionate nursing care. 

The college aims to promote excellence in registered nursing practice that focuses on diversity, intercultural, and holistic aspects of care. By the end of the courses, nursing students are made competent on patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient safety, and informatics. With theory classes taught by excellent faculty, clinical simulations in state-of-the-art laboratories, and clinical rotations in multiple health facilities across the region, nursing students garner all the skills that are required to become successful general care providers. 

Along with highly affordable classes, Pierce college also provides multiple financial aids to assist students to achieve quality education. Students can also seamlessly transfer to multiple other universities in the state if they wish to complete their BSN degree.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and the LPN-RN program both allow students to obtain their RN license and practice as skilled healthcare delivery personnel. The courses expertly integrate general nursing courses with other key skills such as statistics, psychology, and languages so that students are well versed with all the well-versed including research and diversity.

At Bellingham Technical College, nursing students learn high-demand skills needed for a successful and rewarding career in the challenging, highly technical, and rapidly advancing world of healthcare and wellness. 

Nursing graduates from Bellingham Technical College have found employment in a number of areas such as hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, and more. By the time they graduate, the students are apt in nursing care, self-care promotion, professionalism, collaborative leadership, and clinical judgment, all of which are the core values of the nursing profession. The college also has excellent NCLEX pass rates and job placement rates, in addition to a long list of satisfied employers. 

Undergraduate Programs: Bellingham Technical College has a highly sought-after Associate Degree DTA/MRP. This two-year full-time course is designed for students who are completely new to the nursing field and want to earn their RN license and practice as entry-level generalist nurses. There is also an LPN-RN option which is a part-time option for working LPNs who want to earn their RN degree.

Similarly, the Practical Nursing Certificate is a part-time pathway designed for students who want to become Licensed Practical Nurses.

Nursing education at Gonzaga University School of Nursing and Human Physiology focuses on humanity, intention, and heart. The University offers a humanistic, Jesuit approach across all degrees and multiple programs.

The education delivery occurs through faculty members with more than 30 years of experience in teaching face-to-face as well as online education. In addition, all the nurse practitioner faculty still actively work in healthcare. They are also responsible for providing students with access to current healthcare policy issues, evolving trends, and real-world challenges facing the industry. 

Education at Gonzaga University School of Nursing and Human Physiology occurs around the framework of Complex Adaptive System, which is a highly interdisciplinary and interconnected approach that allows students to build their skills and experience one step at a time. 

Undergraduate Programs: Upon graduating from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, students will be able to work as professional nurses grounded in leadership, professionalism, effective communication, and safe, competent, ethical care. The degree focuses on the practice in community, reflection, servant leadership, and social justice.

Graduate Programs: The online RN to MSN degree is designed for registered nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing. The course provides students an accelerated path to earn a masters’ degree. In addition to this, for students who already have a BSN degree, there is also an online MSN track that provides students with three tracks to advance their careers; Nursing Leadership in Healthcare, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

There is an additional online Second Master’s Degree option for students who already have a master’s degree in nursing along with an RN license and are seeking a secondary area of specialization. Furthermore, there are two DNP tracks available; one for nurses who have completed their bachelor’s degree and one for masters’ prepared nurses.

Tacoma Community College proudly introduces its graduates who are competent, skilled nurses that excel in all areas of healthcare services. Students are prepared to pass their NCLEX and get employed as generalists RNs in a variety of healthcare facilities. The college boasts the highest numbers in the state in terms of NCLEX pass rates, program completion rates, employment rates, and employer satisfaction rates. 

Nursing students at Tacoma Community College benefit from the state-of-the-art simulation labs that create real-life scenarios in a hospital-like environment where students can practice their nursing skills as well as communication skills and teamwork. Graduates function ethically and legally within the standards and competencies of local, state, and national regulatory agencies and professional organizations. Owing to clinical practice at multiple healthcare facilities and instruction by skilled faculty, the students are able to apply strong critical thinking and clinical judgment skills, using evidence-based practice to make clinical decisions. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate Degree in Nursing and LPN to RN Bridge program both prepare students to become highly skilled registered nurses. The ADN degree is ideal for those who work less than 20 hours per week as it is a full-time course that takes three years to complete. In addition, students can complete one more full-time year at a four-year college to earn a BSN degree after completing their ADN degree.

Through its rigorous and detailed curriculum, Skagit Valley College prepares students for a lifelong career in nursing practice. Skagit Valley College has one of the best nursing programs in the entire state, and its high NCLEX pass rates and the graduate employment rates are testimonials to the quality education provided here. 

Skagit Valley College teaches its students valuable nursing skills such as strong communication skills, excellent problem-solving abilities, focused concentration, attention to detail, teamwork, and expertise in life sciences. The college campus houses a high-fidelity simulation lab that provides the students with a hospital-like environment where they can practice their nursing skills and teamwork. Students also learn via clinical rotations in various long-term, acute, and community healthcare facilities in the region. Graduates of the program are employed in a variety of settings like hospitals, extended care centers, home healthcare agencies, physician’s offices, mental health facilities, and other healthcare settings.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP program prepares students for their NCLEX-RN examination and a career as a registered nurse, as well as an entry into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion degree.

Similarly, the AAS (Registered Nursing) course prepares students for a lifelong career in nursing practice. Graduates of this program have been working as Registered Nurses, Critical Care Nurses, Acute Care Nurses, and more.

Northwest University is located in Kirkland, Washington.  They are a Christian university, so they require bible and theology classes for their curriculum.  Their BSN program is unique because they offer their students the opportunity to study abroad in Kazakhstan, Kenya, Taiwan, Vietnam, India and Mexico.

Located in Bellingham, WA, Whatcom Community College has one of the best nursing programs in the entire state. Owing to the rigorous full-time classes and other skill-building activities, it is no surprise that the NCLEX pass rates of Whatcom Community College are higher than the national average.

The students here learn in daytime lecture and lab classes as well as both daytime and evening clinical rotations. By the end of the coursework, students canare able to perform competent nursing care, employ professionalism, use sound clinical judgment, collaborate with the healthcare team and practice safety. Whatcom Community College prepares its students to become competent leaders who can bring about a positive change in the nursing profession and enhance the health of the community. 

The classes here are very demanding, including and students are advised to limit their other obligations as they’ll need to put in a minimum of 20 hours per week for assignments, on top of the full-time classes. 

In addition to that, the college is famously affordable and also offers multiple financial aid opportunities, including FAFSA, Veterans Services, The WashBoard scholarships, Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, and so on. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate in Nursing program allows students to take their NCLEX-RN examination upon completion. The RNs are then able to complete their BSN in one academic year at any accepting university in Washington state.

Nursing students at Olympic College undergo rigorous training and instruction to become qualified professionals who can deliver quality nursing care. The college fosters an interactive environment that encourages growth and maximizes the potential of each individual student so that they can achieve high academic and ethical standards. 

The highly skilled instructors help students develop a reflective and caring personality along with professional behavior and commitment to lifelong learning. The students are challenged to become responsible decision-makers and be accountable for the consequences of their actions via multiple simulations in the simulation labs as well as in clinical rotations. Nursing graduates of Olympic College have been employed in a number of healthcare settings such as home health care, hospitals, community-based healthcare facilities, long-term care, and more. Graduates have also claimed that the college prepared them to become better speakers and advocate for their patients’ rights. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Olympic college prepares graduates to provide safe, evidence-based care to a diverse population. The program is available via two pathways; the Veterans and Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN (VL-BSN) pathway and the Nursing (RN-BSN) pathway. These programs offer flexibility for the working nurses with one, two, or three-year plans to complete the degree.

In addition to this, the college also provides a 13 credits Nursing Assistant program and 75.5 - 84.5 credits Practical Nursing programs.

At Walla Walla University, students are taught a faith-based perspective on patient care by an engaging and clinically experienced faculty. The students focus on holistic care as they prepare for NCLEX from the preparation course included in the curriculum.

The graduates have praised the research aspect of the curriculum and the patient-focused care modality taught here. Owing to the focus on evidence-based practice, the students learn to interpret studies and assess evidence to determine the best nursing practice. The students learn in small class sizes that allow for more faculty and peer-to-peer interactions. Along with quality theory classes, the students gain 800 to 1000 hours of clinical experience outside the classroom in a variety of acute care and community health settings. Similarly, global and cross-cultural nursing experience opportunities account for a strong foundation and preparation for graduate education. 

In addition to excellent NCLEX pass rates and amazing placement rates, graduates of Walla Walla University have been well received by employers who have claimed that they made valuable contributions to the healthcare facility in terms of providing care, research, leadership, and more. 

Undergraduate Programs: Walla Walla University offers a traditional bachelors’ degree. The University also offers individualized options to complete a bachelors’ degree via two tracks; RN to BSN and LPN to BSN. 

In addition to this, transfer students who have completed their pre-requisite courses at another institution can also easily apply to start their bachelor’s degree at Walla Walla University.

Bellevue College is located in Bellevue, Washington.  Their program consists of a Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) Training Program, an ADN program and an RN to BSN program.  They also offer an RN refresher program, which is available for students who have been out of the workforce and need to brush up on their nursing skills.

Nursing students at Bellevue College are prepared for life-long learning via a high-quality, flexible, and accessible education. The nursing program aims to be responsive to the changing needs of the community and is representative of the diverse demographics of the college. 

One of the most remarkable programs that the nursing students at Bellevue College are a part of is the international partnership with a hospital in Ghana. As a part of this program, students get the opportunity to apply the nursing process that they have learned in the context of diversity, global health, sustainability, and global citizenship and service in Ghana. Similarly, second-year ADN students also have the opportunity to integrate this service-learning project as a part of their clinical learning outcomes related to leadership, community health, and pediatric assessment for the course transition to Nursing Practice and Pediatric Nursing. 

Other opportunities provided by Bellevue College include a state-of-the-art, eight-bed, mock-up hospital space simulation center that is well equipped to mimic a real hospital floor. In addition to this, the college also provides opportunities for internationally educated nurses to take the courses needed to become licensed in the state of Washington.

Undergraduate Programs: The college offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program that prepares them to begin a career as Registered Nurses. Similarly, for students already working as RNs, the RN to BSN program helps them enhance their skills and leadership to become managers of care, researchers, and nurse leaders. 

In addition to these programs, the college also provides regular CNE classes and workshops on a variety of topics such as CPR, IV skills, Venipuncture, etc. For RNs who are not actively practicing, the college offers an RN refresher program. Similarly, internationally educated nurses in the college can also take the courses they need to become licensed.

There is also a Nursing Assistant Certified course that provides necessary knowledge and skills to students in order for them to provide daily care to adult residents, patients, and clients unable to care for themselves.

University of Washington is located in Seattle, Washington. Their nursing department has been in existence since 1918, with their BSN program beginning in 1923. Ranked as one of the top public nursing institutions in the nation, the University of Washington School of Nursing aims to address the healthcare needs of communities in Washington and around the world through education, research, and service. The students, along with the staff and faculty, work tirelessly to turn ideas into impact and improve the health of people and communities locally and globally.

The University of Washington is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, they are committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community to provide quality and equitable education for all. Similarly, their Centre of Global Health Nursing plays an important part in the network of the university’s academics working in global health research and training to improve health and address questions of health disparities locally and worldwide. Another prominent program of this university is the Population Health program which ensures that population health is embedded in every part of the nursing experience, from DNP tracks to innovative research projects.

Undergraduate Programs: The BSN degree at the University of Washington is a two-year program that includes over 1,000 hours of hands-on patient care experience so that the students are well prepared for a successful career as a Registered Nurse. Similarly, there is also a program for students who already have a bachelors’ degree and are looking to complete another degree in nursing. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ASBN) program allows them to gain a BSN degree in four rigorous back-to-back quarters.

Graduate Programs: Additionally, there is an online Master of Science in Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies program for healthcare professionals who want to enhance their expertise in clinical informatics and healthcare technology.

Ranked as one of the best in the state, the DNP program offers multiple specializations, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, FNP, Population Health Nursing, and more. There is also a Ph.D. program for those who seek it.

Nursing graduates of Wenatchee Valley College are apt in technological advances while demonstrating the value of human caring. They provide teachings related to health promotion and encourage people to do the same. 

Nursing students at Wenatchee Valley College get a chance to practice in hands-on clinical environments in a variety of healthcare settings. Similarly, practical sessions in the community provide the students with healthcare experience, which allows them to practice critical thinking, effective decision making, and holistic healthcare delivery skills. Students enjoy the benefits of individualized mentoring and instruction in small class sizes led by highly skilled faculty members and instructors. Patient-centered care, Nursing process, Collaboration, Communication, and Professionalism are the core values upon which the nursing graduates of Wenatchee Valley College act upon and base their nursing careers in.

The tuition rates at Wenatchee Valley College are about half the cost per quarter of four-year state universities. The college is also committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students and employees. Similarly, students get to build their teamwork and leadership skills in the multiple extracurricular activities available in the college.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate Degree Nursing program at Wenatchee Valley College prepares highly educated, technically advanced, competent, and caring graduates who can lead a successful nursing career upon passing their NCLEX-RN examination.

Similarly, the RN to BSN program allows RNs with an ADN degree to complete their bachelors’ degree within a year. This program comprises 80% online and 20% face-to-face instruction.