Whitworth University Launches New Bachelor of Science Nursing Program to Strengthen Care and Address Critical Shortages Across the Region

Whitworth University is pleased to announce that its new bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program has been approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and granted initial approval by the Washington State Board of Nursing. The program marks a significant step forward in preparing the next generation of nurses to serve Spokane and communities around the world.

Set to launch in fall 2027, the four-year BSN program reflects Whitworth’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for highly trained nurses across the Pacific Northwest. 

“We’re not just responding to a shortage; we’re investing in the future of our communities,” says Mike Ediger, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “Whitworth is preparing nurses who will elevate care, strengthen healthcare systems and make a lasting difference across the Inland Northwest.”

For more than 60 years, Whitworth has partnered with local hospitals, and since its inception, the WSU College of Nursing. Now, the new BSN program is building on that success with a comprehensive, approved curriculum spanning both lower- and upper-division coursework.

Whitworth’s BSN program is designed to expand access to high-quality nursing education while preparing graduates to serve in hospitals, clinics and community health centers. Under the direction of Chris Sloan, Ph.D., RN, nursing administrator and program director, the program will continue to strengthen and expand its regional ties.

“Seventy-eight percent of Whitworth undergraduates are Washington residents, and one-third come from Eastern Washington,” Sloan says. “At a time when our communities urgently need more nurses, this program creates a pathway for students to train close to home and step directly into care roles through partnerships with Providence Health Services, MultiCare Health System and Regency at Northpointe. This is an investment in the health of our region and in a future where every patient in the Inland Northwest has access to skilled, compassionate care.”

The BSN program will be housed in Hawthorne Hall, which is being transformed into a dedicated, 22,500-square-foot nursing education facility. The renovated space will feature state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments. These include a hospital-style simulation suite; two 1,000-square-foot hands-on skills labs; high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality tools; hospital-grade equipment such as beds, IV stations and medication systems; integrated electronic health record technology; and dedicated debriefing rooms to support reflection and clinical decision-making.

To learn more about the new BSN program, click here.

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Contacts: 

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.