Davis Raile NonStop Local Multimedia Journalist
May 28, 2025
RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities recently announced a new initiative to help local students pursue a nursing degree while gaining practical experience.
Over the next two years, ten students will participate in the Nursing Bridge Program, which offers hands-on learning with local hospitals. The program is a collaboration between WSU Tri-Cities and Tri-Tech Skills Center, designed to connect pre-nursing graduates with local hospitals as they complete prerequisites at WSU's College of Nursing.Heather Kraemer, the Nursing Bridge Coordinator, says there was a natural connection with the Tri-Tech Skills center for the collaboration.
"They do so much in the way of worksite learning," said Kraemer. "They've been working on a yearlong program that introduces them to medical terminology, patient care, and they're essentially earning their certified nursing license."
The program kicks off this fall with students gaining experience at hospitals like Lourdes, Kadlec, and Trios. Participants will engage in real-world tasks such as checking patients' vitals and glucose levels.
Dr. Christina Chacon, Academic Director at the College of Nursing, highlighted the community impact of the program.
"These are students that are already invested in their communities," said Dr. Chacon. "These are students that are likely to fulfill the need of the community," Chacon stated.
The program is funded by the Department of Labor's Washington Career Connect Program, providing nearly $170,000 to the school.
Dr. Chacon says the program is unique in another way; providing students a direct way into schooling after they complete the program.
"As long as they've met the minimum requirements for our typical application to the nursing process, they get a direct admission to nursing school," said Dr. Chacon. "It's a direct pipeline."
To be accepted, students must complete the pre-nursing program at Tri-Tech and obtain their Washington State Nursing Assistant Certification. They also have to enroll and be accepted at WSU Tri Cities and apply for the program.