Establishing a good foundation is essential to your success as a nurse. This means that if you want to succeed in your chosen career, you need to do a deep dive into researching which nursing school is right for you.
Pursuing a nursing career in Washington can be a fruitful endeavor provided you’re equipped with the right education and training. Employment for registered nurses (RNs) in the state is projected to increase by 16% from 2020 to 2030, growing from 61,560 to 71,550 positions. If you want to build your career and purpose as a nurse, there’s never been an opportune time to begin.
And if you are looking for the best nursing schools in Washington, we have the exact list you’re looking for. Considering your location, budget, and career goals, this list should be able to help you get started on the right path.
University of Washington – School of Nursing
Not only is the University of Washington one of the best nursing schools in the state, it’s also one of the best in the world. The university’s reputable nursing department offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Wherever you are in your nursing journey, the school provides a program that’s right for you.
The undergraduate nursing programs at the UW Seattle Campus include both traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) if you have a prior bachelor’s degree.
The BSN program at the UW Seattle Campus is a two-year professional program that prepares you for a prolific career as a registered nurse, offering comprehensive training, from community care to hospital bedside.
Admission requirements for the two-year traditional BSN program include a GPA of 2.0, a minimum grade of 2.0 in each BSN prerequisite course, including all Natural Sciences courses, Lifespan Growth & Development, and Statistics, and 100 hours of paid or volunteer healthcare experience. You’ll also be required to submit a proof of English language proficiency. Visit their page to view the complete list of requirements.
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), University of Washington boasts a 94% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate. The traditional BSN tuition is state-funding-based; $4,325/quarter for Washington state residents and $14,403/quarter for non-residents.
Seattle University – College of Nursing
Seattle University’s nursing department offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, as well as graduate programs with multiple areas of study, including Midwifery, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health.
Known as one of the oldest Nursing programs in the state of Washington, this school has a rich history in their baccalaureate education. The BSN program has been delivering quality nursing education for over 85 years now, equipped with extensive education and training.
Interested applicants must have a 2.0 GPA in all nursing and prerequisite courses. One of the best things about this nursing school is the focus it gives to its adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program. If you are seriously interested in that specialty, then this is the right school for you.
Seattle University’s BSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are both accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington offers some of the best nursing programs in the state. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students complete their degrees on campus, but those taking graduate nursing programs will finish their studies online. You can find their complete list of nursing programs here.
The school has an advanced curriculum using Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) as its framework. CAS focuses on a “highly interdisciplinary and interconnected approach” to effectively form your skills and experience in healthcare. They’re also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Interested BSN applicants need the following requirements: completion of prerequisite courses, satisfactory GPA, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Once admitted, students should maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and achieve a C grade in all of the prerequisite nursing courses during their first two years.
Washington State University – College of Nursing
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this school offers Nursing degree programs and features state-of-the-art clinical simulation and practice nursing labs that help students develop a more intensive training and exposure needed in the Nursing field.
Programs you’ll find in this university are Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN, Master of Nursing (MN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD in Nursing. There are also Graduate Certificates for those looking for such programs, including the Nurse Educator certificate, Public Health certificate, and Nursing Leadership certificate.
It has four campuses. One is located at 03 E Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, the other one is at 200 University Parkway Yakima, another is at 1266 Lee Blvd, Richland, and the fourth is at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver. The tuition fee scheme, which is posted on their website, depends on the student’s status. Scholarships and other financial aid are also offered. Without these, the tuition fee is around $12,000 per year for Washington residents and $27,000 per year for non-residents.
Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all subjects. Prerequisite courses must also be completed where you need to have an average minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (individual prerequisite courses must be at least a C grade/2.0 GPA). You can find the complete list of requirements here.
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a reputable private nursing school in Washington state with Christian faith and values as its foundation. Some of the requirements for the BSN program include completion of Foreign Language Competency, proof of work or volunteer hours, professional reference, and a minimum 2.85 GPA. You can check the full list of requirements here if you want to apply for SPU’s BSN program.
Located at 330 Third Avenue West, Suite 111, Seattle, SPU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The tuition fee for the BSN program as of this writing is $39,492 per year with 12–18 credits (full-time) per quarter and $1,097 per credit (part time). For those interested in elevating their education and career with the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, tuition costs $899 per credit.
SPU aims to train their students to assume leadership roles in the medical field and integrates Christian values with scientific and clinical expertise.
Northwest University
Another option when searching for the best nursing schools in Washington is Northwest University, a private, Christian nonprofit school offering nursing programs nationally recognized for quality education. The university’s nursing programs are exceptional for effectively blending scientific, clinical, and holistic health studies, largely contributing to the school’s high NCLEX pass rate (currently 95%).
To apply for Northwest University’s BSN program, applicants need a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, accompanied by test scores, a resumé, and an essay. For more details on your application requirements, check out their admissions section. The school’s Undergraduate tuition as of this writing cost $35,535 (12–18 credits), exclusive of other costs like room, board, and other student fees.
In addition to the traditional BSN program, the school also offers an RN to BSN program, which students can complete online in 5 semesters or about 18 months (30-credit program). Just like Washington state’s other nursing colleges, Northwest University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Bellevue College
Bellevue College in Washington doesn’t offer a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Nursing aspirants, however, can join the healthcare field as a registered nurse (RN) by taking Bellevue’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which achieved a 96% first attempt pass rate in 2022. The requirements for the ADN program are enumerated here.
The school also has an RN-BSN program, approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. This is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their education. You’re eligible to apply if you have an Associate Degree in Nursing from a regionally Accredited Institution, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college courses, and a current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse.
The RN-BSN Program at Bellevue College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), while the ADN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
Georgetown University – School of Nursing
Georgetown University’s School of Nursing & Health Studies has since been divided into two new schools: the School of Nursing and the School of Health. The former is where you’ll find the school’s nursing programs, which currently include Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN).
Georgetown’s traditional BSN program ensures students are immersed in hands-on nursing education and training with 800+ hours of clinical, lab, simulation, and other healthcare experiences in multiple clinical settings. The program also boasts a high first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam (96-100%).
Some of the requirements to apply for the BSN program are a filled-up Georgetown application form, secondary school report and transcript of records, a teacher’s recommendation, an application fee of $75, and standardized test scores.
There are also Master’s programs available — Master of Science Entry to Nursing (MS-EN), Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Program, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program, and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP) Program.
All of Georgetown’s nursing programs have their accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Conclusion
The trajectory of your nursing career depends on the quality of education and training you’ll receive. That’s why the first step to achieving your goals is choosing the best nursing school. Fortunately, Washington is filled with universities offering excellent nursing programs. Consider your location, budget, educational preferences and expectations, as well as your career plans in order to make an informed decision.
