SPOKANE, Wash. — A nationwide nursing shortage is placing soon-to-be nursing graduates in the unique position of having to choose between several promising professional nursing positions. The Semi-Annual Career Fair will take place March 6 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. on the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing campus in Spokane located at 2917 W. Fort George Wright Dr.
More than 20 hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies and the Armed Forces will be vying for the attention of the 139 undergraduate and graduate students scheduled to enter the workforce in May.
“The sheer number of nursing positions available in Washington state and elsewhere is creating a lot of anticipation for those of us who will graduate this spring,” said Ariel Garl, student event coordinator and senior class secretary/treasurer. “We know the Career Fair benefits both our students and the exhibitors because several fall semester graduates accepted offers from hospitals or agencies attending the November 2002 Career Fair.”
Student organizers have again extended an invitation to associate-degree nursing students from Spokane Community College and North Idaho College to attend the career fair.
The WSU College of Nursing continues to achieve a stellar placement rate with many students receiving multiple professional offers upon graduation. The ever-growing nursing shortage has given rise to enticing incentives for nursing grads such as tuition reimbursement, relocation reimbursement and signing bonuses.
This semester’s graduating class includes 70 baccalaureate and 22 master’s degree students from throughout the state including Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla-Walla and Yakima.
Established in 1968, the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing is the nation’s first, oldest and most comprehensive nursing education consortium. The College of Nursing offers baccalaureate, graduate and professional development course work to nursing students enrolled through its four consortium partners: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, WSU and Whitworth College. Each year the college educates more than 600 graduate and upper-division undergraduate students and prepares more entry-level nurses than any other state educational institution. For more information about the College of Nursing, visit the Web site at nursing.wsu.edu.
