Several states ready to recruit nursing graduates

The Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing will host the semiannual Career Fair event Oct. 28 in Spokane. More than 20 health care and nursing recruiters have reserved space at what has become a popular event for recruiters and nursing students alike.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing campus, located at 2917 W. Fort George Wright Drive, Spokane.

Representatives from hospitals, nursing homes and the Armed Services will be arriving from Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This
semester’s graduating class includes 74 baccalaureate and 13 master’s students from Spokane preparing to enter the workforce following the Dec. 11 graduation ceremonies. Statewide, the College of Nursing will graduate 101 basic baccalaureate and RN to BSN students and 13 master’s students.

“Many graduates seem interested in securing jobs at hospitals due to the increased emphasis on continuing education and the training opportunities
offered at these facilities,” said Tamara Dykstra, senior class president and chair of the event. “Others are looking for something a little slower
paced. The career fair really offers something for everyone.”

WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing students receive multiple offers leading up to and following graduation, with placement rates routinely at
100 percent each semester.

“In the past, graduates have preferred to work in specialty areas, including intensive care, coronary care, emergency room, pediatrics, medical surgery and obstetrics, while others have chosen to work in
psychiatric care and community health,” said Anne Hirsch, associate dean for academic services.

Glen Potter, a 51-year-old undergraduate student and former fire chief, who took a 30 year break between his Associate of Arts education and nursing school, is particularly excited about the upcoming event. “I am preparing to do my senior practicum in Colville and am definitely going to the career fair with lots of copies of my resume in hand,” Potter said. “As a former small-town boy from Oak Harbor, I am hoping to work in rural nursing.”

Established in 1968, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college is the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive nursing education consortium.
Celebrating 36 years of world-class nursing education, the college 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 700 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 its Web site at nursing.wsu.edu.