SPOKANE, Wash. — As the 161 Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing students from across the state graduate over the next few weeks, they will be entering one of the hottest job markets in the nation.
The prolonged national nursing shortage has placed nursing graduates with baccalaureate and master’s degrees in a competitive field loaded with multiple opportunities and higher-than-average salaries.
Statewide, the 2005 graduating class includes 94 students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, 38 receiving a BSN for RNs and 29 receiving a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing campuses located in
Students preparing to graduate have been receiving qualified offers for many weeks. The difficulty comes in having to choose between competing offers. With salaries for graduates ranging from $45,000-$80,000, the potential estimated payroll for this class of graduates is $6.2 to $7.9 million.
“The salaries and opportunities for nursing graduates continue to increase annually,” said Dorothy Detlor, dean of the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing. “The number of qualified applicants intensifies each year as well. The nursing profession continues to attract students of all ages from various backgrounds, including those from diverse professions and those with previous academic degrees.”
As the largest single health care profession, employment for registered nurses will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008, creating the need for one million new and replacement nurses by 2010 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The nursing shortage is expected to intensify over the next decade as baby boomers age and a large percentage of the current nursing workforce retires.
“Nursing is an incredibly diverse profession, offering many career options. Our graduates go on to become nurse practitioners, educators and nurse executives,” Detlor said.
Friday evening (May 6) students will participate in a nursing tradition demonstrated though a convocation ceremony. During the ceremony, students will receive their nursing pins and will share with classmates, faculty and family members their future nursing career plans.
Established in 1968, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing is fully-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,
Editor’s Note: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend both the May 6 commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Spokane Opera House and the convocation ceremony at 7 p.m. See end notes for media opportunities involving students. Complete commencement information may be found online at www.spokane.wsu.edu and nursing.wsu.edu.
Commencement-student availability for media interviews and photos: 1-1:30 p.m., Friday, May 6: Selected nursing students available for interviews in the lobby area of the Spokane Opera House. Contact Susan Nielsen, 509/991-9151, for assistance.
