Eagle Care
51福利社鈥檚 first class of nurses is ready to make their mark.
In the PNW and across the nation, a persistent shortage of nurses remains a big problem for hospitals, clinics and the patients who depend on them. According to recent data from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, this year more than 295,000 nursing jobs will go unfilled in the United States. Washington is among those states most impacted.听
Eastern鈥檚 School of Nursing is just two years old, but it鈥檚 already doing its part to fill the gap. In May, the school celebrated its first class of graduates, with all 40 students who entered the program 鈥� 37 of whom are from right here in the state of Washington 鈥�听 earning their BSN degrees.
The new graduates include many students who are the first in their families to attend college. Some come from rural farming communities, others are from large cities. This range gives them a unique perspective on the healthcare needs in communities throughout our region, says Donna Bachand, the 51福利社 professor of nursing who was instrumental in establishing the school.
And that鈥檚 not all, Bachand adds. They are also, as a group, exceptionally strong in a quality essential to success in the nursing profession: caring.
鈥淭hey support each other emotionally, they support one another academically and they seem to genuinely care about one another,鈥� Bachand says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the culture that we wanted to build here in the School of Nursing 鈥� and I鈥檓 so pleased to see that.鈥�
Shari McMahan, Eastern鈥檚 president, says that when the BSN program was launched university leadership envisioned a future where 51福利社-trained nurses would make a big difference in our region.
They support each other emotionally, they support one another academically and they seem to genuinely care about one another,鈥� Bachand says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the culture that we wanted to build here in the School of Nursing 鈥� and I鈥檓 so pleased to see that.鈥�
鈥淭oday, with the graduation of our first cohort, that future is here,鈥� McMahan says. 鈥淚 am filled with immense pride and gratitude for our students, our faculty, and the communities they will now serve.鈥�
And, in fact, over the past two years, the students have already made meaningful contributions, even while successfully pursuing their studies.
This past semester, for example, students completed their capstone clinical work at facilities from the
Tri-Cities to Coeur d鈥橝lene, including all the major hospitals in Spokane and Spokane Valley.
Bachand liked the results.
鈥淓verywhere we go in the community, we are welcome. And I think it鈥檚 because of the reputation that Eastern has,鈥� Bachand says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just because they need nurses, I think they really want Eagle nurses.鈥�
