Ready to launch your nursing career? The Nursing Bridge Program is a unique, hands-on learning opportunity that creates a pathway for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through the WSU College of Nursing.
Over the course of this two-year program, students will gain the critical thinking skills and work experience required to successfully transition into our full-time BSN nursing program.
What Makes Nursing Bridge Unique?
The Nursing Bridge program is a partnership between WSU Tri-Cities, WSU College of Nursing, Tri-Tech Skills Center, the Employment Security Department, and local hospital partners (Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Lourdes Health, and Trios Health). The program was awarded $169,891.20 in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s WIOA Title IB Total Allocation PY23 Career Connect Washington Program Builder grant. Read more about USDOL grant funding here.
Nursing Bridge provides students interested in careers in nursing the following:
- Mentorship and support during the college application and financial aid process, as well as mentorship throughout the program.
- Career connected learning in the form of two years of paid work in a hospital setting.
- Nursing prerequisite classes that prepare you for success in college and the nursing program.
- Direct admission into the WSU College of Nursing if minimum admission requirements are met.
How Do I Apply?
To be eligible for the Nursing Bridge Program, students must complete the pre-nursing program at Tri-Tech and obtain their Washington State Nursing Assistant Certification after graduation. In addition, students must apply to and be accepted by WSU Tri-Cities and submit a Nursing Bridge Program application.
The Nursing Bridge Program admits one cohort each Fall. Applications are accepted in early Spring annually.
Nursing Bridge Admissions Checklist
- Complete the Nursing Bridge request for information form
- Apply to WSU Tri-Cities
- Complete your FAFSA/WASFA*
- Apply to the Nursing Bridge program
Nursing Bridge Overview
Courses
Nursing Bridge students spend two years on general university requirements and nursing prerequisites (see outline below). Additionally, students are automatically enrolled during the Fall of their first year in University 104, a special support class to help them transition successfully to WSU Tri-Cities. This course addresses strategies and resources for academic, career, and personal success.
Career-Connected Learning
Connecting what students learn in the classroom to the real world is what Nursing Bridge is all about. WSU Tri-Cities is partnering with three hospitals to ensure students are employed as CNAs for the duration of the two-year Nursing Bridge program. Students will collaborate with the employing hospital to complete the necessary employment application, paperwork, and training prior to the start of the program.
Nursing Prerequisites
| Course Subject | Semester Credits* | Quarter Credits* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | 8 | 10 | Must include labs. |
| Chemistry courses to include inorganic, organic, & biochemistry | 8 | 10 | Must include labs for both classes. Rarely, schools will only offer one course that covers general, organic, and biochemistry (GOB) chemistry in one package. If you would like to see if that will work for us, please contact an academic advisor for a chemistry review by providing that course's syllabus. |
| Human Growth & Development across the Lifespan | 3 | 4 | Developmental Psychology will be approved only if it addresses conception through death. Courses only covering conception through adolescent development will not be approved, unless coupled with a course covering adulthood through death. |
| Human Nutrition | 3 | 4 | Sports nutrition not acceptable. |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | 4 | Other social science courses may work as well. Please contact an advisor to review options if you have not taken a sociology course. |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 4 | |
| Microbiology | 4 | 5 | Must include lab. |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 | Must include inferential and descriptive statistics. |
Year 1
- Start general university requirements and nursing prerequisite classes at WSU Tri-Cities
- Begin CNA work at designated hospital
Year 2
- Continue prerequisite classes at WSU Tri-Cities
- Continue working as a CNA
- Apply to the College of Nursing – see website for deadlines
Year 3
- Be admitted into the WSU Tri-Cities BSN program
- Work on required nursing coursework
- Complete direct care clinical and simulation hours
Year 4
- Finish required nursing coursework
- Complete direct care clinical and simulation hours
Paying for Your Education
Students have various options for funding their education, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and employment. Be sure to complete the FAFSA or WSAFA, along with the general WSU Scholarship application, by January 31. The WSU Financial Aid website offers helpful resources and deadlines to guide you through the process.
There are even more scholarships available to students applying to the nursing program. For additional information, please visit the WSU College of Nursing Scholarships website.
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