Pacific Lutheran University launches fast-track nursing program

SEATTLE, Wash. — Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) has launched its fast-track nursing program that will put professionals on the front lines of care in 16 months to help ease Washington’s nursing crisis.

PLU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is meant to address an immediate need in western Washington. Officials work to ensure students a career in western Washington post-graduation.

“I’ve dreamt of being a bedside nurse for a couple years now,” said PLU student Samantha Cheever.

Cheever’s inching closer to her dream as part of the first cohort in PLU’s new accelerated nursing program. The former EMT realized she wanted to change career paths when she saw how she can help patients as a nurse.

“I want to be with them throughout - when they’re sick until they’re better- and I think that reward will outweigh the bad parts of this profession,” Cheever said.

The 16-month program in a new Lynnwood facility features a clinical lab and simulation areas to practice real-world scenarios.

Officials said it's the third accelerated program in the state. With the state's nursing staff crisis in mind, the program is designed to get these passionate students on the front lines of care faster.

“Most hospitals in this area have anywhere from 50 to 100 openings for just nurses,” said Evergreen Health Director of Educational Practices Deann Edgers.

Officials said about 30% of Washington nurses left the profession in recent years due to early retirements, burnout from COVID, increasing workloads, and nurses finding jobs in more affordable states. It's why PLU is looking at retention incentives such as tuition reimbursement and housing assistance.

“It’s our goal that we want to be significant and putting out several hundred nurses,” said PLU School of Nursing Dean Barbara Habermann.

PLU's main goal with the accelerated nursing program is for students to build relationships with local hospitals during their clinical rotations.

“We use the partnership model that we have some main clinical partners: Providence, Everett, and Evergreen. Our plan is that we will have students consistently go to the facilities so that they get to be known by the nursing staff and nursing managers and the relationship is established,” said Habermann.

This first cohort has 23 students and the program aims to eventually bring that up to 56 students.

“So we bring them in to clinical rotations so they get to know our hospital, they get to know who we are, get to know our culture,” said Edgers. “We empower them to be a part of the organization and be part of the governance structure to make decisions about what their life and work environment looks like.”

This fast-track program is partly online and applicants need at least 60 transferable credits.