How These Schools Are Preparing the Next Generation of Health Care Workers

With demand only growing due to a variety of factors — an aging population, regional need, and nursing burnout — some local universities and colleges are proactively addressing the looming shortfall by partnering with local health care facilities and monitoring health care trends.

For more insight, we recently met with Dr. David Ward, Pacific Lutheran University’s health professions dean, and Brandon Censon, Tacoma Community College’s health care dean, to discuss their schools’ programs.

While both institutions have a cap on how many students can be accepted into their nursing programs, each expressed a desire to expand based on need and capability.