According to recent predictions, Washington state will have a shortage of nurses in the coming years. To avoid or limit this challenge, various universities and colleges, hospitals, nursing organizations, and government agencies are offering scholarships to remove financial barriers to nursing education to enable more people to have unrestricted access to nursing school to increase the number of nurses in the state. Here, I have gathered all the scholarships for nursing students in Washington state to save you the stress of looking for them, let’s dive in.
Findings from my research revealed that Washington State is a wonderful place for nurses to pursue a career in healthcare. It is home to several top-performing hospitals, high salaries for nurses, and is a beautiful place to live. These are among the reasons many nurses are choosing to work and live in Washington. Even for those who wish to study nursing here, there are many wonderful opportunities for them.
To practice as a nurse in Washington, you must graduate from an accredited nursing program either with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) which takes two and four years respectively to complete. When you earn either of these nursing degrees, you can then be eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. Additional steps include filling out a background screening and providing evidence of having completed at least seven hours of AIDS training.
When you pass the examination and the other requirements as set out by the state, then you can earn your license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Washington. From this stage, you can decide to take up professional nursing studies and focus on a specialty if you wish.
And that is how you become a nurse in Washington.
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What is the Salary of Nurses in Washington
The average annual salary of RNs in Washington state is $95,350 according to the BLS.
Yes, working as a nurse in Washington offers many amazing opportunities, perks, and benefits but becoming a nurse is no walk in the park. Among these challenges is the costly tuition that discourages many from attending nursing school in Washington. But this is tackled with the provision of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other financial aid.
Scholarships for nursing students in Washington state can help pay for tuition costs of nursing school and reduce your need for other types of financial aid such as student loans. The scholarship will also serve as a solution to the predicted shortage of 7,000 nurses in Washington in 2025 because it will attract more people to study nursing thus increasing the number of nurses in the state.
California is also suffering from a much more severe shortage of nurses and offers nursing scholarships as one of the measures to counter the issue. There are so many nursing scholarships in the US from different sources like the HRSA, NHSC, IHS, and many more. There are also several grants for nursing school which you may also qualify for but as a nursing student in Washington, you should drive most of your effort into the scholarships curated here as you have a higher chance of winning them.
Scholarships For Nursing Students In Washington State
The following are scholarships in Washington State for nursing students:
- PLU School of Nursing Student Awards and Scholarships
- King County Nurses Association (KCNA) Scholarships
- Western Washington University Nursing Scholarships
- The University of Washington School of Nursing Scholarships & Fellowships
- The University of Washington Tacoma School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership Scholarships
- Elizabeth Thomas Legacy Nursing Scholarship
- Washington State Community College Nursing Grant
- Seattle University College of Nursing Endowed Scholarships
- The Washington State Nurses Foundation Scholarships
- Rainier Olympic Nurses Association Scholarships
- Seattle Pacific University Graduate Scholarships and Aid
- The Lois Jean Roberts Nursing Scholarship Program
- Black Nurses Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area, Inc.
- Conway School of Nursing Scholarships and Aid
1. PLU School of Nursing Student Awards and Scholarships
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) School of Nursing offers scholarships every year specifically to nursing students enrolled into undergraduate and graduate programs. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment, Admission, and Progression (RAP) Committee for any scholarship for which the student qualifies. The scholarship award varies each year in criteria and amount.
2. King County Nurses Association (KCNA) Scholarships
This is one of the scholarships for nursing students in Washington state offered by KCNA to support qualified nursing students. You must be currently enrolled in a nursing program in Washington to be eligible for the scholarship. One of the purposes of the scholarship is to support nurses to be change agents in creating a healthier community in King County.
3. Western Washington University Nursing Scholarships
Students enrolled or accepted in nursing programs at Western Washington University are eligible for several nursing-specific scholarships namely; Chuckanut Health Nursing Scholarship, Evelyn Schuler Scholarship for Nursing, Katherine A. Brunken Scholarship, West-Gammon Scholarship, and Frances M. Frazier Nurse Corps Scholarship.
The requirements and criteria for each of these awards vary. There is no separate application, you will be automatically considered for the award. You can only win one of the awards.
4. The University of Washington School of Nursing Scholarships & Fellowships
The scholarships for nursing students offered by the above-named school are divided into three namely; scholarships for new students, scholarships & fellowships for current students, and School of Nursing Research Center scholarships, all of these awards are for Ph.D. nursing students.
The scholarships for new students are offered annually to all new Ph.D. students, the amount and number of awards vary annually, and it does not require a separate application. The scholarship & fellowships for current students do not require a separate application either and are for those enrolled in the nursing program at the PD level.
5. The University of Washington Tacoma School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership Scholarships
New and continuing RN-BSN and MN students are awarded scholarships every year by the nursing school of the University of Washington at Tacoma. The awards range from $500 to $5,000 each. If you are interested in the scholarship, you will be required to fill out the FAFSA or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid.
6. Elizabeth Thomas Legacy Nursing Scholarship
The Elizabeth Thomas Legacy Nursing Scholarship is one of the scholarships for nursing students in Washington State made available by Seattle Children’s Hospital to increase the diversity of RNs in the community. Only those from historically underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical and health sciences are eligible to apply.
The $5,000 scholarship award is given to those who demonstrate excellence and commitment to improving the care and well-being of children and their families. Eligible applicants must also be enrolled, accepted, or in the process of applying for an undergraduate or graduate-level nursing program. The fund will only be used for tuition and fees.
7. Washington State Community College Nursing Grant
Every year, Washington State Community College receives $12,000 from the federal government to give to eligible nursing students at WSCC. The grant can help offset expenses such as rent, transportation, childcare, food, and more. The scholarship value is $6,000 per semester.
8. Seattle University College of Nursing Endowed Scholarships
Every year, the College of Nursing at Seattle University offers scholarships to new and current students based on financial need and academic performance. The scholarship value ranges from $2,000 to $6,000 per year. Applicants must file the FAFSA for the current academic year to be considered for financial aid eligibility.
9. The Washington State Nurses Foundation Scholarships
This is a nursing foundation in Washington offering scholarships to support the nursing education of eligible students. The scholarship is offered annually to residents of Washington State enrolled in a nursing program in the state and who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. It is made available to those enrolled in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Recipients are selected based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, professional activities, commitment to the WSNA, application writing quality, inspiration, goals, and advocacy. The scholarship amount begins from $1,000 and above.
10. Rainier Olympic Nurses Association Scholarships
Rainier Olympic Nurses Association aka RONA is one of the associations in Washington State offering nursing scholarships. The association offers 4 different types of scholarships to nursing students living or attending school in Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, Grays Harbor, Mason, Clallam & Jefferson counties.
Each of the scholarships are targeted to different students and thus have varying criteria and award amount. You must send your applications before the deadline.
11. Seattle Pacific University Graduate Scholarships and Aid
The Graduate Nursing Program under the School of Health Sciences offers specific nursing scholarships to students enrolled in the program. The scholarships are offered every year and are awarded through Student Financial Services.
12. The Lois Jean Roberts Nursing Scholarship Program
Chuckanut Health Foundation established the Lois Jean Roberts Nursing Scholarship Program in memory of Lois Jean Roberts to promote and expand opportunities for qualified students to attend and complete their nursing education, specifically for RN and BSN degrees. The program offers financial assistance to qualified nursing students enrolled in Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, or Skagit Valley College.
Applicants must reside in Whatcom County or have graduated from a Whatcom County high school. Applications are accepted annually.
13. Black Nurses Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area, Inc.
The above-named association provides four scholarships annually to African-American licensed nurses and student nurses who are residents of the District of Columbia and adjacent counties of the State of Maryland. Each of the scholarships has its specific requirements, application deadline, and reward amount.
14. Conway School of Nursing Scholarships and Aid
Conway School of Nursing is the nursing school of the Catholic University of America. The nursing school offers scholarships and need-based grants to more than 90% of its undergraduate students. It is one of the most generous nursing scholarships in Washington offering full scholarships that cover full tuition, fees, average room and board, and books. It is awarded to 12 students each year.
This wraps up the list of nursing scholarships in Washington state, you can apply for as many as you fit into their criteria. Most, if not all, are available to residents and non-residents. This is an opportunity for you to study, work, and live in one of the best places for nurses.
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