About us

Redefining the future of nursing

An international leader, the UW School of Nursing is a vibrant center of teaching, research and clinical excellence. We have provided exceptional education, policy leadership, and thought innovation to the profession, nation and world since 1918.

Our impact is profound — whether we are launching our graduates into a world of opportunities or confronting the greatest health challenges of our time through undaunted research and scholarship. Together, our students, faculty and staff work boundlessly to turn ideas into impact and improve the health of people and communities locally and globally.

Leadership

The Executive Dean provides leadership of the Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma nursing programs. The Bothell and Tacoma academic program directors oversee operations at their campuses in collaboration with the Executive Dean. Historically, nursing on the campuses have shared professional accreditation and curriculum, but have operated independently in many ways. In 2017, changes in the Washington Administrative Code required a new governance model in which the Executive Dean was required to more directly ensure all three campuses had adequate educational facilities, equipment, technology and administrative and instructional personnel. The campuses have begun planning to implement these changes.

Seattle campus

Bothell campus

Tacoma campus

Initiatives

Diversity, equity and inclusion

We share an unwavering commitment to creating and nurturing an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community so that we can continue providing quality and equitable healthcare for all. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan has been a model for similar plans by UW, the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing and nursing schools in China and Japan. Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at our school.

Global health

Together, we increase the visibility of nurses’ contributions and diverse roles in improving health globally while giving students a fundamental understanding of the way culture impacts health. Our Center for Global Health Nursing is an important part of the network of UW academics working in global health research and training across disciplines and across borders to improve health and address questions of health disparities locally and worldwide.

Population health

Our school is undertaking major efforts to see that population health is an embedded part of every nursing experience, at every level from new DNP track enhancements to innovative research projects to a new faculty position. We want all nurses to be prepared to address the social determinants of health through assessment, leadership, collaborative practice, and policy development. The new Academic Health Department, an alliance between the UW Schools of Nursing and Public Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County, builds important bridges between academia and the public sector for the good of the community.

Healthy aging

Our innovative research and education serve as a catalyst for promoting healthy aging in older adults because everyone deserves the best possible quality of life as they age. Our de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging is a vibrant community of faculty, students, alumni, visiting scholars and community members who collaborate on aging initiatives, conduct research, secure funding, train our next generation of leaders, and are welcoming to those in and outside the School of Nursing with shared interests and passion.

Our mission, vision and values

Our mission is to advance nursing science and practice through generating knowledge and preparing future leaders to address health. Our vision is to pioneer improvements in health and health care through innovative nursing science, education and practice.

Our values include:

  • Collaboration*
  • Social responsibility
  • Integrity*
  • Respect*
  • Accountability
  • Diversity*
  • Excellence*

Note: those values with an asterisk are held in common with the overall University of Washington values.

Our school at a glance

Academic programs

We offer six degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They include:

The total degrees awarded in 2016:

  • 104 Doctorate (PhD and DNP)
  • 33 Master’s (MN and MS)
  • 139 Bachelor’s (BSN and ABSN)

Faculty

Rebecca O'Connor with students

  • 53 professorial rank faculty
  • 5 research professorial rank faculty
  • 22 part- and full-time lecturers
  • 41 clinical faculty
  • 137 adjunct and affiliate faculty
  • Additional training and education provided by about 300 mostly volunteer part-time clinical partners and preceptors

We have 27 faculty with distinguished fellowships or memberships, including:

  • 18 faculty members elected fellows of the American Academy of Nursing
  • 3 faculty members elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine)

Research

Scientist using a microscope

Total grant dollars awarded in fiscal year 2017: $15.9 million

Our Centers of Excellence include:

Learn more

The following fact sheets and collateral materials provide additional details about some of our work, centers and services.

Our annual report:

Our school:

Our advocacy:

Our programs and centers: