IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
The Wy'east Nursing Pathway is a post-baccalaureate pathway for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) committed to a nursing career. The Pathway provides a holistic, culturally-aligned framework to prepare scholars to excel as nursing students and throughout their careers.
Through a partnership between the OHSU School of Nursing and the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACOE), the Pathway recruits, educates, and retains AI/ANs into Accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing (ABS) and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs to address critical workforce needs.
Wy’east Nursing Eligibility
To be eligible for the Wy’east Nursing Pathway, the following criteria apply:
Must be a citizen or enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribe
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher
A bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Degree can be in progress during application cycle as long as it is complete by the time the program begins. Individuals with an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing are not eligible to apply for this program
All coursework may be in-progress while submitting application, except A&P which must be at least half completed by Fall of application year
Wy’east Nursing Admissions Timeline
Please note, screening and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interviews could begin as early as September, and all interviews will be conducted by mid-November.
Wy’east Nursing Pre-Requisite Courses
The following courses must be completed with a grade “B-" or higher and must be from an accredited college or university prior to starting Wy'east Nursing. If you have retaken a prerequisite, we will use the most recent grade. All science coursework must be taken within the last 7 years, including:
Anatomy and Physiology – 12 quarter credits or 8 semester credits
A&P courses can only be taken twice within the last 7 years. If you have taken a class more than 2 times in the last 7 years, your 2nd course grade will be used.
Nutrition – 3 quarter credits
Human Development – 3 quarter credits
Microbiology with lab – 4 quarter credits
Introduction to Genetics – 1 course or a module within a course; 3-4 quarter credits
Statistics – 3 quarter credits
Please note, all coursework may be in-progress while submitting application, except A&P which must be at least half completed by Fall 2024.
Wy’east Nursing Program Structure
Wy’east Nursing Team
Morgan Torris-Hedlund, PhD, MPA, RN, CEN, PHNA-BC, NHDP-BC, FAWM
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Director
Brianna Wing, RN, MSN, WHNP-BC, APNP
Mashpee Wampanoag
Wy'east Nursing Pathway Assistant Director
Annette Sampson, RN
Wallulapum, Umatilla, and Cayuse Tribe
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Faculty
Randi Powell Sexton, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES
Northern Cheyenne
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Faculty
Linda Paul, RN, PhD, CMSRN
Assistant Dean,
Portland Undergraduate Programs
Peggy Wros, PhD, RN
Planning Team Lead,
Wy’east Nursing Pathway
Professor Emeritus,
OHSU School of Nursing
Cynthia Perry, Ph.D., RN, FAHA
Evaluation Lead,
Wy’east Nursing Pathway
Professor,
OHSU School of Nursing
Deborah C. Messecar, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, OHSU School of Nursing
Roberta Paul, PhD, MS
Nez Perce
Native American Consultant for OHSU School of Nursing Wy’east Pathway
“As an Indigenous nurse, you will bring experience and wisdom that will be invaluable to the patients you serve. We hope this pathway will create the sense of belonging you deserve to reach your fullest potential.”
-Wy’east Nursing Directors Morgan Torris-Hedlund & Brianna Wing
Questions?
Contact us at wyeastnursing@ohsu.edu
