Logo of West Eastern Nursing featuring a graphic of hands and the text 'W'Y'EAST NURSING'.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Logo for Ohio State University School of Nursing with a stylized caduceus symbol and text.

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The Wy'east Nursing Pathway is a 3-month preparatory 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 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs to address critical workforce needs.  

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OHSU School of Nursing

Wy’east Nursing Info Sessions

Register to attend our upcoming Wy'east Nursing Pathway Webinars + Q&A. The webinars will be hosted live via Cisco WebEx, and you will receive a calendar invite and link following registration

The sessions will include a brief overview of the Wy'east Nursing Pathway and an introduction + Q&A with Director, Morgan Torris-Hedlund and Assistant Director, Brianna Wing.

When:

  • August 14, 2025: 12 - 1 PM PT

  • September 18, 2025: 12 - 1 PM PT

  • October 16, 2025: 12 - 1 PM PT

REGISTER

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 

Chart titled 'WY'EAST NURSING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM' comparing requirements for Accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing and 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, with bullet points detailing eligibility criteria for each program.

Wy’east Nursing Admissions Timeline

Timeline of Wy'east application process. Application is open october fifteenth to january fifteenth.

Please note, screening and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interviews could begin as early as late January, and all interviews will be conducted by the end of February. 

Wy’east Nursing Pre-Requisite Courses

Comparison of prerequisites for WY'EAST nursing pre-requisite courses by program; on the left, Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing, and on the right, 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Wy’east Nursing Program Structures

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing - Accelerated Program of Study

A nursing pathway flowchart illustrating stages from pre-pathway, summer, fall, winter, spring, to post-grad, with color codes, logos of Ohio State University School of Nursing and Wyeast Nursing.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing - 3-Year Program of Study

Flowchart illustrating prerequisites and mentoring stages across academic years and seasons for Wy'east Nursing students, differentiated by color and labels.
Map of Oregon showing locations of tribal nations, confederated tribes, and key cities such as Portland, Monmouth, La Grande, Ashland, Klamath Falls, and Burns Paiute Tribe, with areas marked for confederated tribes and tribal nations.

Oregon Tribal Nations and OHSU School of Nursing Campus Map

Wy’east Nursing Team

Portrait of a man with short brown hair, wearing a dark blazer over a denim shirt, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression, indoors with blurred background.

Morgan Torris-Hedlund, PhD, MPA, RN, CEN, PHNA-BC, NHDP-BC, FAWM
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Director

Full Bio
Black and white portrait of a woman with long curly hair, wearing a ribbed top and distinctive earrings, smiling gently, standing against a plain background.

Brianna Wing, RN, MSN, WHNP-BC, APNP 
Mashpee Wampanoag 
Wy'east Nursing Pathway Assistant Director

Full Bio
A smiling female nurse or healthcare professional wearing blue scrubs, a stethoscope around her neck, and a name badge, standing in a hospital or medical facility.

Annette Sampson, RN
Wallulapum, Umatilla, and Cayuse Tribe
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Faculty

Full Bio
A woman in a U.S. Navy uniform standing in front of American and Navy flags, smiling and holding a peaked cap.

Randi Powell Sexton, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES
Northern Cheyenne
Wy’east Nursing Pathway Faculty

Full Bio
A smiling woman with blonde hair standing outside near a tree with buildings and parked cars in the background.

Linda Paul, RN, PhD, CMSRN
Assistant Dean,
Portland Undergraduate Programs

Full Bio
Smiling middle-aged woman with blonde, wavy hair standing outdoors in front of a backdrop of green leaves with reddish edges.

Peggy Wros, PhD, RN
Planning Team Lead,
Wy’east Nursing Pathway
Professor Emeritus,
OHSU School of Nursing

Full Bio
A smiling middle-aged woman with curly gray hair, wearing glasses, a yellow jacket, and a green necklace, against a gray background.

Cynthia Perry, Ph.D., RN, FAHA
Evaluation Lead,
Wy’east Nursing Pathway
Professor,
OHSU School of Nursing

Full Bio
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Deborah C. Messecar, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, OHSU School of Nursing

Full Bio
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Roberta Paul, PhD, MS
Nez Perce
Native American Consultant for OHSU School of Nursing Wy’east Pathway

Full Bio

“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