You can make a difference
More Native American students are needed in health-care professions, to serve both their communities and others.
We're here for you
The Native American Recruitment and Retention Program (NARR) provides you with hands-on advising and opportunities through research, internships, and fieldwork.
You'll have the knowledge and experience you need to succeed.
NARR provides:
- Scholarships and textbook stipends
- Tutoring support
- Ongoing, face-to-face student support
- Scholarship workshops
Health science career options
WSU offers more than 20 majors with a health science component.
You can choose to become a nurse, speech-pathologist,
genetic counselor, medical technologist, exercise specialist, registered dietician, or other health-care professional.
WSU also offers preparation for pre-medical students and other pre-health students charting careers as physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, and physical therapists.
If you have a passion for working with animals, WSU has premier programs, from veterinary medicine to wildlife ecology.
What skills do I need?
Ask yourself the following questions to see if a career in the health sciences is right for you:
- Do you find satisfaction in helping others?
- Do you enjoy math and science?
- Can you express yourself well through both writing and speaking?
- Do you work well with your hands?
- Can you work well and effectively under pressure?
- Do you prefer working around others rather than independently?
How do I prepare?
To prepare for a rewarding career in health care, you first just
need the desire to succeed. Remember, you can do this,
and we are here to help you.
Take as many college-prep science and math courses as you can during high school.
Many schools require four years of math and science, four years of English, and some foreign language and computer science courses.
Consider enrolling in WSU’s annual Na-ha-shnee camp, which allows Native American high school students to explore the health sciences.
How much will I earn?
Healthcare providers receive competitive salaries. Here are some averages:
- Nursing: $52,300 (RN with a BSN)
- Pharmacy: $92,000 (PharmD after residency)
- Medicine: $150,000 (MD after residency)
- Dentistry: $137,000 (after residency)
- Exercise Science: $42,000
- Speech Pathology: $57,700
- Nutrition: $47,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Meet two of our Native health sciences students:
Nursing master's degree recipient Danica Parkin
If you'd like to see a larger version of this video, click here.
Nursing student Tony Moore remembers the day when he first thought of becoming a nurse.
If you'd like to see a larger version of this video, click here.
More Information:
Robbie Paul
Director for Native American Recruitment and Retention
- E-mail: paul@wsu.edu
- Phone: 509-324-7440
- Fax: 509-324-7341
- Nursing Building, Room 157
Establishing residency for tribal members