Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2003, WSU Pullman
Master of Nursing, 2011, WSU Vancouver
Doctor of Nursing Practice, 2020, WSU Vancouver
Angie Bailey has stayed close to her alma mater over the course of her 23-year career — both literally and figuratively. Shortly after completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at WSU Pullman and the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing Education in Spokane in 2003, Bailey landed her first registered nurse job in Vancouver, where she’s lived ever since.
During her practice, Bailey gained valuable bedside hospital experience, working in adult medical-surgical and pediatrics nursing. It wasn’t long, however, before she found herself drawn in a slightly different direction — educating and preparing the next generation of caregivers for the nursing profession. In 2006, she joined the faculty at Clark College, which operates its nursing program in a building on the WSU Vancouver campus. Two decades later, she serves students as a tenured professor and faculty chair for the Clark College nursing department.
During that time, Bailey’s influence and strong WSU connections have helped reshape the college-to-profession pipeline for aspiring nurses in Southwest Washington. She was a founding member of a joint task committee that helped create a new program that lets Clark College nursing students concurrently enroll in WSU Vancouver’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program — giving aspiring nurses more options and a speedier pathway into the healthcare fields. That concurrent enrollment program began in 2022. Bailey also currently serves on the Nursing Advisory Committee for WSU Vancouver.
Meanwhile, Bailey continued to pursue her own advanced degrees at WSU Vancouver, beginning with her Master of Nursing degree, which she completed in 2011, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, obtained in 2020.
“WSU Vancouver was a natural choice to continue my education, as it was in my community and offered flexible, supportive options for working professionals. I felt welcomed and encouraged from the moment I contacted the College of Nursing,” Bailey recalled.
When asked about what she most enjoyed about her WSU Vancouver student experience, Bailey praised the university’s hybrid learning options, which made it feasible to focus on her education and a full-time teaching career at the same time, while also providing ample opportunity to meet with both peers and faculty in person.
“I have been grateful for the flexibility offered at WSU Vancouver and my employer,” Baily said. “I have been able to seek degrees at WSU Vancouver while advancing my career and growing my family here in Vancouver. I am happily married with a 7-year-old son and a 9-month-old daughter.”
Having worked on the WSU Vancouver campus for two decades, she says she’s enjoyed seeing the growth and expansion of the campus’ four-year degree options, as well as the opening of the Life Sciences Building in 2024.
Also, she adds, the location is hard to beat.
“I love the natural areas and walking trails, as well as views of Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. The campus offers a variety of spaces to connect with nature and recharge,” she said.
Outside of work, Bailey says she still maintains close relationships with some of her former classmates and loves cheering on WSU athletics as much as possible.
“I show my Cougar spirit by connecting with some of the great friends I made at WSU. I also enjoy traveling to see the Cougs play when they travel to Corvalis and Eugene for football and the University of Portland for basketball,” she said. “I would love to see a football game scheduled in the Portland metro area too. Providence Park would be a great setting to cheer on the Cougs!”
For current and future WSU students, Bailey’s advice is straightforward.
“My best advice for current and future Cougs is to engage with the Cougar community as much as they can,” she said. “This includes academics, student life and supporting Cougar athletics. Get involved and you will find community and connection!”