Bushnell University Expands Nursing Program with Acquisition of PeaceHealth Buildings

Bushnell University is gearing up for a big change on its Eugene campus. This was announced during the school’s 130th annual convocation, a special event celebrating the start of the new academic year.

The university will acquire two former hospital buildings on Alder Street and 11th Avenue. This addition will add 125,000 square feet to the campus, primarily aimed at expanding the College of Health Professions.

PeaceHealth shut down its University District hospital in phases, with the Emergency Room closing in December 2023. Now, parts of that campus are up for sale. University President Dr. Joseph Womack explained that this move will allow Bushnell to admit more graduate students into its nursing programs.

“Bushnell is already the largest producer of master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling in Oregon. This expansion enables us to grow that capacity quickly,” Womack said. He added that the new space will support the university’s development for over a decade.

This expansion also aims to address a pressing need for healthcare workers in Lane County. According to Womack, “75% of our nursing graduates over the last six years have remained in Lane County. The demand is so high that many get hired before they even graduate.” This statistic highlights the urgency of building a stronger workforce in the local health sector.

While there’s no confirmed date for the acquisition’s completion, Womack anticipates it will be finalized before the end of September. “We’ll begin working on it as soon as we can,” he noted.

Alongside the new building plans, the convocation also marked the recommissioning of Goodrich Hall and the dedication of a new bell tower, signifying Bushnell’s commitment to enhancing its campus and educational facilities.

For a broader perspective, similar expansions in higher education often reflect a growing trend in meeting regional workforce needs. Recent studies indicate that many universities are prioritizing healthcare programs due to the increasing demand for skilled professionals, particularly in community settings. Expansions like Bushnell’s are not just beneficial for the university but for the communities they serve.

This development at Bushnell adds to a trend where educational institutions are stepping up to fill gaps in local job markets, fostering stronger connections between academia and community needs.



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