Watts College of Nursing to Relocate to Duke Health’s Interprofessional Education and Care Center
Contact
DURHAM, N.C. -- Watts College of Nursing (WCON), a pillar of nursing education in Durham for more than a century, will relocate to the Duke University campus in July 2025.
This move establishes the next chapter in WCON’s long and distinguished history, ensuring that students and faculty have access to world-class resources while maintaining the college’s independent identity.
For 18 years, WCON has been headquartered at its Croasdaile location, providing nursing education and training for the next generation of health care professionals. As part of its continued growth, WCON will move to the Interprofessional Education and Care Center within the broader Duke Health community to co-locate with the Duke University School of Nursing and the Duke Health Clinical Education & Professional Development team.
This strategic relocation strengthens the connection between academic and clinical nursing education, nurturing a stronger nursing workforce pipeline within Duke Health and beyond.
“WCON is relocating to ensure we offer our students the best facilities and learning experience,” said Dr. Yolanda S. Neal, DNP, president of Watts College of Nursing. “This move expands opportunities for our students and faculty, supports our strategic goal to increase enrollment and implement new programs, and enhances collaboration between Watts, Duke’s nursing school and Duke Health.”
The new location provides an ideal environment for academic and clinical integration, aligning with Duke Health’s broader mission to advance nursing education and practice.
“We are proud to announce this significant development within the Duke Health enterprise focused on nursing education,” said Michael V. Relf, Ph.D., interim dean of Duke School of Nursing and associate chief nurse executive for Academic Partnerships and Innovation, Duke University Health System.
“Having WCON in this space creates unique opportunities for collaboration while ensuring that WCON and Duke’s School of Nursing retain their distinct identities as separate nursing programs,” Relf said. “This decision reinforces our commitment to innovation in nursing education and clinical practice.”
The relocation also reflects Duke Health’s strategic investment in developing and strengthening the nursing workforce. By providing students with increased access to cutting-edge resources, research, and clinical training, this move supports the future of nursing education at Duke.
“This is an exciting opportunity to unite nursing education and clinical practice in a way that strengthens our entire health care system,” said Terry McDonnell, DNP, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for Duke University Health System. “Co-locating WCON and Duke’s School of Nursing within Duke Health’s ecosystem allows us to build a more integrated approach to workforce development, ensuring that our nurses are prepared to lead and innovate in patient care.”
As WCON enters its next chapter, the mission remains the same, to educate and prepare highly skilled nurses who will serve and strengthen communities across North Carolina and beyond. By aligning with Duke Health’s broader educational and clinical initiatives, WCON is reinforcing its commitment to nursing excellence, innovation, and the future of health care.
For more information and updates, please visit WCON.