Preparing Compassionate and Skilled Clinicians and Nurse Leaders

            SMU’s College of Nursing is proud to be a top provider of registered nurses in Northern California and the Central Valley. We prepare you for careers in all levels of the field, from entry-level clinical positions to advanced careers in primary care and nursing leadership.

            In line with SMU’s mission, our programs prepare nurses to promote health and well-being across diverse populations and communities, recognize the importance of social determinants of health, and practice with compassion, kindness, and respect. Our curriculum blends theory, research, and practice and prepares you to make evidence-based decisions and work independently or in tandem with other caregivers.

            mission
            Mission

            The College of Nursing prepares highly skilled nurse clinicians and nurse leaders who promote health and well-being across diverse populations and communities, recognize the importance of social determinants of health, and practice with compassion, kindness, and respect.

            vision
            Vision

            Through innovations in nursing education, we prepare nurses who will improve the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve and transform their healthcare experience through:

            • Novel partnerships and collaborations
            • Robust interdisciplinary training
            • Conscientious and explicit use of research and evidence
            • Pioneering innovations in nursing education
            values
            Values
            • Social justice
            • Diversity
            • Lifelong learning
            • Teamwork
            • Integrity
            • Scholarship
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            The ABSN program is for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who want to pursue nursing. It’s a fast-track program that takes about 12 months to complete and combines theory with clinical education to prepare students for a nursing career. 

            1 Year (3 Semesters)
            On Campus
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
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            A program that provides practical skills and medical knowledge through hands-on experiences, preparing students for successful nursing careers.

            2 Years (4 Semesters)
            On Campus
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring Application
            : Fall Application
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            Our RN to BSN program allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree while working in the field, enhancing your academic and professional experiences as you advance your education.

            : Spring Application
            : Fall Application
            20 Months (5 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Spring 2026 Priority Application Deadline
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            Enhance patient care with our ELMSN-CM program, emphasizing problem-solving and decision-making skills for effective resource coordination, patient assessment, and care delivery.

            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Spring 2026 Priority Application Deadline
            27 Months (7 Semesters)
            On Campus
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Curriculum
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Spring 2026 Priority Application Deadline
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            Our ELMSN-FNP program is tailored for non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders seeking to specialize in family-centered care as advanced practice nurses. 

            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Spring 2026 Priority Application Deadline
            39 Months (10 Semesters total; 4 semesters prelicensure and 6 graduate FNP)
            On Campus
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
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            Guide patients and families to access optimal treatment plans, educate them about conditions, and advocate within diverse healthcare settings.

            15 Months (4 Semesters)
            On Campus
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
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            Our MSN-CLE program equips practicing nurses with advanced clinical leadership and informatics knowledge, laying the groundwork for effective teaching in nursing education. 

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            5 Semesters
            Hybrid
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Rolling Admission through December 2024
            : Summer 2025 Application Deadline
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            Our MSN-FNP program is an online program with two three-day on-campus residencies, focusing on holistic care, prevention, and advanced clinical practice across the life span.  

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Rolling Admission through December 2024
            : Summer 2025 Application Deadline
            Full-time: 20 Months (5 Semesters); Part-time: 24 Months (6 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
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            Nurses are prepared to be change agents within healthcare and deliver holistic primary care across the life span, emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and advanced clinical practice. 

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            Full-time: 2.5 Years (8 Semesters); Part-time: 3 Years (10 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            "/>

            Tailored for various master’s-prepared and advanced practice roles, this program equips nursing leaders with skills to enhance healthcare and implement evidence-based research. 

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            Full-time: 20 Months (5 Semesters); Part-time: 40 Months (10 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Fall Application
            "/>

            Our program equips nurses with advanced skills to provide comprehensive mental health care, addressing the complex needs of people with psychiatric disorders. 

            : Fall Application
            3 Years (9 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Application period opens (for fall 2025)
            : Application submission deadline (for fall 2025)
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            SMU’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program offers advanced anesthesia training, diverse clinical experiences, and preparation for leadership roles in healthcare, ensuring high-quality patient care. 

            : Application period opens (for fall 2025)
            : Application submission deadline (for fall 2025)
            36 Months
            Hybrid
            WSCUC and COA
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
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            Our FNP Certificate program equips MSN-prepared RNs with a blend of online and on-campus learning, focusing on holistic care, prevention, and advanced clinical practice across the patient's life span. The program’s modality is ideal for busy RNs seeking excellence with flexibility. 

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            20 Months (5 Semesters)
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum
            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            "/>

            Make an impact in one of the most critical areas of healthcare and help patients thrive. 

            : Spring 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Summer 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            : Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
            5 Semesters
            Online
            WSCUC, CCNE
            Sequential Course Curriculum

            Faculty

            Our nursing faculty prepare more nurses in Northern California than anyone. Their expertise in best practices, outcomes-based healthcare, and interprofessional simulation is unrivaled. They prepare nurses for careers in all levels of the field, from entry-level clinical positions to advanced careers in primary care and nursing leadership.

            j santos headshot

            Jerome Santos

            DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, JDc Assistant Professor
            Gigi Guan

            Gigi Guan

            BSN, RN Adjunct Assistant Instructor
            Nikki Love

            Nikki Love

            DNP, FNP-BC Assistant Director
            evelyn-myrick

            Evelyn Myrick

            MSN, FNP Adjunct Assistant Instructor
            Nurse practicing on a fake arm drawing blood

            Hands-on Learning

            Our nursing programs emphasize experiential learning, allowing you to put theory into practice in real and simulated situations.

            Learn More

            SMU Perspectives

            Students talking and standing near Oakland estuary
            Simulation is a necessity. I am certain that it does one of two things: assist you in becoming a competent, safe anesthesia practitioner or reinforce that you are a competent, safe anesthesia provider.

            Bradley Burch CRNA ’11

            College of Nursing News