Professor and students in training room looking at a skeleton

College of Nursing

Samuel Merritt University has been preparing nurses for more than a century. Today, we offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and nursing certificate programs at four campuses and online.

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
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 
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 
The faculty of College of Nursing are guided by the following values:

  • Social justice
  • Diversity
  • Lifelong learning
  • Teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Scholarship

Degrees Programs

Explore and compare our nursing programs to determine the best path for your career goals.

Program
Degree
Campus Locations
Online

Nursing Education Leader

SMU has set the standard for nursing education in California since our founding in 1909.

91%

First-Time NCLEX Pass Rate

SMU's licensure RN pass rates exceed the national average year-after-year.

1:8

Faculty-to-Student Ratio

Your education is personalized.

86%

Nursing Alumni Employed Within 6 Months

Our graduates successfully join the most trusted profession at some of the highest rates in the country.

Faculty

Our nursing faculty prepare more nurses in Northern California than anyone. Their expertise in best practices, outcomes-based healthcare, and inter-professional 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
Student working at Brighter Beginnings Clinic

Hands-on Learning

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

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Students on campus

Online Programs

You can advance your career on your own schedule with our online options.

Explore

SMU Perspectives

Nurses in simulation lab
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