Nursing Success! Seminar
Explore nursing while helping build a healthcare workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.
Experience nursing at SMU
The Nursing Success! Seminar is a free, three-day program designed to introduce prospective students to the nursing profession while expanding access to nursing education for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Participants explore nursing careers through hands-on experiences, campus tours, and conversations with faculty, students, and practicing nurses. Along the way, they gain a clearer understanding of nursing school and the pathways available at Samuel Merritt University.
Held twice each year at our Oakland and Sacramento campuses, the seminar reflects Samuel Merritt University's commitment to expanding access to nursing education and building a healthcare workforce that better reflects the communities it serves.
Why Attend the Nursing Success! Seminar?
Experience nursing before you apply.
Participants have the opportunity to:
- Explore careers in nursing and the impact nurses have on patient care.
- Tour Samuel Merritt University's Health Sciences Simulation Center, laboratories, and learning spaces.
- Meet current nursing students, faculty, alumni, and practicing healthcare professionals.
- Learn about admissions, prerequisite coursework, financial aid, and the application process.
The seminar is offered at no cost, but space is limited and an application is required.
Eligibility / Seminar Tracks
Find the pathway that's right for you.
Choose from three seminar tracks designed for students at different stages of their nursing education.
Track One: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
For students completing prerequisite coursework who plan to transfer into Samuel Merritt University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Applicants should have completed at least 60 semester units (90 quarter units) of transferable coursework.
Track Two: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
For students seeking a fast pathway into nursing through Samuel Merritt University's accelerated bachelor's program.
Applicants should have completed at least 75 transferable credits.
Track Three: Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing Program
For students who have earned—or will earn—a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing discipline and wish to pursue nursing through Samuel Merritt University's Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing program.
Application Details: What You’ll Need to Apply
To apply for the program, you’ll need unofficial transcripts from all of the institutions you’ve attended since high school as well as a personal statement of up to 1,000 words explaining what you hope to gain from the program.
Note: The next Nursing Success Seminar will be scheduled twice a year. Please check back periodically for updates and registration details.
Questions? Please contact:
Mariana Hernandez
Admission Team Manager | College of Nursing Pre-Licensure Programs
Samuel Merritt University
mhernandez@samuelmerritt.edu
Applying to SMU in the future?
While attending the SMU Nursing Success! Seminar will not guarantee you admission into the BSN, ABSN, or ELMSN programs, we hope it will ease some of the stress of the application process. If you choose to apply to SMU after participating, there will be additional benefits, which will be discussed during the seminar.
Nursing Success! FAQ
How do I apply?
The APPLY button will be activated on the Nursing Success! Seminar webpage once applications are being accepted for the next seminar.
***Students who’ve submitted an application for the Spring 2027 and/or Summer 2027 cohort will be given priority consideration***
When is the seminar held?
The seminar is held twice a year, typically once in the Spring and another one in the Fall.
Who is the seminar for?
The seminar is presented via three simultaneous tracks:
Track 1—BSN Direct-Entry: Open to participants currently completing pre-nursing coursework at California’s community colleges or four-year institutions. This track is only available to prospective students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree and who are interested in SMU’s direct-entry transfer BSN program.
Track 2—ABSN: Open to participants who are ready to begin a nursing career—no bachelor’s degree required—and equips them for the field in just 12 months with 75 transferable credits. and are interested in SMU’s accelerated bachelor of science in nursing.
Track 3 – ELMSN: This track is open to participants who either have or will have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and are interested in SMU’s entry-level master of science in nursing program with a focus in either family nurse practitioner or case-management.
How does one qualify for the seminar?
Successful applicants to Track 1 must have completed a minimum of 60 semester units of college-level coursework at either a California community college or four-year institution. Successful applicants to Track 2 must have completed a minimum of 75 semester units of college-level coursework at either a California community college or four-year institution. Applicants to Track 3 must have earned or will earn a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Applicants may not have been previously enrolled in a nursing program. Your overall college GPA will be taken into consideration; since there is limited space, expect acceptance to be competitive.
How many participants are accepted to the seminar?
Participation is limited with 200 participants being selected.
Where does the seminar take place?
The Nursing Success! Seminar will be held on the SMU campuses in Oakland and Sacramento, California.
Are there any costs or out-of-pocket expenses?
There is no program cost associated with the seminar. Seminar participants will be expected to cover their own travel and parking expense to and from the campus. Breakfast and lunch are included as part of the seminar.
How do I apply for the Nursing Success! Seminar?
In addition to a complete application, please submit a complete set of your unofficial transcripts from all colleges attending/attended (merge all transcripts into one document before uploading to the application) and a typewritten response to the personal statement.
When are the application deadlines?
Registration will open on July 1, 2026 and registration will close August 21, 2026 for the Fall 2026 Nursing Success Seminar. These dates may be subject to change.
When will I know if I’ve been accepted?
Successful participants will be notified via email about 30 days before the seminar, around early September 2026. These dates may be subject to change.
