Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University College of Nursing in Oakland, California prides itself on preparing nurses for more than a century - since 1909. The mission of the Nursing School is to provide compassionate and skilled clinicians and nurse leaders. The faculty is known for its large number of graduates who enter all levels of the field from clinical positions to advanced placement in primary care and nursing leadership in Northern California and the Central Valley. They all have expertise in best practices, outcome-based healthcare and inter-professional simulation. In line with SMU’s core values, the programs prepare nurses to promote health and well-being across diverse populations and communities, who recognize the importance of social determinants of health, and practice with compassion, kindness, and respect.

Undergraduate programs – The two-year BSN is designed for students who have completed their general education and prerequisite courses at another institution. They are participate in hands-on learning experiences. The clinical courses are in a hospital and/or community settings, giving them opportunities to put theory into practice. In addition to acquiring the medical knowledge and technical skills necessary to practice as a nurse, students develop the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills needed to thrive as part of an integrated health care team. The BSN program serves as a stepping stone to move into leadership, education, or an advanced practice nursing specialty. Many graduates go on to earn a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice. There is an accelerated option for those with a bachelor’s in another field that can be done in one year. SMU’s RN to BSN program was created for working nurses. Over the 20-month program, they earn their degree part-time. As a licensed nurse with a solid foundation, they can use any previous academic and professional experience.

Graduate programs – Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing programs at Samuel Merritt University must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program and an active Registered Nurse license. A Master of Science in Nursing is either in case management or as a nurse practitioner. The MSN FNP program focuses on working as a Primary Care provider in outpatient settings. The program runs two calendar years plus one semester (seven semesters, including two summer semesters), for a total of 90-semester units. Students must enroll full time in the first four semesters. It is possible to reduce the course load to part-time after the fourth semester. An entry level MSN program is offered in Oakland and Sacramento.

The curriculum blends theory, research, and practice and prepares students to make evidence-based decisions and work independently or in tandem with other caregivers. Graduates are trained to improve the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve and transform their healthcare experience through novel partnerships and collaborations, robust interdisciplinary training, conscientious and explicit use of research and evidence, and pioneering innovations in nursing education.

The nursing school at Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakland, California. Its nursing programs are accredited by ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA.

Degree types you can earn at Samuel Merritt University include Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing, and the school provides its offerings to students via campus and hybrid formats. The level of nursing programs offered to nursing students include Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, Master Degree, MSN to DNP and Post Master's NP Certificate level degrees.

For nursing students in California, the state average NCLEX-RN passing rate for ADN programs is 90.30% and for BSN programs is 90.32%. The average national NCLEX-RN passing rate for ADN programs is N/A% and for BSN programs is N/A%.

Out of 160 nursing schools in California, the nursing program at Samuel Merritt University ranks #35 in the state, and out of more than 1,700 nursing programs nationally, it ranks #284. It's 3-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate is 90.80%, giving the Samuel Merritt University an overall grade of A.

Nursing Program Stats at a Glance for Samuel Merritt University

• Grade: A
• NCLEX-RN Passing Rate Average: 90.80%
• California State Rank: 35
• National Rank: 284

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In-state nursing schools are preferable to out-of-state programs as your tuition and logistics for attending school will be considerably less than if you attended school out-of-state. Online nursing schools are also an option.

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