4 Things You Need to Know about Samuel Merritt University’s School of Nursing

A reputation for outstanding clinical education.

Students consistently rank reputation as the top reason they choose SMU. Valuable clinical experiences and the high pass rate on licensing exams contribute to the University’s prestige.

In Samuel Merritt nursing programs, students begin their clinical education very early—sometimes within 6 weeks of starting a program . SMU’s hands-on approach to learning provides students with opportunities to practice their skills through simulation technology and clinical placements.

SMU partners with dozens of Bay Area hospitals and community-based healthcare agencies where nursing students are exposed to a wide variety of patients and professional practices during their clinical rotations.

Enrolls a diverse student body to improve care for our diverse region.

Diversity has long been one of the University’s aspirational values and ongoing commitments. Providing compassionate care in diverse communities is embedded in SMU’s mission, and students of color now represent 60 percent of the nursing student body.

SMU believes that a more diverse healthcare workforce is key to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for all members of our communities.

Boasts the highest salaries for undergraduate alumni in all of California.

Samuel Merritt University came in first among California higher education institutions and fifth in the nation on the U.S. Department of Education’s most recent College Scorecard for how much nursing students earn after receiving a bachelor’s degree. The median salary for SMU students on financial aid 10 years after starting their undergraduate nursing studies is $106,700, according to the scorecard, demonstrating that SMU is effectively preparing our students for success.

4. Offers more than a dozen options to start or advance a career in nursing.

SMU offers many pathways to a career in nursing. In addition to three bachelor’s degree options, the university offers master’s degrees in nurse anesthesia, Family Nurse Practitioner, and case management as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Online programs and certificates toward nursing specialties make SMU a convenient option for working professionals. Visit our Student Voices page to learn more about the various backgrounds SMU students come from and how they intend to apply what they learn in their field.

“Samuel Merritt has been preparing professional nurses for 100 years – we know how to do it! Join us in a life-long career assisting a diverse society in meeting its health challenges. We strive to enhance the well-being of our patients and ourselves. Depending on your program, you can become a practicing entry-level or advanced practitioner in one to three years. Don’t wait any longer.”

Apply Now

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is the fastest route to a nursing career for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The curriculum is designed to be completed at an intense pace in just 12 months. Students accomplish program objectives in a short period of time by building on previous learning. Courses and clinical instruction are offered in short, intensive courses with minimal breaks as compared to students in traditional entry-level programs.

Learn more: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/admissi… Clinical education partnered with lecture and laboratory instruction is a hallmark of the ABSN program. At the culmination of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX and practice as an RN in a facility of their choosing. Many graduates choose to continue their education to obtain higher-level leadership positions. Samuel Merritt University ABSN NCLEX Pass Rate for First-Time Test Takers in 2015: 91% National Average: 88%

Audrey Berman, PhD, RN
Dean and Professor of Nursing
Samuel Merritt University

510-879-9244
aberman@samuelmerritt.edu

Note: If you have questions about applying to a nursing program, please contact the advisor listed under Admission Information on the web page of the specific program.

Mission
We are committed to educational innovation in theory and practice to prepare highly competent professional nursing leaders who are engaged in the advancement of nursing practice and the improvement of health for diverse populations/peoples.

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