For more than seven decades, Sacramento has been home to one of California’s most enduring nursing programs. What began as a small offering in the early 1950s has grown into a school recognized for shaping the future of health care in the region. At a time when the demand for well-trained nurses was only beginning to rise, Sacramento State College took the bold step of preparing registered nurses for baccalaureate degrees. By the late 1950s, the campus welcomed its first official class of nursing students, a group of 38 who would help set the standard for those who followed.
Through the years, the program steadily expanded, earning distinction as a freestanding Division of Nursing in the late 1960s and later as a School of Nursing in 2011. Along the way, milestones such as the creation of graduate programs, the launch of a School Nurse Credential track, and the adoption of advanced simulation technology underscored its commitment to innovation. Most recently, the School received approval for its new BSN-DNP program, marking a significant step in advancing doctoral-level nursing education.
Across all its programs, the School of Nursing has over 500 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled. Guided by 23 full-time faculty and more than 70 part-time instructors, the School continues to honor its mission of preparing nurses to lead with care, integrity, and advocacy.
Programs That Shape the Future of Nursing
The School of Nursing at California State University, Sacramento, offers a broad spectrum of programs designed to prepare nurses for the many paths the profession demands. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue the pre-licensure BSN program or enter through the ADN/RN-BSN track. For those advancing beyond the bachelor’s degree, the School provides a School Nurse Credential program, a School Nurse MSN, and, until recently, a generalist MSN program. Looking ahead, the School is preparing to launch its highly anticipated BSN-DNP program, a three-year course of study that spans eight semesters and requires 72 units of academic and clinical work.
Each program carries a distinction that sets it apart in today’s healthcare landscape. The BSN program has earned a reputation for excellence, boasting first-time pass rates above 97 percent on the RN licensure exam for more than a decade. The generalist MSN program has long produced faculty and leaders who shape the region’s nursing workforce.
Meanwhile, the School Nurse Credential program stands as the largest in California, enrolling about 100 nurses each year and sending graduates into nearly every school district in the state. Together, these programs highlight the School’s enduring role in advancing nursing education and practice.
Leadership with a Personal Perspective
Dr. Mary Maguire serves as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Sacramento State. She stepped into this role after years of leadership in the Department of Criminal Justice, bringing a wide lens to how different programs within the college work together. Her understanding of nursing runs deeper than administration.
With her mother being a nurse, she has seen firsthand the dedication and challenges the profession requires. To students striving for admission, she encourages persistence and hard work. To those already admitted, she reminds them that the faculty are here to support, guide, and shape their journey.
Excellence Through Accreditation
Accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education plays a central role in shaping the School of Nursing’s standards and outcomes. Every program’s curriculum is carefully aligned with the AACN Essentials, ensuring students gain both foundational knowledge and real-world competencies. The School has embraced competency-based education, a model that emphasizes measurable skills and readiness for practice.
This commitment to rigorous standards has resulted in a strong history of meeting and exceeding accreditation requirements. For students, it means consistent preparation for professional success. For faculty, it fosters an environment that attracts innovative educators dedicated to advancing nursing education and practice.
Resources That Bring Learning to Life
The School of Nursing at Sacramento State offers students access to resources that mirror real-world practice. At the heart of this is an 8,000-square-foot simulation center equipped with high-fidelity rooms for pediatrics, adult care, and birthing, alongside a newborn nursery, pediatric ward, and multiple labs. Faculty with specialized training guide students through scenarios that build confidence and clinical judgment.
Interprofessional education further enriches learning, with nursing students collaborating with peers in fields like speech therapy. Strong partnerships with hospitals and community agencies provide outstanding clinical placements, advisory input, and priority hiring, ensuring graduates are prepared for today’s healthcare demands.
Faculty Dedicated to Excellence
Sacramento State’s School of Nursing is guided by faculty who combine deep experience with genuine passion for student success. Many are alumni, carrying forward the school’s traditions while adapting to today’s healthcare needs. Their dedication was clear during the pandemic, when they doubled workloads to ensure students met clinical requirements and graduated on time.
Many maintain clinical practice, ensuring teaching reflects current realities. Faculty research focuses on nursing education, interprofessional collaboration, and technology, with international recognition for work on preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia. Leadership adds a global perspective, having overseen major milestones such as facility upgrades, tenure pathways, and new programs.
A Campus That Supports Learning and Growth
The School of Nursing at Sacramento State fosters an environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Spacious labs and study areas allow students to practice skills at their own pace, while faculty offer tutoring and additional study sessions to meet evolving needs. Student organizations, including Men in Nursing and the California Student Nurses Association, provide leadership and community-building opportunities.
Through Health Hive, students engage with the community beyond the classroom. The university complements this with robust support services, from health care and food assistance to emergency housing and childcare, ensuring students have the resources to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Sacramento State holds designations as a Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Black Serving Institution, intentionally supporting historically underserved students. The School of Nursing offers extra tutoring and personal support to ensure student success.
While the pre-licensure BSN program does not admit international students, the university provides extensive services for them, and the School plans to include international learners in the upcoming DNP program, furthering its inclusive mission.
Programs That Drive Learning
The School of Nursing organizes learning through specialized programs rather than departments. The paramedic program operates under nursing leadership, providing additional clinical exposure. Post-licensure students contribute to skills labs, enhancing the experience for all participants.
The school’s diverse program offerings, combined with proximity to other health disciplines, foster interprofessional education. This structure ensures students gain hands-on practice, collaboration skills, and exposure to multiple facets of healthcare, preparing them for a dynamic and team-based professional environment.
Recent Achievements in Healthcare Education
The School of Nursing is set to launch a BSN-DNP program. Designed to prepare hospital nurse educators and leaders, the program combines online coursework with a short on-campus session each August to build a scholarly community. Applications for the new DNP program are now open for fall 2026 admission. This program will prepare graduates to become Certified Nurse Educators and/or Certified Nurse Leaders.
In spring 2025, a pre-licensure student won first place at the campus research symposium for work on interprofessional collaboration in opioid care, reflecting the School’s emphasis on real-world learning, innovation, and preparing graduates to make meaningful impacts in healthcare settings.
Future Directions
Following accreditation of the DNP program, the School plans to develop certificate programs, starting with a Certified Nurse Educator Novice program. Discussions are underway with the Department of Criminal Justice to create Forensic Nursing and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certificates, the first in the region. Additional plans include renewing the Clinical Nurse Specialist curriculum and exploring certificates for Certified Public Health Nurse and post-master’s Nurse Practitioner in mental health or pediatrics.
Quote
“Nursing can be a challenging major to be admitted into. Work hard and not give up on your dreams of becoming a nurse.”
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