The establishment of a traditional undergraduate nursing program at Pasadena College (now PLNU) began in 1973 through the provision of funds from the professional golfer, Arnold Palmer. Additionally, the RN to BSN program was revised in 2015 in partnership with five local community colleges. Overall, 3000 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates have been taught, shaped, and sent to practice nursing and influence healthcare all over the world. Due to the outstanding reputation of the BSN graduates and the request of the community, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) began in 2002.

MSN graduates are practicing as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), nurse educators, and/or healthcare leaders in academic and healthcare settings. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program started in Fall 2017 as the first doctoral program offered by the University. Building upon students’ expertise and distinct point of view, the DNP program values calling, meeting it with leadership and practical skills that students need to grow into prominent roles within complex health systems.

From the inception of the traditional BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, the Wesleyan Christian faith perspective has been the vital foundation of the nursing curricula and nursing program outcomes for all graduates. This commitment to the integration of faith and learning establishes our unique identity.