Sonoma State University (SSU) has been recognized as one of the top nursing programs in the state for both salary and education of nursing graduates. RN Careers recently ranked SSU the number three school for best nursing programs in California.  

The SSU nursing program has been educating future healthcare professionals for over 40 years, putting over 4,000 students through to careers in the nursing field and beyond. 

Anna Valdez, department chair of nursing, provides her statement on the program’s standards: “We have very little attrition in the nursing programs and near-perfect pass rates for the nursing license exam (96-100%). Another factor that influences salary is that Bay Area and North Bay salaries for nurses are among the highest in the nation. I think our outcomes are so strong in the nursing department because our faculty and students are exceptional. Faculty are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education that prepares competent, compassionate, and culturally informed nurses.” 

The program offers a bachelor and masters degree, both of which follow the curriculum criteria set by the Commission Of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). With instruction requiring both information retention and hands on experience for all students, this program provides all who participate with the required skill set for a successful career in the medical field. Nursing programs at SSU include: Pre-nursing, Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Post-Licensure Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, Master’s of Science in Nursing, and Post Master’s of Science in Nursing. 

Emma McKkay, former SSU nursing student, explains her experience during her time in the program: “ The coursework is rigorous but necessary. This is a fantastic program that prepares students for bedside nursing, however the application process to get into a nursing program is brutal.  Their pre-nursing program has 48 seats despite their nursing program having 24 seats. As students, we are all very aware of how competitive the nursing program application process is, which causes lots of tension between students, and can make it difficult to establish meaningful friendships among your pre-nursing cohort. But overall, the program is one of the best in the state and I was very happy to be a part of it.” 

The core values placed at the center of this program include a foundation for lifelong learning, instilling a broad cultural perspective, becoming an active leader in practice, fostering dynamics for a career to adapt in a fast changing medical environment, and to be a contributor for the well being of any environment their practice is used. 

Matt Marshall, a licensed nurse and SSU nursing graduate, gives his experience with the nursing program: “ Sonoma State’s Nursing program helped prepare me for my career in nursing by giving me the space to learn, not only how to be a nurse, but what kind of nurse I wanted to be. The small class size, individual attention, and outstanding instructors are just some of the things that make SSU’s program different. Within a year of graduation I was working in the regional trauma center’s ICU, and within two years I had been accepted into graduate school at Johns Hopkins University.”

With its competitive coursework, driven students, and top-notch faculty, the SSU nursing program’s recognition as one of the top nursing schools in California comes as no surprise. This program provides a solid foundation for all who graduate to be well equipped in the medical world, and all the esteem it’s receiving is more than well deserved.