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College of Nursing

Grow your career in the country’s most trusted profession by enrolling in PNW's College of Nursing, a designated NLN Center of Nursing Excellence.

Kickstart Your Career

Our rigorous programs bring real-world experience to the classroom, building the knowledge you need to succeed. Nursing undergraduates saw a 97% placement rate in the 2023-24 Next Step Survey.

Undergraduate


Graduate

Grace Mumaugh testimonial photo

My research projects have helped me practice evidence-based nursing. This is a really important aspect of nursing, since the field is always evolving and growing, it’s a lifelong commitment to learning.

Britney Daniels

PNW’s DNP program gave me a deeper understanding of the systems we work in, not just the clinical side. I now understand why decisions are made, how organizations run and the bigger picture behind organizational changes.

Britney Daniels, ’25, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Felipe Oria testimonial photo

The professors didn’t just teach, they guided, challenged and helped me see the full picture of what nursing really is across so many specialties.

PNW’s DNP program taught me exactly how to search for evidence, evaluate the reliability of research and interpret complex data with confidence. Being able to extract meaningful data and apply it to transform practice and improve care is invaluable.

Braden Butterfield McKinely during commencement

What set this program apart from others was that it wasn’t just about learning theory, it was about applying it. It connected my nursing experience and theory to real practice – suddenly everything clicked.

Braden Butterfield McKinely, ’24, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

A PNW student in a College of Nursing t-shirt

PNW was the college that fit me. I love how close everyone is on campus. The smaller class sizes were perfect for me to learn.

Kayla Felton, ‘27, Nursing

Allison Arnold

Make connections and use your resources... If you make connections or get involved in a committee or club, you can make a group of friends and find like-minded people.

Christopher Pabey

The program is very well formulated and constructed. Everything I’ve learned from the start has been a solid base that I’ve been able to build upon.

Logo: NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education

The Highest Standard

PNW’s College of Nursing is a designated NLN Center of Nursing Excellence. The recognition is given to nursing programs that demonstrate sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, and in student learning and professional development

Learn More About the Accolade

Additional Resources

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Discover Online Degrees

Online Programs

Our online nursing programs offer working nurses a high-quality and affordable pathway to your next credential.

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Take the Next Step

How to Apply

No matter where you are in your career, PNW’s College of Nursing has a program to help you move forward.

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Tools for Success

Student Resources

Explore essential resources to help you on your path to success.

A PNW nursing student conducts a virtual exam with a simulated patient in the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building.

See Yourself

Virtual Tour

Explore the state-of-the-art Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, which has entire sections designed to look just like physicians’ offices or acute care facilities.

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PNW Nursing Programs Recognized Nationally

PNW’s online nursing programs earned top 100 rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs, including a No. 38 placement for the RN-to-BSN program. At the graduate level, PNW’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees ranked nationally in the Top Graduate Nursing programs category.

See Online Program Recognition

See Graduate Program Recognition

A Lifelong Calling: Meet 2026 PNW graduate Loretta Santino

The path to a career in nursing began at home for Chancellor’s Medallion recipient Loretta Santino (BSN’26).

Purdue University Northwest raises over $1.6 million on 2026 PNW Day of Giving

A collective outpouring of generosity from PNW supporters raised a record 3,118 gifts amounting to over $1.6 million on the 13th annual PNW Day of Giving, held April 29.

A lion statue on the PNW Hammond Campus.

PNW’s Nursing and Business graduate programs recognized nationally by U.S. News and World Report

Several of Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) graduate programs in nursing and business were included in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, released April 7.

Important Dates

May 25

Memorial Day Holiday – No Classes & Campuses are Closed

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, there are no classes and campus offices are closed.

Jun 12

First Four-Week Module Ends

The first Four-Week Module ends on June 12, 2026. 

Jun 19

Deadline to Submit Summer 2026 Application to Graduate

The deadline to submit your Summer 2026 Application to Graduate is June 19, 2026.

Jun 26

First Six-Week Module Ends

The First Six-Week Module Ends on June 26, 2026.

Accreditation

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The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) granted continuing accreditation to the baccalaureate, master’s and post-master’s certificate programs with the next evaluation visit scheduled for fall 2027.
See Student Outcomes

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The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) granted accreditation to the post-master’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program with the next evaluation visit scheduled for Spring 2028.
See Accreditation Status