Program Start Date(s):
- Spring 2025 — January 13, 2025
- Summer 2025 — May 12, 2025
- Fall 2025 — September 2, 2025
Application Deadline(s):
- Spring 2025 — December 11, 2024
- Summer 2025 — April 25, 2025
- Fall 2025 Priority Deadline — March 1st, 2025
- Fall 2025 — August 15, 2025
All applications submitted after this date will be reviewed based on availability of space.
Start Application
The Selection Process
The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While acknowledging diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it’s a reflection of you as a person.
At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. If you do not meet all of the above criteria, PLNU offers an exceptions policy. Speak with your admissions counselor for more information.
Application Checklist
Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU.
- Documentation of current RN license
Online application for admissions (includes $50 non-refundable application fee). Fee waived if applicant is one of the following: PLNU alum, current or former military and their dependents, PLNU employee.
Official transcripts showing completion of an associate degree, diploma, or bachelor's degree in nursing, and if applicable, a higher-level degree from a regionally accredited college or university*. If you have not completed a degree, please request official transcripts from each school you have attended. (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
Official transcripts must be sent to:
Point Loma Nazarene University
Office of Graduate Admissions
3900 Lomaland Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
*Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
Curriculum Vitae or resume.
Minimum grade point average of 3.0
A personal essay of approximately 250 words identifying a change of practice issue related to your professional goals
- Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.
- Work Experience:
After all application materials are submitted, an interview with the School of Nursing is scheduled.
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*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.
Special Instructions
Health Status
Prior to starting clinical hours, all graduate nursing students must provide evidence that they are physically and emotionally able to perform the duties required. A physical examination by a healthcare provider with information completed on a form provided by the SON is necessary. Students must also provide evidence of current immunizations and tests as required by the SON.
California RN License and CPR Certification
Prior to starting clinical hours, all graduate nursing students must provide evidence of both a California Registered Nurse License issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and a current American Heart Association (AHA) BLS certification. No other CPR certifications or RN licenses are allowable to meet these requirements.
Background Check and Urine Drug Screen
Per agreement with the San Diego Nursing Service Education Consortium and affiliated hospitals, a background check and drug screening will be required prior to your first clinical experience, and within one year of your clinical rotation at Rady’s Children’s Hospital. If a flag occurs from either your background check or drug screening, this may result in immediate dismissal from the Point Loma Nazarene University Master of Science in Nursing clinical courses.
Dilute urine means there is too much water in the urine causing the test to be inconclusive. If you drink too much water before going for your drug screening, the result may be a dilute reading. If you receive a dilute, it will flag your American Data Bank Drug Screen Report.
We recommend no liquids after midnight until you have submitted your a.m. urine specimen. If you are concerned that your urine may be diluted flush that specimen and reschedule your drug screen appointment. (Note that urine is normally yellow in color. If the color is not obviously yellow it may be diluted.)
State Authorization
State authorization is a formal determination by a state that Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is approved to conduct activities regulated by that state. In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online (distance education) courses and/or offer internships within that state. Student location is based on where a student is physically located while taking courses. Students taking face-to-face courses are located in California, regardless of their home state at the time of application.
If a student moves to another state after admission to a program and/or enrollment in an online course, continuation within the program and/or course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized to offer distance education courses in that state. If a student wishes to conduct an internship outside California, they must select a state where it is permitted. It is the student's responsibility to notify PLNU of any change in their physical location, other than incidental travel. Refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online (distance education) and/or internships outside California.
Professional Licensure or Certification
This program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and meets the requirements for licensure or certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. For information about PLNU programs and out-of-state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, please refer to our disclosures page. Information about out-of-state requirements in Nursing are available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Point Loma Nazarene University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
You will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) upon completion of the FNP program.
You will be eligible to take the CNS certification examination by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) upon completion of the CNS population-foci specialty program.
You will be eligible to take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) national certification exam upon the Nursing Education program.
You will be eligible to take the national certification exams, such as Nurse Manager and Leader Certification, Executive Nursing Practice Certification, or Nurse Executive Advanced Certification upon completion of the Healthcare Leadership program.
