Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) is ranked among the 2026 Best Nursing Schools: Master’s by U.S. News & World Report. CGN’s Master of Science in Nursing-Entry (MSN-E) program in Pomona, California, is ranked No. 45 (tied) in the nation. According to CGN Dean Mary Lopez, the college has long stood on the foundation that a master’s degree should be the entry point for nursing, a philosophy that is uncommon in California and nationwide.
The college has significantly expanded its nursing program, growing from 75 students graduating every year to 100. CGN developed an externship program that has been highly successful and well-received by students and community partners. MSN-E students with an affinity for a particular hospital area—such as the operating room, intensive care unit, or pediatrics—receive additional specialized training. Students take the regular curriculum Monday through Thursday, and then those interested in a particular specialty, such as emergency medicine, receive four hours of education with an expert in that area on Friday, followed by clinical experience with a preceptor in that specialty.
According to Dean Lopez, there is a huge nursing shortage in Southern California and across the nation, and nursing schools have never had a better opportunity to place highly qualified, educated nurses with leadership skills into hospitals, clinics, and public health departments. CGN students are highly employable because they make connections in the Nursing Externships, which helps them thrive in the areas they want to focus on.
CGN is introducing an MSN-E program in Lebanon, Oregon in fall 2027 to address the nursing shortage in Oregon. The MSN-E program in Oregon will focus on rural nursing needs, with one strong curriculum component being behavioral health. The college plans to focus on training emergency room nurses who can handle all emergencies and deliver babies, as many hospitals are closing maternity units and women are having to travel farther for prenatal care and delivery.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/westernu-college-of-graduate-nursing-ranked-among-us-news—world-reports-best-nursing-schools-302736295.html