Holy Names University (HNU) formerly known as Holy Names College , was established in 1868 as an academic community committed to the full development of each student. Holy Names nuns from Montreal came to Oakland , at the request of the Bishop, to establish a college for women. The college, which was once in downtown Oakland at Lake Merritt , is now in the hills of Oakland on 60 areas of property .
Nursing courses have been offered at HNU since 1934 with the first degree program offered in the 1960s. In the 1970s men were admitted making the collegiate experience co-educational. In 1972 the Department of Nursing faculty offered a RN/BSN program, one of the first of its kind in the country, to Registered Nurses who wanted to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. In 1995, HNU in partnership with Kaiser Permanente Hospitals offered the RN/BSN program by interactive video conferencing to 12 hospitals throughout the state of California . In 1997 the MSN program was established. In 2001 HNU and Catholic Healthcare West crafted a contract so the RN/BSN programs could be broadcast by interactive video conferencing to hospitals throughout the state of California . In the fall of 2004 the faculty of nursing and business began offering the MSN/MBA which makes it one of only six institutions offering this particular double degree in the state of California . And in the spring of 2005 the faculty of nursing began offering a unique and much needed program for the preparation of clinical faculty to address the severe shortage of nurse faculty in the state. All of these programs are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Currently the HNU faculty offer two program options in the undergraduate programs for two distinct populations: registered nurses and high school graduates. Both options lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for successful candidates. Both options emphasize critical thinking and ethical decision making and prepare students for the dynamic and ever changing healthcare environment where nurses work with colleagues and care for patients and their families from diverse backgrounds.
The first option is the RN/BSN program, which is designed for registered nurses interested in advancing their careers, is available on campus and by interactive video conferencing in hospitals through the state of California . Classes are scheduled in the evenings and are available at the worksite to accommodate working nurses. International nurses with a California RN license can pursue the same RN/BSN program in a specially designed day time format so they can met the immigration course load requirements.
The second option is the Samuel Merritt College/Holy Names University program whereby students pursue a curriculum of liberal studies at HNU. After completion of two years of study and completion of the pre-nursing courses requirements, the students transfer to SMC for the nursing portion of the program. Eligibility for transfer to SMC is contingent on obtaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 at HNU and completion of the NET test and a background check.
Graduates of both options are eligible for the California Public Health Credential. This credential allows the nurse to function outside acute care arenas in the community. Application for the PHN credential can be downloaded from the California Board of Registered Nursing website.
Graduates of any HNU undergraduate program are known throughout the state as exceptional healthcare professionals who care for their patients and their families using a holistic evidence-based approach. Courses in the programs emphasize the use of research as the basis for nursing action and a holistic approach because nursing today demands proven knowledge, strong decision-making skills and a high degree of compassion.
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