History

In September, 1973, the late Philip Y. Hahn committed an endowment of $1 million for the establishment of a School of Nursing. It was the overwhelming consensus of professionals in the field that this new school should provide a professional education for Registered Nurses in San Diego leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The first class of students graduated in May, 1976 at the same time the School received its full eight year accreditation from the National League for Nursing. In reponse to the community, the School developed a Master's program in nursing, graduating its first class in May, 1979. Following numerous requests for doctoral education, a feasiblity study was undertaken in 1984 and a Doctor of Nursing Science program was approved by the Board of Trustees. The first doctoral student graduated in June, 1989. In December of 1998, the Board of Trustees approved the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. Students were admitted to the new PhD program beginning in Fall 1999. The two most recent curricular innovations are the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Masters Entry in Nursing Program (MEPN). The Master's Entry Program in Nursing is the School's first program for non-RN students and is designed for the second career student who has a minimum of a bachelor's degree in another field.

Today, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science offers a full array of academic programs.The School is widely known for its dedication to educating leaders in high quality, cost-effective health care for the public.

Mission Statement

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is a community of progressive scholars in an intellectually rigorous, research intensive environment.

We educate graduate level nurses to optimize health, promote healing, and alleviate suffering through reflective practice, knowledge generation, service to the community, and leadership at local and global levels.

We seek to deepen our commitment to social justice by influencing health policy and by promoting an ethical approach to nursing characterized by compassion and respect for the dignity of the individual.

Accreditation

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science baccalaureate and master’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036; (202) 877-6791). Persons who complete the prelicensure component of the master's program are eligible to apply for licensure by the Board of Registered Nursing. The master's clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner programs have Board of Registered Nursing approval.