National Nurses Week: USD Celebrates the Nurses Shaping the Future of Health Care

As the nation celebrates National Nurses Week from May 6 to 12, the University of San Diego’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is recognizing the students, faculty, alumni, and clinical partners who are helping shape the future of health care through leadership, innovation, and compassionate care.

The recognition comes at a time of significant momentum for the school. In the newly released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science earned national recognition with its Master of Science in Nursing program ranked No. 44 in the nation and its Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked No. 74 in the nation. These rankings also make USD the top-ranked graduate nursing school in San Diego County for both master’s and doctoral nursing programs.

For more than 50 years, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science has played an important role in preparing nurses to meet evolving health care needs. When founding dean Irene Palmer launched the school in 1974, she famously described San Diego as a “nursing education desert.” At the time, aspiring nurses in the region had limited options for earning advanced degrees. Today, the school continues that mission by preparing graduate-level nurses, health care leaders and innovators who are improving patient care in San Diego and beyond.

That commitment to excellence was recently reflected in another major milestone. USD’s 2025 nurse practitioner graduates achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health certification exams. While the program has consistently performed above national averages, this marks the first time in several years that graduates earned a perfect first-time pass rate across both certification pathways.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, simulation team, clinical placement staff, and community preceptors who work together to ensure our graduates are prepared to provide exceptional care,” said Laura Truman, PhD, director of Doctor of Nursing Practice and nurse practitioner programs at USD.

Students are also making an impact well beyond the classroom through hands-on learning experiences that prepare them to serve diverse communities. Throughout the academic year, students volunteer at community health events across San Diego, support underserved populations through outreach initiatives and gain clinical experience in hospitals, clinics and specialty care settings.

From caring for children with Type 1 diabetes at Camp Wana Kura to supporting veterans experiencing homelessness at Stand Down events, students are learning that nursing extends far beyond traditional clinical settings. Others are helping lead initiatives such as the Linda Vista Community Health Fair, where they work directly with local residents to improve access to health education and resources.

Faculty continue to play a vital role in preparing future nurse leaders by advancing research, integrating new technologies into education, and creating innovative learning opportunities for students. Through simulation-based learning, interprofessional collaboration, and emerging discussions around artificial intelligence in health care, students are preparing for a profession that continues to evolve rapidly.

“Nurses are uniquely positioned to lead change because they understand patient care at both the human and systems level,” said Jane M. Georges, PhD, dean of the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. “At USD, we are preparing graduates who lead with compassion while improving health outcomes in their communities.”

As National Nurses Week celebrates the contributions of nurses across the country, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is also looking ahead to the future of the profession. From advanced practice nursing and leadership to informatics and research, USD graduates are helping address complex health care challenges while expanding access to quality care. Guided by the university’s commitment to compassionate service and respect for the dignity of every person, USD nurses are leading with both clinical expertise and heart. This Nurses Week, the school’s message is simple: the future of health care is stronger when nurses lead with love.