REDDING, Calif.—Simpson University’s Betty M. Dean School of Nursing has climbed five places to No. 12 in a ranking of the best nursing programs in California by RegisteredNursing.org.

Of the 126 California schools assessed for the Best RN Programs ranking, Simpson’s School of Nursing is the highest ranked private university—and the only one in the top 25.

To determine the rankings, past and present NCLEX-RN “pass rates,” weighted by year, were analyzed. The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a standardized exam used by state nursing boards to determine if candidates are prepared for entry-level nursing practice.

The Betty M. Dean School of Nursing, which is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), has a three-year average of a 97 percent pass rate on the NCLEX. 

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In 2018, the School of Nursing was ranked at No. 17 by RegisteredNursing, which congratulated the university and its nursing program on its “stellar performance.”

Named after Dr. Betty Dean, a longtime Simpson University trustee, former nurse and former Butte College president, the School of Nursing has graduated more than 190 four-year bachelor of science in nursing students since the BSN program began in 2011. In addition, more than 175 students have graduated from Simpson’s RN-BSN Track, designed for registered nurses who want to obtain their bachelor’s degree.

In addition to its CCNE accreditation, the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing is also accredited by the Western Senior College and University Commission and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Learn more at simpsonu.edu/nursing.

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Simpson University, founded in 1921, moved to Redding almost 30 years ago and will celebrate its centennial in 2021. In addition to offering 25 majors in its traditional undergraduate program, the university has graduated almost 4,000 North State adults from its ASPIRE degree-completion program, and nearly 3,000 from its School of Education. It has a highly ranked School of Nursing, a seminary, and master’s programs in counseling psychology and organizational leadership.

Simpson is launching new athletics programs in track and field, swimming and diving, women’s wrestling, and men’s volleyball, as well as a bass fishing team. The university is also working to better serve transfer students from community colleges through its commitment to Associate Degree for Transfer agreements, and it is offering new scholarships.

Learn more about Simpson University at simpsonu.edu. Follow university news at simpsonunews.com.