Nursing FAQs

The length of nursing school depends on the degree and pathway chosen. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) typically takes two years. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes four years in a traditional direct-entry program, or two years in a transfer pathway for students who have already completed prerequisite coursework. An accelerated BSN (ABSN) for degree holders can be completed in 12 to 18 months. Entry-level master's programs, designed for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, typically run two to two-and-a-half years.

At Pepperdine, the BSN is offered as a four-year direct-entry pathway or a two-year transfer pathway. The Entry Level Master's in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (ELM-CNL) is 29 months.

Nursing school is academically rigorous and clinically demanding. Students cover complex subjects including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and evidence-based practice, while simultaneously completing supervised clinical rotations in real healthcare settings.

The workload requires strong time management, critical thinking, and the ability to apply classroom knowledge in high-pressure clinical environments. Standardized exams, including NCLEX preparation, are woven throughout the curriculum. Most students find nursing school challenging but deeply rewarding, particularly as they begin to see the direct impact of their training on patient care.

Clinical hour requirements are not standardized to a single national minimum. Instead, accreditors require programs to provide sufficient, planned clinical experiences to demonstrate student competency. Most prelicensure BSN programs include approximately 700 to 1,000 supervised clinical hours across required content areas. State boards of nursing, including California's BRN, set their own curriculum requirements that programs must meet for state approval.

At Pepperdine, the BSN program includes 750+ supervised clinical hours, and the ELM-CNL program includes 850+ supervised clinical hours, both completed in partnership with leading healthcare organizations throughout the Los Angeles and Ventura County area.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the national median salary for registered nurses is approximately $93,600 per year, with a median hourly rate of around $45. Salaries vary significantly by state, specialty, and experience level.

California is consistently among the highest-paying states for nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024) reports the average annual wage for registered nurses in California is approximately $148,330, with wages typically ranging from about $100,000 to $209,000 depending on experience, specialty, and location. Nurses in advanced roles, such as clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) or nurse practitioners (NPs), generally earn more than general staff RNs.

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a two-year degree typically offered through a community college. It qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and work as a registered nurse. An ADN is generally a faster and less expensive path into nursing, but it offers a narrower scope of education.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree that includes broader coursework in leadership, public health, nursing research, and community-based care. Many hospitals prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses. A BSN also provides a stronger foundation for advancing into graduate-level nursing programs.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate degree that prepares graduates for entry-level registered nursing practice. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain licensure as an RN.

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that builds on a nursing foundation. It prepares nurses for advanced knowledge, leadership, systems-based practice, and specialized roles depending on the program’s focus. MSN-prepared nurses typically take on greater leadership responsibility, earn higher salaries, and have expanded career options compared to BSN-prepared nurses.

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and an entry-level Master's in Nursing (ELM) both result in a graduate nursing degree, but they are built for different starting points. A traditional MSN is designed for nurses who already hold a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree and an active RN license, and it focuses on building that existing foundation into specialized, leadership, or advanced roles.

An ELM degree is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and have no prior nursing background. Rather than requiring a BSN first, an ELM program combines prelicensure nursing education, the coursework and clinical training needed to become a registered nurse, with graduate-level specialization, all within a single program. Different schools may use different names for this type of program, such as direct-entry MSN, graduate entry nursing, or master's entry into nursing, but they generally follow the same model.

No. Earning a BSN makes graduates eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination, the national licensure examination for registered nurses. Passing the NCLEX-RN exam and submitting a licensure application to the relevant state nursing board are what officially confer the title and legal standing of registered nurse. The degree and license are two distinct requirements, and both are necessary to practice as an RN.

Yes. Entry-level master's in nursing programs (also called direct-entry or ELM programs) are specifically designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and want to enter nursing at the graduate level, without first earning a BSN.

Pepperdine's Entry Level Master's in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (ELM-CNL) is for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline and want a direct, accelerated path to a Master of Science in Nursing and RN licensure.

The timeline depends on the pathway. For nurses who already hold a BSN, a traditional MSN program typically takes 18 months to two years of full-time study. Part-time or online MSN programs can take longer.

For individuals who do not yet have a nursing degree, an entry-level master's program takes longer because it encompasses both the prelicensure nursing education and the post-licensure graduate-level specialization. Pepperdine's ELM-CNL program is 29 months, or 7 semesters.

The United States is experiencing a significant and growing nursing shortage driven by several factors: an aging nursing workforce moving toward retirement, high rates of burnout and attrition accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging general population requiring more healthcare services, and a shortage of nursing faculty limiting program capacity.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 166,000 openings expected annually. Some projections estimate a shortfall of more than 350,000 nursing positions nationally by the late 2020s.

For prospective nursing students, the shortage translates to strong and sustained job prospects, competitive starting salaries, and high demand across nearly every care setting and geography, including California. 

The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating registered nurses in California. The BRN establishes the requirements for RN licensure, approves nursing education programs operating in the state, investigates complaints against licensees, and oversees the renewal and maintenance of nursing licenses.

All nursing programs operating in California, including those at Pepperdine, must receive and maintain approval from the California BRN. Graduates of BRN-approved programs are eligible to apply for California RN licensure after passing the NCLEX-RN Exam. 

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), also known as the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), is an agreement among participating states that allows nurses to hold a single multistate license and practice in any NLC member state without obtaining an additional license for each state.

As of 2026, 43 states and jurisdictions participate in the NLC. California is not currently a member of the NLC. Nurses who are licensed in California and wish to practice in other states, or nurses licensed in other states who wish to practice in California, must obtain a separate California RN license through the California Board of Registered Nursing BRN.

Admission requirements vary by program and degree level, but generally include strong grades in science prerequisites, a competitive GPA, letters of recommendation, and a clear sense of purpose for pursuing nursing.

Pepperdine's ELM-CNL program requires an undergraduate degree with a 3.300+ GPA, completion of nine prerequisite courses within seven years, current BLS CPR certification, the NursingCAS application, the Pepperdine Waves application ($75 fee), two essays, and two letters of recommendation (one from faculty, one from a current supervisor).

Pepperdine's BSN program requires the Common Application for first-year applicants or the Pepperdine Transfer Application for transfer applicants, official transcripts, and an academic recommendation. Transfer applicants also need a 3.0 GPA and 60 to 64 units of required coursework; standardized test scores are optional for both groups.

Graduating high school students have two primary pathways into nursing: a four-year BSN program or a two-year ADN program at a community college followed by an optional transition to a BSN. The BSN path is increasingly preferred by employers and provides a stronger foundation for long-term career growth.

At Pepperdine, the direct-entry four-year BSN program is designed for students entering directly from high school. Students complete general education and prerequisite coursework during their first two years at the Malibu campus before transitioning to the Calabasas campus for nursing coursework, skills and simulation training, and clinical practicum experiences. Upon graduation, students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination. Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN and meet state requirements may obtain California Registered Nurse licensure and are also eligible to apply for Public Health Nurse certification in California.

Yes, Pepperdine's prelicensure nursing programs are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and by Pepperdine University’s national accreditor, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Pepperdine University are pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Pepperdine's School of Nursing currently offers two programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):  available as a four-year direct-entry program for students applying from high school, or a two-year transfer program for students who have already completed prerequisite coursework at another institution. The four-year pathway begins at the Malibu campus and transitions to the Calabasas campus for nursing coursework, skills and simulation training, and clinical practicum experiences, while the two-year transfer pathway is entirely at the Calabasas campus. Graduates of both pathways are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and, upon obtaining California RN licensure, may apply for California Public Health Nurse certification.
• Entry Level Master's in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (ELM-CNL): a 29-month, in-person graduate program at the Calabasas campus for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. The program prepares graduates for RN licensure through the NCLEX-RN examination and provides the educational foundation necessary to pursue Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification.

The application process depends on the program:

• BSN (4-year direct-entry): Apply through the Common Application, available each year starting August 1.
• BSN (2-year transfer): Apply through the Pepperdine Transfer Application.
• ELM-CNL: Apply through NursingCAS.