PhD in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (PhD)

Loma Linda University grew into a faith-based academic health sciences center built around the integration of health, science and faith. Its Seventh-day Adventist identity shapes a mission focused on serving others. The university offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs and welcomes students with prior college credit as a transfer institution.

Academic options span health professions and include programs in areas such as medicine, genetic counseling, physical therapy assistance and health science. Students have access to hands-on training, research and service opportunities, supported by faculty and program advisors. Personal support is available as students plan their education and prepare for healthcare careers.

The university is in Loma Linda, California, with Los Angeles and the Pacific coast to the west, the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and Palm Springs to the east. Campus visits include personalized weekday golf cart tours, with an option to meet a program advisor or faculty. Sunday tours have limited building access. International students join a community representing more than 80 countries and should understand the university's Seventh-day Adventist, faith-based setting.

This programme is designed for registered nurses seeking to become pediatric acute care nurse practitioners. Students study advanced clinical decision-making for children with complex acute and chronic conditions. The curriculum emphasizes managing rapidly changing health crises and delivering family-centered care across hospital and emergency settings. Clinical training occurs in the Inland Empire region of Southern California.

Focus areas include Pediatric Acute Care, Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, Clinical Leadership, Evidence-Based Practice.

The programme requires a total of 1000 clinical hours, including both practicum and DNP project hours. Core and concentration courses include on-campus requirements for exams and lab sessions, with some synchronous online components.

Graduates enter roles as pediatric acute care nurse practitioners in emergency departments, hospitals, sub-specialty clinics, and intensive care units.

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. A current unencumbered U.S. RN license and a California RN license are required before classes begin. One year of full-time RN experience is required prior to clinical courses.

Hybrid format with on-campus requirements; full-time (3 years 9 months) or part-time (5 years) options available. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes.