UCSF School of Nursing

We are developing the next generation of nursing leaders. 🩺🌟

U.S. News and World Report has ranked UCSF's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program No. 4 in the nation — and No. 1 in the state of California.

These rankings are based on expert opinions of program quality and statistical data about research, faculty, students, and post-graduate outcomes.

Read our recent story to see which of our DNP specialities made the top 10: https://nursing.ucsf.edu/news/ucsf-dnp-program-ranked-no-1-california-tied-no-4-nation

Image description: Instructors guide DNP students through procedures on mannequins at the UCSF Kanbar Center for Simulation and Clinical Skills.

We laughed, we cried, we clapped, we cheered! 🥳

At Commencement on Tuesday, the UCSF School of Nursing celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Palace of Fine Arts, featuring a keynote address from decorated alum Jian Zhang, DNP, MS, FAAN, and speeches from class speakers Kay Burke, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, and Ashley Moore, PhD, RN.

Read our full recap: https://nursing.ucsf.edu/news/school-nursing-class-2026-stands-equipped-advance-health-worldwide

Image descriptions: 1) The UCSF School of Nursing Class of 2026 gathered at the Palace of Fine Arts for Commencement. 2) Jian Zhang, DNP, MS, FAAN, an internationally renowned health care leader and proud UCSF School of Nursing alum, gives the 2026 keynote address. 3) Ashley Moore, PhD, RN, delivers her address as PhD class speaker. 4) Kay Burke, DNP, MBA, RN, the DNP class speaker, high-fives her cohort on the way to the podium. 5) Selam Kidane (PhD in Sociology) is hooded by her adviser, Howard Pinderhughes, PhD, as class marshal Stella Bialous, DrPH, RN, FAAN, looks on. 6) Sandra Domeracki (PhD in Nursing) embraces adviser Oi Saeng Hong at the 2026 UCSF School of Nursing Commencement at the Palace of Fine Arts. 7) Kimberly Oliveira (Doctor of Nursing Practice) blows kisses to her loved ones in the audience as her advisers place her hood. 8) Jessica Delgado (Doctor of Nursing Practice) pauses on stage as her advisers place her hood. 9) Members of the Class of 2026 applaud their classmates. 10) Janheen Pasqual (Doctor of Nursing Practice) celebrates with her family after the ceremony. 11) Samir Bisteni (Doctor of Nursing Practice) celebrates with his family at the Palace of Fine Arts after the ceremony. 12) Joshua Munday (Doctor of Nursing Practice) celebrates with his loved ones at the Palace of Fine Arts after the 2026 School of Nursing commencement ceremony.

What. A. Day! 🤩🎓🎉

Here's a little preview of our commencement celebration yesterday at the Palace of Fine Arts — more to come in a few days!

Congrats again, Class of 2026! 🥳

Image description: The members of the UCSF School of Nursing Class of 2026, dressed in their regalia, embrace under the rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

The UCSF School of Nursing's Class of 2026 is ready to redefine what's possible in health care and science. 🎓🎉🌟

And we're excited to highlight a few of the talented graduates crossing the stage at commencement tomorrow!

— Kay Burke, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC
Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, UCSF Health
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Q: What’s the most important thing you learned in your program?
A: “The importance of leading with both evidence and empathy to create meaningful change. This program taught me that resilience and community are what gets you through the hardest moments.”

Q: What’s your plan for after graduation?
A: “I am excited to keep learning, advocating, and making a difference in nursing. I want to continue growing as a nurse leader and look forward to disseminating my scholarly work so that others can benefit from my quality improvement project.”

— Fernando Fierro, DNP, MPH, RN
Nurse Executive/Director of Patient Care Services, Shriners Children's Southern California
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Q: What’s the most important thing you learned in your program?
A: “The power and relevance of the DNP in Executive Leadership degree to our nursing profession.”

Q: Is there anyone you want to shout out as key to your degree?
A: “My wife, Angel, who helped me reach the finish line.”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from your program?
A: “Getting together in person on campus each time.”

— Sandra Domeracki, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAOHN
Professor of Community Health Systems, UCSF School of Nursing
Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing

Q: What’s your plan for after graduation?
A: “Get some balance, broaden my world, spend more time with the special people in my life, get my dissertation papers published, and finish postdoctoral work with Dr. Hong.”

Q: Do you have any advice for future grads?
A: “Stay close with your PhD cohort. You will need each other during the qualifying exam and dissertation periods… Writing groups really help. Allow time to be reflective.”

— Selam Kidane, PhD, LCSW
Renal Social Worker, DaVita Kidney Care
Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology

Q: What’s the most important thing you learned in your program?
A: “To never lose your voice.”

— Ashley Moore, PhD, RN
Nursing Fellow, Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and Registered Nurse, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing

Q: What’s the most important thing you learned in your program?
A: “One lesson that stands out is the profound privilege and responsibility we have as researchers to elevate voices that need to be heard. That responsibility does not end with the interview, but it carries forward into how we shape policy, practice, and action.”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from your program?
A: “I still remember how nervous I felt about posting flyers and recruiting participants for my dissertation research. I did not expect that it would become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and help me fall in love with the role of the nursing researcher in a whole new way.”

— Rinoj Mathew, PharmD, MS
PGY2 Health System and Pharmacy Administration Leadership Resident,
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership

Q: What’s your plan for after graduation?
A: “I plan to continue pursuing pharmacy leadership opportunities at UCSF. I’m excited to apply what I learned through MS-HAIL to support meaningful improvements in pharmacy operations and patient care.”

Q: Is there anyone you want to shout out who was key to your degree?
A: “My MS-HAIL classmates, faculty, and mentors for their support and encouragement throughout the program. I’m also grateful for my UCSF pharmacy leadership team and co-residents who helped me grow along the way.”

Image descriptions: Photos of grads and their Q&As arranged across 11 slides with a colorful chromosome pattern in the background resembling confetti.

In just one week, we'll celebrate the UCSF School of Nursing Class of 2026 at Commencement. It's been a long, hard climb, but our graduates have made it to the end — and we are so proud! 🥲👏 🎉

Image description: The UCSF School of Nursing Class of 2025 seated in their regalia, clapping and cheering. Text reads: 1 week until Commencement.

Home-based care is a lifeline to patients who face obstacles in traveling to medical appointments.

But while clinicians who provide this care may enjoy their independence, it can be a lonely experience.

To help nurse practitioners and other providers of home-based care, UCSF School of Nursing experts recently launched the Home-Based Care Learning Collaborative ECHO, a free virtual learning community.

Read our story about this “all teach, all learn” environment: https://nursing.ucsf.edu/scienceofcaring/news/ucsf-launches-learning-collaborative-strengthen-home-based-care

Image description: Nurse practitioner Courtney Gordon, DNP, NP, on the right, cares for a patient in their home in San Francisco.