Stanbridge University Named a Top 3 Best Nursing School in Orange County Register’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards 

Celebrating a Top 3 Best Nursing School Recognition 

In its 2026 Best of Orange County feature, the Orange County Register highlighted Stanbridge University’s reputation, graduate success, healthcare programs, and strong licensure outcomes.¹  

The publication also pointed to the university’s culture of service and its commitment to preparing students for healthcare careers. That combination of education, student achievement, and community connection has helped shape the Stanbridge experience in Orange County. 

Nursing Education at Stanbridge University 

Stanbridge University has a long-standing focus on healthcare education, with nursing pathways designed for students at different stages of their educational and professional journeys. 

Current nursing programs include: 

• Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing (LVN) 
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Education (MSN-Ed)² 

Across these pathways, students build nursing knowledge through applicable classroom instruction, skills laboratories, simulation, clinical education, and other hands-on learning experiences.  

Building Nursing Knowledge Through Hands-On Learning 

Preparing for nursing practice requires more than learning concepts from a textbook. Depending on the program, Stanbridge nursing students have opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with hands-on learning through: 

• Nursing skills laboratories 
• High-fidelity simulation 
• Supervised clinical education 
• Patient-care scenarios 
• Clinical reasoning and judgment 
• Evidence-based practice 
• Licensure examination preparation² 

These experiences help students progressively connect nursing knowledge with patient care, communication, decision-making, and the responsibilities of their respective nursing pathways. 

A Culture of Learning, Service, and Community 

The Orange County Register’s feature also highlighted a defining part of the Stanbridge identity: a commitment to service and human connection.¹ 

As Stanbridge describes its community: 

“We are a community of problem-solvers and humanitarians.” 

That philosophy extends beyond healthcare education. Through community service, Outreach initiatives, student leadership, and other opportunities, students can engage with communities while developing professionally. 

For future healthcare professionals, those experiences can reinforce an important idea: healthcare involves not only technical knowledge and clinical skills, but also communication, service, collaboration, and empathy. 

What Should Students Consider When Choosing a Nursing School? 

Community recognition can be meaningful, but prospective nursing students should consider the complete educational experience when comparing schools. 

Important factors may include:

Factor	What to Review
Accreditation and Approval	Institutional accreditation and applicable nursing program approval or accreditation
Licensure Outcomes	Recent NCLEX pass rates and number of test-takers
Clinical Education	How supervised patient-care experiences are incorporated
Simulation and Skills Labs	Resources for practicing nursing skills and clinical decision-making
Program Structure	Curriculum, schedule, admissions requirements, and expected completion time
Student Support	Tutoring, advising, academic resources, and career support
Cost and Financial Aid	Total educational costs and financial aid available for those who qualify

Together, these factors can help prospective students determine whether a nursing program aligns with their educational needs and long-term goals. 

Thank You to the Orange County Community 

Being named a Top 3 Best Nursing School in the Orange County Register’s 2026 Best of Orange County Readers’ Choice Awards is a recognition Stanbridge is proud to share with its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Orange County community.¹ 

For Stanbridge, the recognition reflects the people who bring the university’s healthcare education mission to life every day, from students preparing for their future professions to graduates serving patients and communities. We are grateful to everyone who voted and to the Orange County community for this recognition. 

Students interested in nursing education can explore Stanbridge University’s current nursing programs or contact Stanbridge University. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Footnotes 

¹ Orange County Register, Best Nursing School: Best of Orange County 2026 https://www.ocregister.com/2026/09/16/best-nursing-school-best-of-orange-county-2026/ 

² Stanbridge University, Nursing Programs https://www.stanbridge.edu/programs#nursing