Welcome to the UP College of Nursing (UPCN)!
The College of Nursing is part of the University of the Philippines, the National University, and plays a significant role in shaping the nursing profession in the country and in the region. Since its establishment in 1948 and drawing from earlier foundations of nursing education in the country, the UPCN has carried a responsibility to lead the profession and contribute to health, scholarship, and service. It has been designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Leadership in Nursing Development since 1989 and a CHED Center of Excellence since 1996.
We offer degree programs in nursing that prepare nurses to serve as primary care providers, nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists, nurse leaders/managers, and researchers. Learning takes place through a balance of classroom instruction, research, and supervised clinical and community experiences, allowing students to connect theory with practice. Students are trained in close collaboration with the Philippine General Hospital and other partner institutions. These settings provide opportunities to develop competence, discipline, and a clear understanding of nursing’s role within the broader health system.
We are involved in research projects that impact nursing and health at the national and regional levels. We offer continuing education and community extension services in partnership with the Department of Health, the World Health Organization, and other key partners in the country and in the region.
As Dean, I invite you to the UPCN. We welcome individuals who are prepared to strive for honor, excellence, and service, and who seek to contribute meaningfully to the improvement of health in the Philippines and beyond.
Sheila R. Bonito, DrPH, MAN, RN
April 9, 1948
The University of the Philippines College of Nursing (UPCN) has stood as a premier institution for nursing education in the Philippines since 1948. It builds upon a rich legacy that began in 1907 with the first formal nursing instruction at the Philippine Training School for Nursing, followed by the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing in 1915. Since then, the UPCN has evolved in step with the nation’s changing health needs and global developments in the profession. It continues to uphold a standard of excellence rooted in academic rigor, public service, and social responsibility.
As part of the National University, the UPCN is mandated to contribute to nation-building through the preparation of nurses who are grounded in science, ethics, and social accountability. The College integrates liberal education with professional nursing training, emphasizing critical thinking, leadership, and service to underserved populations. Instruction is complemented by community engagement, research, and policy-relevant work responsive to national and global health priorities.
The UPCN has played a leading role in the advancement of nursing education in the Philippines. It has contributed to curricular development, competency-based education, and the integration of research and evidence-informed practice in nursing. The College maintains an active research agenda that supports improvements in nursing education, health systems, and population health.
The College has received national and international recognition for its role in nursing development. It has been designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Leadership in Nursing Development since 1989 and has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the Commission on Higher Education since 1996. These designations reflect its sustained contributions to instruction, research, and public service.
Today, the UPCN remains at the forefront of the profession, offering a comprehensive spectrum of degree programs including BS Nursing, MS Nursing (with academic and advanced clinical practice tracks), Master in Nursing Education, and PhD in Nursing. With strong ties to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the College grounds its students in a balance of theory and real-world application. Its graduates are uniquely prepared to excel as primary care providers, clinical nurse specialists, educators, managers, and researchers, ensuring a lasting impact in the Philippines and on the global healthcare landscape.
The University of the Philippines Manila College of Nursing is the premier nursing school that acts as a change agent, serving the health needs of the Filipino people, and provides leadership and excellence in nursing development in the global community.
To strengthen the capabilities of its members and the society as a whole, through relevant education, research, and continuing education, and community extension services
PAASCU Level III Accreditation—granted 02 December 2025, valid until August 2028
World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Leadership in Nursing Development (11 April 2024 to 11 April 2028)
CHED Center of Excellence (01 Jan 2016 to present)
Commission on Higher Education-National Capital Region (CHED-NCR)—Top Performing Schools in November 2025 Nurses Licensure Examination
Professional Regulation Commission: Certifications of Institutional Performance with the National Passing Percentage
2025 May PNLE School Performance
2025 November PNLE School Performance
| Undergraduate Programs |
|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Graduate Programs |
| Master of Science in Nursing |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing |
Facility Description: The Nursing Skills and Simulation Laboratory (NSSL) is equipped with anatomical models, task trainers, various fidelities of human patient simulators, and realistic medical equipment in which students encounter nursing procedures, patient situations, case scenarios, and other teaching-learning activities in the laboratory to support their learning. The simulation rooms provide students with opportunities to enhance the development of nursing skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, critical thinking, and clinical judgment skills in a controlled and safe environment. The nursing skills and simulation laboratory is used throughout the undergraduate and graduate curriculum to complement classroom and clinical experiences in preparing students for competent practice.
Service Name: Skills laboratory
Clients: UPM College of Nursing students and other Institutions
Contact Information: upcnlab.upm@up.edu.ph
Description: The Skills Laboratory is equipped with anatomical models, task trainers, human patient simulators of various fidelities, and realistic medical equipment. It provides a safe, hands-on learning environment where students develop competence and confidence in performing essential nursing procedures and clinical skills.
Service Name: Simulation laboratory
Clients: UPM College of Nursing students and other Institutions
Contact Information: upcnlab.upm@up.edu.ph
Description: The Simulation Laboratory is a controlled environment designed to replicate real-world clinical scenarios for training, education, and research. Using high-fidelity patient simulators and realistic medical equipment, it enables students to develop clinical judgment, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills in a safe and supportive setting. Each simulation experience includes structured debriefing to reinforce learning and promote reflective practice.