150 new nursing students join the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing

From prelicensure students beginning their nursing journey, to doctoral students advancing their careers, the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing is proud to welcome more than 150 new nursing students for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

This year is especially meaningful for UCLA Nursing as it marks the first academic year of the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing, a renaming that followed the historic and transformative $30 million commitment from southern California businessman and UCLA alum Joe C. Wen and his family. The donation is the largest in UCLA Nursing’s 76+ year history and will support nursing education, elevate student achievement, and drive innovation in nursing research.

To kick off the new school year, students attended the annual New Student Welcome, hosted by nursing’s Student Affairs Office. Welcomed by Associate Dean of Student Affairs Liz Yzquierdo, students heard from faculty leaders as well as Dean Lin Zhan. Students also learned about various services and resources through presentations from the UCLA Office of the Dean of Students, the Center for Accessible Education, and Graduate Student Services. 

In addition, students had the chance to hear from Emily Dobrinska, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN, PHN, a senior nursing professional development specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dobrinska shared insight into her nursing journey, inspiring students to learn and lead with care and compassion.

This year’s 150 new nursing students are part of UCLA’s larger class of more than 10,000 beginning their Bruin journey.