The history of Seattle University College of Nursing is linked to the early history of Providence Hospital in Seattle. In 1877, the Sisters of Providence responded to a request to care for those in the Seattle area who were sick and poor. The "Poor House" at 5th and Spring streets was eventually moved to 17th and Jefferson and became Providence Hospital. By 1907, seventeen Sisters of Charity of Providence were registered as nurses in the state of Washington. In 1937, an existing academic affiliation between the University of Washington and Providence School of Nursing was extended to Seattle College. For a few years, students were allowed to select their college affiliation. Beginning with the Class of 1941, all degrees were granted through Seattle College. In 1948, the Seattle University School of Nursing and the Sisters of Charity of Providence became the first Catholic collegiate school in the state of Washington to receive full accreditation by the National Nursing Accreditation Services. From 1943 through 1948, a total of 477 nurses graduated under the United States Cadet Nurses Corps affiliated with U.S. wartime armed forces.

Currently offering Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing degrees and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, the College of Nursing (2003) has maintained continuous external accreditation for over fifty years, most recently under the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).