Nursing
Nurses provide and coordinate patient health care. Not only do they educate patients and their families about health conditions, but they also provide much-needed emotional support. Nurses are committed to maintaining health and preventing illness.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Basic: The School accepts students into the nursing program at the sophomore level after they have completed all of their prerequisites. In five semesters, they graduate with a BSN degree and Public Health Certificate.
- Trimester BSN is similar to the Basic BSN except students attend school year-round.
- ADN-to-BSN: Students with an Associate Degree in Nursing may be accepted into the BSN program and complete the BSN in approximately 18 months.
- The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing with Nurse Practitioner Specialty Areas of Family, Pediatric Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Women’s Health, Psychiatric-Mental Health (across the lifespan), and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care.
- MSN in Nursing and Health Systems Executive Management Program.
- Post-Master's Certificate Programs
- Nursing Education to prepare nurse educators (12-18 units post-masters)
After completing the nursing degree program, graduates will need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Jobs with undergraduate education:
- Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse)
- Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse)
- Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)
- Public Health Nurse (PHN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse)
- School Nurse
- Charge Nurse
- Staff Nurse
Jobs with graduate education:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Outpatient care facilities
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- Community health centers
- Patients’ homes
Registered Nurse
Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Registered Nurses are expected to grow much faster than average: 15% in the next 10 years (national).
Annual median wage
- CA: $106,950
- US: $71,730
Nurse Practitioner
Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 26 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for healthcare services from an aging population.
Annual median wage
- $113,930 per year
- $54.78 per hour
Service orientation
Nurses are committed to advocating for their patient’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health and well-being.
Clinical competency
Nurses possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs in a primary or acute care environment.
Cultural competency
Nurses should be able to effectively treat clients with different backgrounds and needs.
Compassion and emotional stability
Nurses should have empathy when caring for patients and having strong coping mechanisms for dealing with human suffering and emergency situations.
Critical-thinking skills
Nurses should be able to quickly evaluate changes in a patient’s condition and prioritize the appropriate course of action.
Detail-oriented
Nurses must be able to interpret, process, and follow through on multiple sources of information to ensure a safe and optimal outcome for their patients.
Physical stamina
During most of their shifts, nurses are on their feet. They should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting and moving patients.
Communication skills
Nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients. They should be able to give clear instructions and communicate patient needs to other health care professionals.
