NURSING
Nurses are trained to select and apply theory and research findings to patient care in a variety of situations and settings, toidentify and respond to acute and chronic health problems, to promote health and prevent illness, to evaluate completed
nursing research, to participate in professional and community organizations relevant to nursing, and to provide leadershipas an essential member of the health care team. To meet these needs nurses must possess critical-thinking ability,
knowledge of science, compassion, and communication, organization and multi-tasking skills. There is currently a nursing
shortage in the U.S., and nurses are needed in all settings including acute care hospitals, community health agencies,
homes, outreach programs, public schools, HMOs and clinics serving poor and rural populations. Career opportunities areparticularly good for bilingual or underrepresented nurses. For links to information on nursing careers and education, visit
the “Health Careers” page at http://career.ucsd.edu/L3/sa/PHealth.shtml

Nursing Roles
Depending on their level of education and experience, nurses can fill many roles in the health care system. All nurses mustobtain a Registered Nurse (R.N.) license through completion of an educational program and passage of the National Council
Licensure Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN), but there is no one right career path in nursing. Career opportunities fornurses are rich and varied – a flight trauma nurse, a pediatric nurse practitioner, a forensic nurse, a psychiatric nurse, anacademic nurse, an infection control nurse, a nurse anesthetist – the list is long; possibilities are everywhere. Learn asmuch as you can about advanced practice roles and about the many areas of specialization. For information on thevarious nursing careers, see the professional association websites listed below and visit www.DiscoverNursing.com,
www.ExploreHealthCareers.org, and www.bestnursingdegree.com. Stop into the Career Services Center to read
Opportunities to Care: the Pfizer Guide to Nursing and Careers in Nursing. Check out job postings on the National League
for Nursing website (www.nln.org) to see the variety of roles for nurses. Also, talk to nurses and/or volunteer in a healthcare setting where you can learn about nursing careers.
The Professional Nurse/R.N. completes a college-level program of coursework and clinical training and passes theNCLEX. Professional nurses work in all areas of health care and in many settings providing basic care.
Advanced Practice Nurses are R.N.s with graduate (post-baccalaureate) academic preparation and advanced clinicalskills qualifying them as experts in a defined area of knowledge and practice. Graduate academic preparation in nursing
is at the master’s and doctoral level. Advanced practice roles include:o Nurse Practitioner (NP) – NPs specialize in the primary health care needs of individuals and families. They areskilled health care providers who perform many of the tasks traditionally done by physicians and can conduct
complete medical exams, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries, administer immunizations,manage chronic problems like high blood pressure and diabetes, order lab services and X-rays, prescribe drugs andcounsel patients. The NP works in collaboration with physicians and as an independent member of the health careteam, working in hospitals, clinics, HMOs, private offices, nursing homes, etc. (American Academy of NPs –www.aanp.org)
o Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – CNSs have advanced clinical expertise in a particular specialty (e.g., oncology,cardiovascular nursing, etc.), providing expert patient care or facilitating clinical research to improve patient
outcomes. In addition to clinical practice or research, responsibilities may include education and consultation.
They provide leadership to other nurses in hospital, ambulatory or home care settings. (National Association ofCNS - http://www.nacns.org)
o Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) – CNMs specialize in the practice of obstetrical and gynecological care ofrelatively healthy women. They practice in hospitals and medical clinics, and may also deliver in birthing centersand at home. CNMs provide care to women from puberty through menopause and may work closely with anobstetrician, who provides consultation and assistance to patients who develop complications. (American Collegeof Nurse-Midwives - http://www.midwife.org/)o Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – CRNAs are specially trained to administer anesthesia. They
work as licensed independent practitioners or require some degree of supervision from the operating physician orsurgeon, depending on state law. (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists - http://www.aana.com/)
Nurse Administrators/Educators are R.N.s with doctoral-level academic preparation and advanced clinical skills
enabling them to work in hospital administration, nursing policy, research or in nursing education.
Note: Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) and Clinical Nursing Aides (CNA) are part of the health care team, but do not havethe R.N. licensure; career and advancement opportunities are limited for LVNs and CNAs.

Nursing Education
Individuals entering the nursing profession may choose between four educational routes, all of which include the R.N.
licensure. To determine which degree option is right for you, consider your career goals and advancement opportunities, thecost and time it will take to complete the program(s), and your likelihood of admission. Because of the demand for nurses,
many educational programs are oversubscribed or “impacted;” many have waiting lists for enrollment.
A.S./A.D.N. – the Associate’s Degree in Nursing can lead to R.N. licensure and is obtained at the community college
level in programs lasting 1-2 years. Though faster and cheaper than a bachelor’s degree, career options with theassociate’s level degree are limited and the B.S.N. or higher is becoming the expected degree for nurses.
B.S.N. – the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is currently the mostdesired degree for employment. UCSD students who wish to pursue
POPULAR CALIFORNIA NURSING EDUCATION
careers in nursing should consider transferring to an undergraduate
OPTIONS FOR UCSD STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
institution which offers the B.S.N. Or, students who wish to earn aB.S.N. Programs Accepting Transfer
degree at UCSD before studying to become a nurse can attend
Students: Check with the various California“accelerated” or “second” B.S.N. programs for students who alreadyState University campuses which offer thehave a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Accelerated programs are
B.S.N. Also, Pt. Loma Nazarene, Lomatypically 18 months to 2 years long, but can be as short as 12 months.
Linda University, the Univ. of San Francisco
M.S.N. – the Master’s of Science in Nursing degree is typicallyand Samuel Merritt College sometimes
required for the advanced practice nursing roles. The M.S.N. can be
accept transfers.
earned in 1-2 years after obtaining a B.S.N. or can be obtained in a
Accelerated/Second B.S.N. Programs (for“direct-entry” M.S.N program for students with a non-nursing
non-nursing college graduates):Azusa
bachelor’s degree. Direct-entry master’s programs can prepare
PacificUniversity;
California
State
students to earn their R.N. in 12 months and then require another 1-3Universities
atEastBay,
LongBeach,
Losyears of education and training depending on specialty area.
Angeles,Northridge,San
Bernardino,San
Most direct-entry M.S.N. programs lead to a master’s degree inMarcos, San Francisco, and San Jose; Loma
general nursing. Additional certification may be required after theLinda; Mount St. Mary’s; National University;
general master’s to obtain an advanced practice nursing role. While
Samuel Merritt College; and the Univ. ofsome direct-entry programs can lead directly to an advanced practice
Oklahoma (San Diego facility).
role, the lack of nursing experience these graduates have after goingdirectly from a non-nursing bachelor’s to a direct-entry APN master’s
Direct-Entry M.S.N. Programs (for noncan make employment at the advanced level difficult.
nursing college graduates): Univ. of San
N.D./D.N.P. – Nursing Doctorate programs are designed to prepare
Diego; Azusa Pacific University; California
students for advanced clinical roles as well as research, management
State Universities at Bakersfield, Dominguez
and nursing education. The N.D. can be earned after the B.S.N. orHills, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles,M.S.N. or in direct-entry programs for non-nursing bachelor’s degree
Sacramento, San Francisco, and Sonoma;holders. Programs can last 3-5 years. The doctorate is expected toUCLA; UCSF; Samuel Merritt College; Univ.
become the standard for advanced practice nurses by 2015. Master’sof San Francisco; and Western Univ. ofand doctoral-level programs are most appropriate for students with a
Health Sciences.
clear idea of their long-term nursing interests.
SEARCHABLE NURSING PROGRAM DATABASES
Admission Requirements• American Assoc. of Colleges of Nursing –Nursing programs are unique and each may have different admissionwww.aacn.nche.edu/Education/nurse_ed/nrequirements. You should carefully review the websites and admission
ep_index.htm
materials of each school to which you plan to apply. Applications are• California Board of Registered Nursing –usually made one year before enrolling. Though they vary, nursing
www.rn.ca.gov/schools/programs
programs commonly require:• Discover Nursing Program Search –Pre-Requisite Coursework – A strong, rigorous academic record
www.discovernursing.com
with a minimum GPA of 2.75 to 3.0 (higher for some master’s• Peterson’s Guide to Nursing Programs –programs) is expected and requirements vary but often include
www.petersons.com/nursing (also in bookanatomy/physiology, microbiology, nutrition, chemistry, organic
form in the Career Services Center)chemistry, statistics, human development, sociology, and writing.
• www.AllNursingSchools.com
Courses not offered at UCSD can be taken at community college.
Admission Tests – Master’s and doctoral level programs often require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE,www.gre.org) which tests verbal, quantitative and writing ability. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS,www.ATITesting.com) may be required for transfer/enrollment in a B.S.N. program and covers math, science, readingand English language usage.
Experience – Confirm your career choice and develop skills by exploring nursing careers. Consider shadowing,volunteering or working in a hospital or clinic with nurses to gain exposure to nursing. Opportunities can be found at
http://career.ucsd.edu/L3/sa/documents/ClinicalHospitalExperience.pdf.
Letters of Recommendation – Since 2-3 letters may be required for your application, you should work to get to know
your professors and nursing professionals. Get tips at http://career.ucsd.edu/L3/sa/Handouts/guidltr.pdf.
Admissions Essay – Many applications will require you to write a 1-2 page essay on your experience, motivation andinterest in nursing. Help can be found in our written guide (http://career.ucsd.edu/L3/sa/Handouts/personalstmt.pdf) andthrough workshops held in the Career Services Center. Essay drafts can also be submitted for critique.
Financial Aid – Because of the demand for nurses, many scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness programs areavailableforstudents
pursuing
nursing
degrees.
Findfinancialaid
opportunitiesathttp://career.ucsd.edu/L3/sa/finaid.shtml,www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/financialaid.htm,andwww.discovernursing.com/scholarship-search.
In addition to the sources above, the Career Services Center offers a library of books and resources on nursing careers andeducation, a nursing school workshop, and one-on-one advising appointments to help you on your path to a career innursing. Visit http://career.ucsd.edu for details.
Professional and Graduate School Advising, Career Services Center, UC San Diego 12/09