Registered nurses sought for roles as clinical instructors

UC Davis Health registered nurses now have the opportunity to shape the future of the nursing profession.

The Residency in Education, Teaching And Instruction in Nursing (RETAIN) program is accepting applications, opening the door for nurses to step into the vital role of clinical educator.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Nursing Expansion Grant Program, RETAIN is designed to expand the pipeline of nursing instructors and increase the number of students who can enter nursing school by adding to nursing faculty. The program provides registered nurses with a clear path to becoming certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educators, a role that combines direct patient care expertise with the ability to guide and inspire the next generation of nurses.

More than teaching

“Being a nurse educator is more than teaching skills, it’s about mentoring, modeling professionalism and helping students find their place in this calling,” said Deb Bakerjian, associate dean for practice at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and director of RETAIN. “This internship is a tremendous opportunity for our nurses to grow professionally while giving back to the field that shaped them.”

The Clinical Instructor Internship is a 14-week hybrid program that includes online coursework, weekly clinical teaching with nursing students, mentorship from experienced instructors and two multi-day on-site immersions. Participants receive a stipend of $14,000 upon successful completion.

Up to eight interns will be selected each session. Nurses with a BSN or MSN are eligible to apply, and in some cases, ADN graduates with appropriate experience may also be considered.

The 14-week program requires nurses to be part-time or unemployed, as mandated by the labor department. Once admitted, they receive a clinical schedule, preceptor and must complete both synchronous and asynchronous coursework, which makes it nearly a full-time commitment. Many participants adjust their jobs to weekends or per-diem work and early admission deadlines now allow more time to plan.

Graduates often continue in their clinical practice while teaching part-time as instructors, with this program giving them a strong advantage when applying for CI roles. Graduates of the program emphasize the career-expanding value it provides.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if I had the time to do it. But, after 30 years in the field, this program completely changed the way I see my role as a nurse,” said Paula Brumbeloe, a recent RETAIN participant. “I would recommend this program if you are interested or have always been interested in sharing your knowledge, your skill set and encouraging the younger generation to move on up. Because we all need future nurses.”

Interested? Here are the details

Upcoming Application Deadlines:

• Spring 2026: Apply by Nov. 2, 2025
• Summer 2026: Apply by March 22, 2026
• Fall 2026: Apply by May 25, 2026

Clinical areas of focus include adult acute care, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, geriatrics, and community health. At the conclusion of the program, participants are eligible to sit for the NLN Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) exam once they meet the required years of experience.

“This is a win for our nurses, for our health system, and for the patients who will be cared for by tomorrow’s workforce,” added Bakerjian.

Learn more details and how to apply here.