From ER tech to emergency room RN
How one graduate found his path at UC Davis
Sam Klein saw the MEPN program as a launchpad for leadership in his nursing career.
For Sam Klein, becoming a registered nurse wasn’t part of the original plan.
“I always knew I wanted something in health care,” he said. “I wanted to be a doctor for the longest time. My dad’s a doctor, so that probably influenced me.”
But it was a few years working as an emergency room tech that helped Klein discover what he truly wanted: a career in nursing.
Encouraged by the nurses he worked with, Klein realized nursing could give him the same opportunity to impact lives on a personal level and on a system-wide scale.
“I want to make wide, systematic change in health care and impact a great number of people. As a nurse, you can do that at every level,” he said.
That vision led Klein to the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis.
“It was an easy decision,” he explained. “I knew the system, I liked their model and I really liked what they stood for and their values.”
Launchpad for leadership
“[The school] want[s] people who are going to fight for their patients and be leaders in the industry.” – Sam Klein, MEPN alum
What Klein found once in the program was more than clinical skills. It was a launchpad for leadership.
“I really appreciated how much they care about making impactful leaders,” Klein said. “They want people who are going to fight for their patients and be leaders in the industry.”
From faculty support to state-of-the-art facilities, the program gave Klein a strong foundation.
“The faculty were incredible. They knew all our names and truly cared,” he shared. “They held extra study sessions and were always there to help if we needed it.”
The School of Nursing’s collaborative environment stood out, with students using every tool available — from whiteboard walls to weekend study groups. Classrooms were designed to encourage teamwork and critical thinking.
“I was skeptical at first about the group learning tables,” Klein admitted, “but they turned out to be such a great way to collaborate.”
Realistic simulation labs also gave students the chance to experience real-world scenarios with guidance from faculty. “Even now, I think back to those simulations when I face similar situations at work.”
Klein was presented with the Star Student Nurse Award at his class’s traditional pinning ceremony in December 2024. Now working in the emergency department at UC Davis Health, Klein credits the program with preparing him to thrive.
“They can teach anyone how to put in an IV,” he said. “But the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing taught me how to think, how to care deeply, communicate effectively and lead with purpose.”
