Nurse Faculty Residency Program
Applications are now open for Fall 2025
The Nurse Faculty Residency is an opportunity for individuals to receive job training and skill development to prepare them for a teaching career in Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), or Advanced Practice Provider (NP or PA) programs. Preference is given to applicants who are currently enrolled in or accepted to a master’s degree program in nursing, other health-related fields, administration or education. Individuals who have already earned a master’s degree will be considered if space is available. Those who have earned a doctoral degree (doctorate, DNP, PhD, etc.) in the fields listed above are not eligible.
About the Nurse Faculty Residency
This program emphasizes:
- Collegial relationships
- Opportunities to mentor students
- Opportunities to shape nursing practice
Across 12 months, participants will complete the following requirements:
- Three Health Professions Educator online courses and apply their knowledge to prepare class lessons and syllabi. Participants will also grade and participate in active learning sessions with students
- Complete active learning sessions including the Western States Simulation Alliance training, such as Simulations and High-Fidelity Simulations, Basic and Advanced Debriefing, and Adapting and Evaluating Simulation Activities
- Work toward their master’s degree, which may include nursing, other select health related fields, administration or education
- An online or local hybrid master's degree program is preferred to ensure residents can fully participate in the teaching experience.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be prepared to take the NLN CNE® novice exam and be well positioned to apply for faculty positions.
The program will train a minimum of 20 participants over the next three years.
Apply now for the 2025-26 cohort
Applications for the 2025-26 cohort are open now through July 27. The program begins on September 16. Admissions will take place on a rolling basis until all spots are filled, so apply early!
Final review for the Fall 2025 cohort will be conducted for applications received by July 27, 2025.
Stipend
Participants in the Nurse Faculty Residency (NFR) will receive an annual stipend of $75,000 (paid monthly) and up to $50,000 in tuition assistance toward their master's degree program (must be enrolled or accepted as a student at the time of application and in programs with a focus on nursing, other health-related fields, administration or education). Tuition assistance for doctoral students is not available. For applicants who already have a graduate degree in nursing, another health-related field, administration or education, tuition assistance is not applicable. Scholarships and student loan reimbursement/forgiveness are not available under this grant-funded program.
Co-teaching
Each NFR will be precepted by an experienced nurse faculty member who will facilitate their learning and co-teach in the classroom. These may be pre-licensure or graduate-level nursing courses. Participants will learn the skills to develop and implement a nursing or nursing-related graduate course, develop and provide lectures, facilitate student simulations, and conduct student assessments, including grading papers. They will work with a learning management system (e.g., Canvas) and learn classroom management skills.
Teaching experiences will be coordinated by the program and may include courses taught in partner organizations located throughout Northern California. The RETAIN program will facilitate teaching placement to align with applicant interests to the degree possible.
Benefits
Benefits (e.g., health and welfare benefits) are not available; however, there are some supportive funds available for individuals who meet the eligibility requirements.
Health Professions Educator Graduate Academic Certificate Program
Participants completing the three mandatory Health Professions Educator courses will receive a Graduate Academic Certificate and be prepared to sit for the NLN CNE® novice exam. The costs associated with the prep course and exam are covered by the residency program.
The Health Professions Educator Certificate Program consists of three courses (UC Davis' fall, winter and spring quarters), 12 units total: 8 didactic units plus 4 lab/practicum units, and includes topics such as curriculum development, clinical skills teaching, classroom management and student assessments. These courses are provided through UC Davis with a practical portion that will consist of the NFRs' teaching experience. On-site and online training assignments will be scheduled with the residents.
Travel
Travel to UC Davis’ Sacramento campus a minimum of 3-4 times in the 12-month program is required. Residents are required to travel to teaching sites for in-person education days that may be geographically distant from their homes. Reimbursement for travel expenses may be available based on need.
Schedule
View a sample of the program schedule
Other support for participants
Need-based services are available to participants who meet the eligibility requirements. Contact retain@ucdavis.edu for more details.
Applicants must:
- Be a California state resident
- Have a valid, current, unrestricted, and active RN license through the California Board of Registered Nursing and be free from any disciplinary action by the board
- Possess a baccalaureate degree
- Be working toward or have completed a master’s degree in nursing, another health-related field, administration, or education
- Nurses (including advanced practice nurses) who currently have a master’s degree or are pursuing a doctoral degree in the fields listed above will be considered if space is available.
- There is a preference for students attending primarily online programs to allow the NFR to participate fully in the teaching experience.
- The following schools work closely with this residency program: Sacramento State University; Sonoma State University; Cal Poly Humboldt, American River College; Sacramento City College; and Sierra College.
- Please contact us at RETAIN@ucdavis.edu if you have a master’s degree in an area that does not include nursing, another healthcare related field, administration or education.
- Be available to participate in all learning activities during the full 12-month timeframe
- Have at least one (1) year’s continuous, full-time or its equivalent experience within the previous five years providing direct patient care as a registered nurse in one of the designated nursing areas: geriatrics, medical-surgical, mental-health/psychiatric nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics or community health
- Applicants are advised to review CA TITLE 16, CCR SECTION 1420(d) defining faculty requirements for clinical competence and CCR SECTION 1425 describing requirements to qualify for a faculty instructor position in a School of Nursing.
- The RETAIN Nurse Faculty Residency program meets the requirement for: One (1) academic year of registered nurse level clinical teaching experience in the designated nursing area or its equivalent that demonstrate clinical competency.
Applicants cannot:
- Be a current employee of UC Davis
- Have already earned a doctoral degree in nursing, other health-related fields, administration or education
The information below provides details pertaining to the selection of the 2025-26 cohort.
- Jan. 8, 2025 – Application opens
- July 27, 2025 – Application closes at midnight PT*
- *Application period may be extended only if space is available.
- Sep. 16. 2025 – Program for 2025-2026 cohort begins
Application components:
- Completed online application
- Specific instructions for submitting the required documents outlined below can be found at the conclusion of the application.
- Cover letter describing your nursing experience, your goals as an educator and why you are interested in participating in this program
- Statement supporting your interest in working as an educator in underserved or under resourced regions of Northern California
- Curriculum vitae or resume that lists all your experiences as a nurse
- Two letters of reference: At least one letter should be from an RN or NP clinical supervisor. The second letter can be from a master’s program faculty member (if applicable), a faculty member from your nursing program if a recent graduate (within five years) or another clinician (RN, NP, PA, MD/DO) who can speak to your clinical role and expertise
- Current unofficial graduate program transcript (if any course work in a graduate program has been completed) or acceptance letter with start date (if course work has not yet been completed)
- Interviews will not be conducted for this program; however, a pre-admission meeting to clarify application elements may be requested or offered by the program.
Visit our frequently asked questions (FAQs) document or contact us at retain@ucdavis.edu for more information about this program.
