Accelerated program advances careers, nursing roles, opportunities

While many programs focus on the clinical skills needed to pass the national licensing examination for registered nurses, the School of Nursing goes beyond preparation for traditional, acute-care roles

Students have several pathways to pursue a career in the nursing health care profession. Those who have completed their bachelor’s degrees and prerequisites and want to fast track the period from studying in a classroom to working in the field can do so at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. The new Master’s Entry Program in Nursing prepares new nurses ― in only 18, short months ― for a variety of clinical roles and indirect areas of health care practice.

“Our students receive the same number of clinical hours as their counterparts in traditional entry-level nursing programs, plus enhanced bedside nursing education and training so they enter the job market ready for certification," explained Theresa Harvath, associate dean for academics. “The day they graduate from our program, they are ready to sit for the licensing exam and begin their new career in nursing.”

While many programs focus on the clinical skills needed to pass the national licensing examination for registered nurses (NCLEX), the School of Nursing goes beyond preparation for traditional, acute-care roles. Coursework develops students’ leadership talents, builds their technology skills, develops their interprofessional strengths and expands their knowledge of health systems and populations. Whether graduates seek positions in bedside nursing, public health nursing or nursing education and management, they will welcome a myriad of opportunities upon graduation and licensing.

The current health care system, which relies heavily on hospitals to provide care, is changing. Health reforms emphasize less costly care in community settings and greater access to primary care that focuses on health promotion and chronic disease to meet the growing demands of newly insured individuals in California and beyond. New roles for nurses are emerging to meet increasing demands, such as care coordinator, faculty team leader, informatics specialist, health coach, nurse and family cooperative facilitator and primary-care partner. These positions require that registered nurses have deep knowledge of population-based care and are able to function competently outside the acute-care setting.

The evolving landscape of health care requires more and more employers to hire a more graduate-educated and skilled workforce. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, entry-level master’s programs are in the highest demand of all nursing programs. Additionally, more than 90 percent of entry-level master’s-degree graduates are employed as nurses within six months of graduation, a rate that far exceeds other nursing preparation programs. Graduates of an entry-level master’s degree program report higher salaries than students who complete bachelor’s- or associate-degree programs.

The UC Davis program accomplishes all those objectives in a short time, with intense instruction and a full-time schedule by building on previous learning experiences. Those motivated to make a difference in health care and driven to maximize their time will pursue the master’s-degree route, earning a deeper foundation of knowledge and preparing for greater job opportunities and higher salaries throughout their new career.