Cal's Career Center Health Team

Nursing Programs for Cal Students

Many of you are taking an interest in nursing careers, only to realize that: 

A.  Cal has no nursing programs.

B.   You don't know what kinds of nursing programs exist.

C.  You're uncertain about what kind of nurse you'd like to be.  

Let's start with the basics.  By now you probably already know that nursing jobs have evolved beyond the wedge caps and bedpans of yore, and that nurses take on many weighty responsibilities:  Administering medicines, educating patients and families, taking vitals, monitoring patients' progress, etc.  There are bachelor's level nurses, and master's level nurses.

Bachelor's level nurses are usually referred to as registered nurses with a bachelor's of science in nursing (RN/BSN.)  Yes, you already have a bachelor's degree from Cal.  Becoming a BSN requires a separate degree, although because you have fulfilled your GE requirements at Cal, the degree will usually only take an additional two years.   Sometimes RNs refer to themselves as "scrub nurses" because they don scrubs and work directly in hospital units (meaning they provide in-patient care.)  RNs spend a lot of their time carrying out doctor's orders, although their opinions are valued as a critical part of the patient/doctor discourse, as RNs spend more of their time working closely with patients and their families.

Pay is good.  Great actually, in the state of California.  Many RNs, due to the nursing shortage, can command salaries of $80,000 or more depending on the unit they're working in (usually the more stressful, the higher the pay.)

Master's level nurses usually take on one of two roles:  Nurse practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.  

Nurse practitioners usually work on an outpatient basis.  Many patients see nurse practitioners for their primary care needs.  For example, to get a pap smear, or to discuss treatments for an allergy.  Nurse practitioners can prescribe medicines, and do many of the things that primary care physicians can do.  They generally refer out to specialist physicians when a patient presents with a serious health issue requiring unique expertise.  Nurse practitioners often work in public health settings (community clinics) or are affiliated with HMOs or PPOs and work mostly in outpatient settings (clinical offices.)

A clincial nurse specialist is an advance practice RN.  Like RNs, they usually work in acute care settings, and take on administrative roles to supervise the RNs and promote better clinical outcomes.  

Most Cal grads are interested in Master's Entry Nursing Programs.  These are programs designed for applicants who already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree from another institution to place them on the fast track as an NP or CNS.  These programs typically whisk you through the coursework and training to gain RN licensure on your way to completing a master's degree within your focus.  

The course pre-requisites for these programs vary, and you should evaluate each program on a basis of 

location, cost, and the type of specializations offered.  Not a science major at Cal?  Most programs don't mind if you take your science pre-requisites at a community college.  

These programs exist at many universities, such as UCSF, SFSU, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Samuel Merritt College, and Johns Hopkins. 

RN/BSN programs are available at many state universities.  

Unfortunately, the web has yet to yield a good resource for compiling programs.  All Nursing Schools  

offers a basic list, but I've noticed that it does not include every master's entry program.  Googling schools in places where you'd like to live is a good start; simply check to see if they offer nursing programs.   I would also recommend making an appointment with one of your health counselors at the Career Center for more information.  You may book an appointment online here.

Cal Alumna from Johns Hopkins Nursing Program

Kristen Jadelrab, a UC Berkeley Alum, recently graduated from Johns Hopkins Nursing Program. She will be at UC Berkeley for the Graduate School Fair on October 11th & 12th in the Pauley Ballroom. She is also happy to meet with students outside of the Fair to provide an inside perspective on Johns Hopkins Nursing Program.

Why Choose Nursing?

Yes, admit it. During your bleaker moments (studying for chemistry mid-terms, for example) you wonder why you ever thought of health professional school at all.  Consider, for example, that if you are lucky enough to be granted admission to the school of your choice, your painstaking efforts shall be rewarded with four more grueling years of study---if you are pre-med, make that seven, if you count those three minimum nose-to-the-grindstone years as an intern/resident.  That's right, becoming a healthcare service professional is hardly a glamorous affair, though most constituents consider it uniquely rewarding. 

Especially those clever nurses.

What makes nursing different?  After all, the nursing school admissions process is so competitive that it isn't unlike medical school.  Berkeley doesn't even offer a nursing degree.  And what would your parents and friends think if you shed your projected white coat for a wedge cap?  Well, my friend, it is time to dust off your definition of the nursing career.  Here are the top 4 reasons why you should consider entering this exciting, evolving field: 

1.  Depth of Patient Care. 

If you find that you are attracted to health care because you want to "treat the whole person" or "connect" with patients, then nursing is the career for you; the bulk of what nurses do is educate, treat, and bond with their patients.  Granted, there are some patients you'd rather not get to know so inimately.  But for the most part, nurses enjoy the level of patient-practitioner connection that their job allows.   

2.  Salary.

Although nursing salaries vary, most people are surprised to learn how much nurses are making, especially in the Bay Area.  According to Salary.com, the median base salary range for a registered nurse in San Francisco is around $72,000 a year.  After 4-5 years, many nurses are earning a six-figure salary.  Not bad for somebody with just a bachelor's degree.  If you become a Nurse Practitioner, in SF you can expect a base salary of around $99,000.

3.   Flexibility.

How would you like to work 3 days a week and still earn a six-figure salary?  The fact is, many nurses enjoy incredible flexibility in their work schedules that other health practitioners can only dream of.  RNs often have the option to work a 12-hour day three days a week, and enjoy four days off.  If you are forced to work on a holiday, then your employer often pays time and a half for your trouble.  If work/life balance is important to you,  bear in mind that few careers allow this kind of job flexibility-to-earnings ratio.  Even if you decide to become a Nurse Practitioner, you often will never work beyond 9-5.   

4.  Demand.

Employers practically roll out the red carpet for nurses.  Sign-on bonuses ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 are common.  When the boomers retire, expect that desperate employers will be dreaming up even tastier goodies to seduce lucky nursing graduates.  If you have always itched to travel around the U.S., there are many travel nursing programs which have sprung up to address the increasing shortages in various major cities.  How would you like your rent and moving expenses covered while you live in a high-rise in Chicago?  Craving some time on the beach?  Try a 3-month travel nursing assignment in Miami.

If you want to pursue work that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, pays well, makes you feel needed, challenges your intellect and allows you to enjoy...well...other things besides work, then consider nursing.  For more information, check out Discover Nursing.