Nursing
Nursing is more than a profession; it's a calling to care, heal, and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Nurses utilize clinical judgment in responding to the complex physical, psychological, and emotional needs of patients, families, and communities. As the largest workforce in health care, they are committed to collaborating with all members of the health care team to effectively manage disease, promote health, and prevent illness.
Nursing is a dynamic and diverse field with numerous specialties to explore, from pediatrics to geriatrics, emergency care to mental health, and more. Whether you choose to work in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community health settings, the opportunities for career growth and advancement are vast. You can pursue advanced degrees and specialty certifications, become a nurse educator, researcher, or even move into healthcare leadership roles.
The BSN program is designed for students who enter the Nursing program with no prior nursing knowledge, experience, or skills. Following the prerequisite courses, completion of this program requires 5 semesters of full-time study.
Students complete the BSN through either the Semester or Trimester pathway. The admission requirements and the curriculum are the same. The Semester BSN pathway requires 5 semesters of full-time study in the Fall and Spring semesters. The Trimester BSN pathway requires 5 year-round semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer). The Trimester BSN pathway is financially supported through a generous grant from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children’s Hospital and ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú.
- ADN-to-BSN: Students with an Associate Degree in Nursing may be accepted into the BSN program and complete the BSN in approximately 18 months.
- The School of Nursing BSN-DNP program focuses on five Nurse Practitioner Specialty areas:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Primary Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health (across the lifespan).
For information on this program: BSN to DNP Program
After completing the nursing degree program, graduates will need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Jobs with undergraduate education:
- Registered Nurse (RN) in outpatient and acute care settings
- Public Health Nurse (PHN)
- Staff RN in a variety of specialties (e.g. medical-surgical, labor & delivery, post-partum, emergency department, operating room, intensive care unit, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, hospice, home health)
- School Nurse
- Charge Nurse
Jobs with graduate education:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Outpatient care facilities
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- Community health centers
- Patients’ homes
Registered Nurse
Outlook
According to the , employment opportunities for Registered Nurses are expected to grow faster than average: 6% in the next 10 years, while opportunities for Nurse Practitioners are expected to grow 38%.
Annual median wage
- Registered Nurses: $137,690 CA, $86,070 US
- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: $161,540 CA, $129,480 US
Nurse Practitioner
Outlook
According to the , overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 26 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for healthcare services from an aging population.
Annual median wage
- $113,930 per year
- $54.78 per hour
Service orientation
Nurses are committed to advocating for their patient’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health and well-being.
Clinical competency
Nurses possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs in a primary or acute care environment.
Cultural competency
Nurses should be able to effectively treat clients with different backgrounds and needs.
Compassion and emotional stability
Nurses should have empathy when caring for patients and having strong coping mechanisms for dealing with human suffering and emergency situations.
Critical-thinking skills
Nurses should be able to quickly evaluate changes in a patient’s condition and prioritize the appropriate course of action.
Detail-oriented
Nurses must be able to interpret, process, and follow through on multiple sources of information to ensure a safe and optimal outcome for their patients.
Physical stamina
During most of their shifts, nurses are on their feet. They should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting and moving patients.
Communication skills
Nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients. They should be able to give clear instructions and communicate patient needs to other health care professionals.
- (CNSA)
- (Nursing Honor Society)
