Since 1950, the UCLA School of Nursing has excelled at training individuals to take on the challenging role of nurse. In the beginning, only one undergraduate degree option was available. Today, the student entering the nursing must choose from a variety of programs which present them with increasing complexity and specialization. Graduates from any of these programs generally find themselves in demand at the best hospitals, clinics, and health care centers across the nation. Although gaining admission is a difficult and competitive process, most attendees agree that the high caliber of education they receive is well worth overcoming the attendant hurdles.
One of the things which separate the UCLA School of Nursing from its competitors is its faculty. With a host of nationally recognized leaders in the healthcare field available to teach and provide mentorship, the students here truly receive an unparalleled education. Each faculty member, and the school as a whole, believes in the value of having an education that is enriched with the latest advances in technology and keeps up with cutting edge research. The faculty themselves are in many instances brilliant researchers who routinely break through knowledge barriers to expand the science of nursing to greater accomplishments.
Of course, such research could not be carried out without having facilities that are as technologically advanced and well equipped as any laboratories in the nation. An extensive library, auditoriums, study halls, and several laboratories are just a few of the facilities to which students have regular access. They are trained utilizing the latest tools and techniques so that when they embark upon their career they will be ready to meet any need with confident knowledge and competent skill.
Students who enter the UCLA School of Nursing may do so at the undergraduate level in order to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. This course of study prepares the student to become a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation, they must complete the National Council Licensure Exam, or NCLEX. Completion of the program and the test qualifies the individual to practice as an RN in any state in the nation. In pursuit of the Bachelor of Science degree, the student will complete many courses which are directly related to the field of nursing. Among these may be courses about anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, various mathematics subjects, microbiology, nutrition, and pharmacology. In addition to these courses, the student must also complete general education requirements ranging from social sciences and languages to humanities and fine arts.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing provides a broad educational base from which the individual may begin a rewarding career. However, they may also choose to continue their education with a further degree. Many choose to earn a post-graduate degree. At the UCLA School of Nursing, this may take the form of either a Master’s of Science in Nursing or the Advanced Practice Nursing Program. These degrees are a pathway to taking on leadership roles in the individual’s healthcare community. They may obtain employment as Clinical Nurse Specialists or Nurse Administrators. The school also offers a PhD option which can lead to individuals performing their own research studies, thereby increasing the knowledge of the nursing community.
Nursing is a tremendously rewarding field for a variety of individuals. Those with an interest in the sciences and those with a natural inclination toward compassionate care can succeed in this profession. With the excellent faculty, administration, and facilities offered by the UCLA School of Nursing, students are set upon a path that leads them to success. With diligence, commitment and hard work, graduates can find a meaningful career.