University of California - Irvine

Nursing Programs Offered

BSN Program Details

The Baccalaureate in Nursing Science offers outstanding undergraduates the opportunity to enter the healthcare environment with an education founded upon the theory and practice of nursing. Completion of the program’s curriculum will lead to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Nursing Science, a key asset for today’s nurses, who must provide care to a diverse group of patients through evidence-based practice.

Nurse Professionals are members of interdisciplinary teams who work with people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and lifestyles to help them achieve the highest level of wellness possible. Graduates of the Program in Nursing Science are prepared to serve as generalists in professional nursing practice and to collaborate with other healthcare providers in clinics, hospitals, and community health settings.

The undergraduate program prepares students for success in academia as well; graduates are poised to attain advanced degrees in Nursing Science and to significantly contribute to the field through original research. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide theory and research-based clinical practice focusing on critical thinking, human caring, and clinical expertise. Moreover, the combination of nursing science curriculum with related disciplines including the biological, social, behavioral, medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences will prepare students to address the span of healthcare needs and to be leaders in the healthcare and academic environments.

Essentially a selective and unique major within the College of Health Sciences for UC Irvine undergraduates, the BS in Nursing Science is a four-year undertaking. Students complete two years of basic sciences before commencing the upper-level nursing science courses in the junior and senior years. Upon completion of the program, students attain a BS degree and are prepared to take the NCLEX exam for nursing licensure.

MSN Program Details

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program is designed to prepare nurses to deliver primary health care to families in a variety of settings. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed. Nurse practitioners focus on wellness, prevention, and education.

Each student applying to the Master of Science (MS) program must select an area of specialization. Students can choose from the Family Nurse Practitioner Track (FNP) or the Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track (A/GNP). Graduates of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) tracks will also be eligible for certification by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Students enrolled in either the Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner track or the Family Nurse Practitioner track will complete 72 units. Students will complete 720 hours of clinical practice with populations in their area of emphasis to be eligible for certification. Clinical placements are approved, coordinated, and supervised by our graduate faculty. Limited clinical preceptorships are available to students; therefore, students are strongly encouraged to recruit preceptors for a portion of their clinical rotations. Students are expected to complete the full-time program within two years.