The capital city of California, Sacramento is a diverse city which is home to about 477,892 residents (2011). Some of the prominent sectors of the city include financial services, trade, education, and health services. Sacramento has a number of opportunities for students who seek to pursue higher education and prepare for the city’s nursing workforce needs. There are numerous colleges and universities that offer a variety of degree programs to enable students to hone their skills and gain knowledge in the field of their interest. Sacramento has a number of nursing schools as well that offer academic programs for aspiring nurses.
What Nurses Do
Offering basic nursing care to patients in diverse settings, nurses are an important part of the healthcare system in California. They monitor patients’ health, keep health records, and may offer advice on health conditions if they have the proper training. Some nurses hold senior positions and carry out administrative tasks while others offer healthcare services to specialized groups.
Nursing Workforce in Sacramento
To become a nurse in California, students need to complete an approved educational program and also obtain a license. The California Healthcare Foundation (2010) noted that about 300,000 registered nurses live in California, making nursing the single largest health profession in the state. As demand for these healthcare workers are expected to grow in future, pursuing nursing programs in Sacramento could be good option.
Nursing Schools in Sacramento
There are a number of nursing schools in Sacramento that offer nursing programs that help students earn degrees or diplomas. Students may enroll in an associate’s degree programs in nursing, and these typically take two years to complete. Students who want to work in entry level positions in nursing could enroll in these programs and learn about prevention, health maintenance, and restorative needs of patients. Curriculum in an associate’s degree in nursing program may include instruction in subjects such as healthcare management, developmental psychology, and medical terminology.
Bachelor’s degree programs in nursing are also offered at nursing schools in Sacramento. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor's degree or higher may be suitable for those who seek teaching, administrative, or research positions. Some of the topics of study included in a bachelor’s degree program may include:
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Nutrition
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Community health
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Nursing research practices
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Health promotion
Students may also pursue advanced nursing programs such as a master’s degree that may help them focus their degree in a particular area within nursing.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete nursing programs in Sacramento are able to:
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Carry out the roles of nursing care provider
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Execute disease-prevention and health-promotion activities
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Make use of healthcare and information technologies
What are the opportunities for graduates?
About two-thirds of all California RNs work in hospital settings (California Hospital Association, 2014). Some California nurses also work in ambulatory care and other healthcare settings.
Can I get financial assistance?
Nursing students in Sacramento may apply for financial assistance to get funding for their educational expenses. Eligible students may benefit from funds in the form of grants, students loans, and scholarships such as:
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Federal student loans
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Federal Pell grants
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Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program (AHSP)
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Health Professions Education Scholarship Program (HPSP)