Pacific changing nursing master’s program to meet demand

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of nursing professionals. California leads the national shortage of nurses and is expected to need 45,000 nurses by 2030. Nursing professionals are in high demand and working multiple shifts, making the commitment to a master’s degree program that is not mandatory for practice less of a priority.

Therefore, due to current urgent health care needs, and in consultation with university leadership and health care industry partners, University of the Pacific’s new School of Health Sciences will pivot its Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN) toward a Master’s Entry Professional Nursing program (MEPN).

This advanced degree will prepare nursing professionals for high-demand careers in leadership, population health, patient care and public health nursing. The curriculum will include a diabetes management concentration and interprofessional education across our three campuses.

Once developed, the new program will follow internal and external approval processes. Marketing and recruitment will commence after program approval. More information will be forthcoming.

The School of Health Sciences builds on Pacific’s long-standing reputation for preparing health care professionals. Housed at our Sacramento Campus, it includes programs at the San Francisco and Stockton campuses. The school will welcome its founding dean, Nicoleta Bugnariu, on June 1.