Bridging the gap between graduation and clinical mastery while advancing health equity in Orange County
Addressing Critical Healthcare Needs in Orange County
Orange County faces a significant healthcare challenge: in many parts of the county, the number of primary care providers falls far below national recommendations, according to the California Health Care Foundation. The UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing is stepping up to address this critical shortage with an innovative solution that launches this October.
Program Overview: A Comprehensive 24-Month Journey
The new Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program represents a groundbreaking approach to nursing education and community service. This carefully structured program combines:
- Year 1: Intensive Training Foundation
- Interdisciplinary mentorship from experienced healthcare professionals
- Observational clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings
- Rigorous didactic curriculum designed for real-world application
- Year 2: Community Service Commitment
- Direct healthcare provision to CalOptima members
- Focus on Orange County’s most vulnerable populations
- Hands-on experience in underserved communities
Building on Proven Success: The NURSE-OC Connection
This residency program builds upon UCI Nursing’s established track record of community engagement through the NURSE-OC (Nursing Undergraduate Research and Service Experiences in Orange County) program.
Our existing community collaborations have already demonstrated the power of connecting nursing education with real-world healthcare needs. Through partnerships with local healthcare organizations, we’ve created pathways for students to gain valuable clinical experience while addressing community health challenges.
Learn more about our community collaborations
Expert Perspective: Bridging Education and Practice
“This residency bridges the gap between graduation and clinical mastery. Our goal is to support early-career nurse practitioners as they transition into independent practice while improving patient outcomes and expanding access to high-quality care.”
Nisa Zacharias, D.N.P.
UC Irvine Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
Program Highlights: Key Features and Benefits
Our Commitment to Health Equity
The program’s emphasis on sustainability and health equity sets it apart from traditional nursing education models. By training nurse practitioners who reflect the populations they serve, the residency program:
- Fosters Trust: Providers who understand their communities build stronger patient relationships
- Improves Continuity: Community-rooted practitioners are more likely to remain in the area
- Enhances Cultural Responsiveness: Diverse providers bring essential cultural competency to healthcare delivery
- Addresses Health Disparities: Targeted focus on underserved populations helps close healthcare gaps
Now Accepting Applications
The program welcomes recent graduates of accredited Family Nurse Practitioner programs who demonstrate:
- Passion for advancing health equity
- Commitment to serving vulnerable populations
- Dedication to community-based healthcare
All applicants are required to complete both the Nurse-OC Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Application and the job posting in AP Recruit.
Apply Today
All applicants are required to complete both the Nurse-OC Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Application and the job posting in AP Recruit.
- Applications Open: Now
- Program Launch: October 2025
- Service Commitment Begins: October 2026
Contact Information
For program inquiries please contact nurseocprogram@hs.uci.edu.
About UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing
The UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing is committed to excellence in nursing education, research, and community service. Through innovative programs like NURSE-OC and now the Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program, we continue to address Orange County’s most pressing healthcare needs while preparing the next generation of nursing leaders.
Explore our community impact initiatives: nursing.uci.edu/community-impact/collaborations/
This program represents the latest evolution in UCI Nursing’s commitment to addressing Orange County’s healthcare needs through innovative education, community partnership, and a steadfast focus on health equity.
