Masters Entry Program Student Resources

The MEPN program is an accelerated, time-intensive program that requires a flexible schedule, especially for clinical rotations. Some students are able to find flexible part-time work that can function around their coursework in MEPN, but all students should note that Nursing Science courses and requirements should come first before any outside work. Students looking for employment at UCI as an Academic Student Employee or other campus positions should view the policies related to graduate employment (https://grad.uci.edu/funding/employment/), noting that students may not work more than 50% time when employed by the university.

Some students are able to find and secure TAships while in the MEPN program, but these cases are not common. The School of Nursing does not offer MEPN students TAships for Nursing Science courses, so it is up to the individual student to find and secure a TAship within a department on campus. It is not recommended that students pursue a TAship during their first quarter as they are adjusting to graduate-level nursing courses.

Students are required to follow guidelines for Professional Attire as outlined in the Student Handbook. Students will receive information for ordering official scrubs during orientation in the summer before starting the program. Students are also expected to abide by guidelines for professional attire in simulated clinical settings and when practicing clinical skills. Students may reach out to their professors before the start of class if they are unclear whether or not scrubs are required.

Clinical rotations start in Winter Quarter of Year One of the program and continue for the remainder of the program through preceptorship in the final quarter. Every effort is made to notify students of clinical rotation assignments as soon as possible, but each quarter that timeline will vary as the School of Nursing works with different departments at different hospitals. Students should plan to have as much flexibility in their schedules during clinical rotations as possible.

The School of Nursing works with a variety of hospitals and organizations across Orange County. The specific location that you are assigned to will depend on the type of rotation and the current agreements for that quarter. You will find out more information about your location when you receive your clinical rotation assignment.

Yes. The White Coat Ceremony is an annual event designed to celebrate all incoming Third Year/Junior Nursing Science students and first year MEPN students. The ceremony usually takes place on the first day of the Fall quarter. During the event, students officially receive their white coat which signals that students are ready for their clinical rotations.

Yes, you can invite your family and friends to the ceremony. It is a free, private event and tickets are required, but the number of guest tickets per student are limited. Details will be sent out to students in late Summer/early Fall.

Nursing Science students will attend UCI Commencement along with other students in the College of Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Nursing will hold a separate Pinning Ceremony that signifies the completion of the Nursing program.

Graduating from the Nursing Science program will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam will earn their RN license in the state of California. Applying to take the NCLEX-RN exam is the responsibility of the student. Students receive detailed information about how to sign up to take the NCLEX-RN exam during the Spring quarter of their final year in the program.