Student Testimonials/Blog

The School of Nursing is developing this site for prospective students who may be interested in learning more about our current and past students. Please check back for updates!

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This is Michael Kam (December 1998 BSN graduate), dropping a quick note from the desert sands of the Middle East. I'm currently working as a flight nurse with the US Air Force Reserves. I do patient transports for injured soldiers, POW's, and displaced Iraqi citizens. We fly them out of harm's way to medical treatment facilities outside of Iraq and also in Europe. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd be doing this while I was back in nursing school. I often think of USF and the good times I had. I'm glad I went to USF for my nursing degree. When I am in the civilian world, I work as assistant nurse manager for the emergency department at Marin General Hospital. Well, just thought I would drop you all a line to say hello and thanks for the education!

Sincerely,

Captain Michael Kam
320 Tactical Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
Camp Wolf

What a gratifying feeling it was when I completed my Bachelor's degree when I transferred to the University of San Francisco and found employers actively pursuing me because of my new skills. It has been so satisfying to see how the time, energy and resources I invested in completing my degree have paid off.

If you are thinking about where to take your career next and you want to take advantage of the employment growth in the Bay Area - USF and the School of Nursing are worth your consideration. When I started the program, it had been years since I was last in the classroom. I felt uneasy with interacting with my co-workers who recently graduated with their BSN's because I felt they knew more than me - and that scared me. But by the time I graduated, I had strong communication skills, was able to interact with others throughout my organization on all levels and was able to enhance my portfolio of skills which in the end helps me better serve my patients. The BSN program provided a strong balance of theory, practical experience, and contemporary nursing knowledge. I also learned how to function successfully as part of a health care team. These skills will enable me to take my career in any number of directions in the future. Its exciting to know that I now have the skills that are needed to take me further in the field of nursing. If you are interested in finding out more about USF and what their programs can do for you, I encourage you to contact the School of Nursing at (415) 422-6681. My BSN degree has opened new doors for me. I wish you the best as you plan for your future and decide what doors to open next.

Sincerely,

Christine, RN, BSN
San Francisco General Hospital

Master's Entry Option

Years after a Bachelor’s degree many of us are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up.  My name is Torane Hull and I was in that exact position.  I received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Creighton University in medical physics and after working in Osteoporosis research for a year, I received an amazing opportunity to teach teenagers with learning disabilities.  This wasn’t an ordinary high school math and science teaching position.  We would travel around the world on two week stints delving into the culture of a region with a group of teenagers ranging from 8th to 12th grade.  Teaching everything from 8th grade math and science to physics and calculus in an applied setting was quite a challenge.  While these travels were amazing, I was offered a position as the business manager of this boarding school.  Allowed the luxury of finding my dream job, I accepted this position in an attempt to find it.  I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that position offered over the years, but my heart yearned to be back in the medical field full-time.  I had been an EMT on a volunteer fire department and a part of a Search and Rescue team for the Sheriff’s department for several years.  The ability to help others in their darkest hours was what drew me to USF. 

After completing the required pre-requisites, the University of San Francisco was at the top of my list.  With the current state of nursing education, the time for a second Bachelor’s degree or even finishing an Associate’s degree program (after the waiting lists!) – a Master’s Entry program turns out to be a similar amount of time.  Although I was lucky enough to have my choice of Nursing Master’s Entry programs, USF won hands down.  Their reputation for producing quality nurses in a challenging, yet nurturing environment was essential for me.  Teaching for those years has subconsciously developed my critical eye when evaluating my professors.  I can honestly say that I have a great respect for the teachers here, and couldn’t have asked for a better learning experience.  The teachers are attentive while teaching skills that lead to confidence and independence.  I am excited to attend classes; learning evidence based nursing skills that will allow me to become a high quality nurse.  I have found the profession that contains my dream job!  How many people do you know dream of that? 

So if you have dreams of nursing, this is the school that will turn that into a reality.  I am confident that my education I am receiving in this program will open many doors for me in the future.  I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Torane Hull
Current MEO Student

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

When I chose the University of San Francisco as the place to pursue my masters, I had a distinct advantage. I already held a BSN from the university. I knew the kind of personal attention I was going to get from the faculty and the difference it would make in how much I would learn and grow through the program.

But, frankly, even I was surprised at how much I benefited from easy access to the graduate faculty, outstanding networking with my fellow students (most of whom are working already in the field of health care) and the close-knit and supportive environment USF creates. These relationships made going to classes and working on projects more enjoyable, but they also brought very tangible career benefits as well. For example, I experienced thought-provoking classes that required, and inspired, me to think outside the box. I mastered the use of interactive learning, team building and participative management techniques that I could immediately apply on the job. And I learned to understand and appreciate diverse communication styles, including my own. These are life skills - abilities that will enable me to help forge innovative solutions at my organization and in many different facets of my personal and professional life. When I was enrolled in the masters program I was working full time, taking two classes a week and always tried to supplement my in-class learning with many of the opportunities USF afforded for extracurricular experience as well. No question it was a busy and challenging time. But it has proven well worth the investment of energy and hours. If you are considering a graduate nursing degree to enhance your career, I hope you will explore the outstanding programs at USF. It could make a significant difference in your career. I wish you good luck as you consider how to take your career to the next level.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth, RN, BSN, MSN
Children's Hospital of Oakland

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