Santa Barbara City College plays a critical role in preparing nursing graduates for our local healthcare community. The two nursing programs at SBCC prepare Registered nurses (Associate degree in Nursing) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (Certificate and associate degree in Vocational Nursing) to practice the art and science of nursing.
SBCC nursing students have access to outstanding academic instruction, a high- fidelity simulation lab, and clinical practicum in our local health care facilities. Clinical partnerships with local hospitals, clinics, home health and skilled nursing facilities provide students with diverse learning opportunities.
“Our relationship with Cottage Hospital and the nurses and clinical instructors that they provide us has been extremely beneficial, with lots of hands-on learning,” says James Hanna, who is in the RN program.
Serving the community
Hanna has always wanted his career to involve serving others.
“I get to help people in their time of need, to provide them with the sort of care that can’t be provided by everyone else,” he said. “I have the honor to be able to do that and be there for them.”
Ireland Cullum, who is in SBCC’s vocational nursing program, also wants to help others. She was a chemistry major in college when it dawned on her that she could use her love of science to serve.
“I just thought how amazing that is that I can learn how the human body works and really understand it and also care for other people and give back to the community,” Cullum said.
Becoming a nurse means learning a skill set that will always be valued.
“I think there are a lot of different volunteer opportunities and ways to give back,” Cullum said. “We can even give back to our families with this knowledge and really advocate for the people that we love like we advocate for patients.”
Career opportunities
There is high demand in California for both of RNs and LVNs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for registered nurses between 2020 and 2030, with employment projected to grow 9%. Employment of licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Serving the community as a nurse can take many education pathways, and in a multitude of settings and specialties.
“There are endless opportunities, and the only limitation with nursing is yourself,” Cullum said. “You can go as far as you want to with understanding and giving back to the community.”
Additionally, nursing can offer job security and good pay.
“It’s a practical and very sustainable job,” Hanna said. “It is a hard job, but it pays well generally.”
SBCC makes a point of helping students find opportunities.
“The program helped me secure a job in the hospital and become familiar with the professional community during nursing school, and that’s personally helped me a lot,” Hanna said. “It’s led me to make a lot of connections in the local nursing community as well as some really good lifelong friends.”
Support for students
The School of Nursing at SBCC has a long tradition of excellence with a laser focus on student success. The faculty is committed to welcoming and celebrating the differences of the students, ensuring individualized resources and support, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment
“Nursing is a team effort,” Hanna said, “and so is preparing students for a career in nursing.”
“We received invaluable support from instructors who work in the medical field and share their real-world experiences, something that isn’t available in every nursing program,” Cullum said.
“It’s much more than passing your exams,” she said. “It’s understanding what it means to be a really, really good nurse.”
The support and opportunities through SBCC have made all the difference to Cullum.
“I would encourage anybody who’s thinking about becoming a nurse to give it a try,” she said. “I’m really proud of myself and my fellow students. I’m so proud of what we’re doing.”
