The NEST Program is a unique research training opportunity designed for post-baccalaureate nursing students who are curious about research and interested in improving health through scientific discovery. NEST introduces participants to clinical and translational research while providing the mentorship, skills, and hands-on experience needed to explore future PhD and research careers.
Through an engaging combination of interactive learning, faculty mentorship, and experiential research, NEST empowers post-baccalaureate clinical nurses as they explore opportunities to engage in clinical research and pursue PhD-level research careers.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the NEST Program, participants will be able to:
- Participate in ongoing clinical research opportunities
- Explain the principles of clinical and translational science and the role of nurse scientists in advancing healthcare.
- Describe the research process, including study design, ethics, data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
- Apply principles of community-engaged research to address real-world health challenges.
- Develop foundational skills in scientific communication, including abstracts, presentations, and scholarly writing.
- Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary research teams and faculty mentors.
- Gain practical experience by contributing to an ongoing research project or completing an independent research experience.
- Identify pathways to research-focused graduate education, including PhD programs and careers in clinical and translational science.
- Develop an individualized research career development plan with guidance from faculty mentors and peers.
Program Delivery
NEST combines the flexibility of virtual learning with meaningful in-person engagement to create an interactive and supportive learning environment.
The program begins with a one-day, in-person orientation where participants meet faculty mentors, build relationships with their cohort, and are introduced to the foundations of translational research.
Following orientation, participants complete a *10-week primarily virtual summer program (10-week summer program will not be offered in cohort 1) delivered through Zoom that includes:
- Approximately 3 hours per week of interactive seminars, workshops, and research-focused learning activities.
- Approximately 1 hour per week dedicated to community building, peer networking, mentoring, and professional development.
- Independent and mentored research activities conducted with faculty mentors throughout the summer.
The program is designed to accommodate students while providing regular opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and skill development.
Program Structure
Each summer, NEST selects a cohort of 10 motivated post-baccalaureate clinical nurses who are interested in exploring research careers.
Participants receive:
- Individual mentorship from a UCSF School of Nursing faculty researcher.
- Hands-on research experience through participation in an active research project or the development of an independent scholarly project.
- Interactive instruction in clinical and translational science, research methods, and community-engaged research.
- Professional development workshops focused on:
- Grant writing
- Scientific presentations
- Abstract and manuscript development
- Research communication
- Career planning and preparation for doctoral education
Learning continues beyond the summer through ongoing monthly mentor and cohort meetings that provide continued career guidance, networking opportunities, and support as participants prepare for future research training.
*10-week summer program will not be offered in cohort 1