Clinical Instructor Internship Program

The Clinical Instructor Interns will apply and be admitted to one or more clinical areas of focus based on their individual background and teaching interests.  Examples of areas of focus available include:  Adult acute care, obstetrics, pediatrics, community health, geriatrics, and mental health/psychiatric nursing. 

View a sample of the areas of focus available at UC Davis and our nursing school partners in Northern California

The Clinical Instructor Internship is offered three times each year.  Each session’s nursing course options vary, which may impact the session’s end date. 

• Winter/Spring: Jan. 22 – Apr. 25, 2025*
• Summer: June 17 – Sep. 12, 2025
• Fall: Sep. 16 – Dec. 20, 2025**

*May conclude up to 1 week earlier or be extended for 1-2 weeks depending on clinical schedules

**May conclude up to 1 week earlier depending on clinical schedules 

Time Commitment

Clinical instructor interns are expected to:

• Spend 36-40 hours per week on program activities for the duration of the 14-week internship 
• Attend all required activities, including multi-day sessions for onsite orientation and program conclusion 
• Have availability for any day of the week to accommodate the clinical schedule
  • Once we have your clinical assignment, it will follow the scheduled rotations for the academic institution and associated course for the duration of the program. In general, we anticipate the program will require at least 36 hours per week. 
• Complete at least 90 hours with an experienced Clinical Instructor preceptor
• Please note: Program participants are not granted vacation time during the internship.   

Stipend

Participants will receive a $14,000 stipend for completion of the internship. Two payments are made after the mid-point of the program and after completion of the program, once all documentation of requirements has been submitted. 

Benefits

• Benefits (e.g., health and welfare benefits) are not available through this program.  However, there are need-based supportive funds available to assist participants.  
• A dependent care and transportation allowance is available if eligibility criteria are met. Contact RETAIN@ucdavis.edu for more details. 

Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Certification 

Participants who successfully complete the program will be eligible to sit for the NLN Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) certification once they have achieved 3 years of experience required. The costs associated with the prep course and exam are covered by the internship program. 

Schedule 
View a sample of the program schedule

Travel

Travel to UC Davis’s Sacramento campus at least twice during the 14-week program is required. Interns will also need to travel to teaching sites for in-person clinical education that may be geographically distant from the intern’s home. Reimbursement for travel expenses may be available based on eligibility criteria. 

Applicants must:

• Have a valid, current, unrestricted, and active RN license through the California Board of Registered Nursing  
• Have a BSN or MSN degree or complete it by the start of the internship  
  
  • We may have exceptions for some ADN graduates who have appropriate clinical experience and meet waiver requirements.
• Have at least one (1) year of continuous full-time experience as an RN within the last 5 years
• Be able to participate in all learning activities during the 14-week timeframe
• Must meet the clinical requirements of the health care organization (e.g., hospital) including current immunizations, background check, HIPAA training, etc.

Applicants cannot:

• Work full-time in a paid employment arrangement. Part-time, per diem, temporary, contract, or agency employment that is not full-time (full time = 1.0 FTE) during the internship period is allowed but not recommended due to the full-time nature of the program
• Have already earned a doctoral degree
• Be a current employee of UC Davis

The information below provides details pertaining to the selection of the 2025 cohorts.

• Applications for any of the three 2025 sessions (Winter/Spring, Summer, Fall) can be submitted any time prior to the deadlines posted below.  
• Applicants are selected on a rolling admissions basis.   
• Applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 7-10 business days of the date they submit a complete application. 
• Applicants can apply for more than one session, if desired, and may be offered admission to more than one session, allowing them to select their session of choice. 

Applications close at midnight PT* on:

• Winter/Spring: Dec. 8, 2024
• Summer: Apr. 27, 2025
• Fall: July 27, 2025

See Program Dates tab for 2025 session dates.

*The application period may be extended only if space is available. 

Application Components

• Completed online application 
• Cover letter describing your nursing experience, your goals as an educator and why you are interested in this program
• Curriculum vitae or comprehensive resume  
• Statement of diversity and inclusion (one paragraph limit); refer to the Faculty Equity and Inclusion webpage for guidance
• Names, titles and email addresses of two references (RN clinical supervisors or nurse leaders with knowledge of your skills and work performance in the previous two years)
• Interviews will not be conducted for this program; however, a pre-admission meeting to clarify application elements may be requested or offered by the program.

*Applications submitted after the general deadline may be considered if there is space available.  

Contact RETAIN@ucdavis.edu for more information about this program.