sacramento, ca - her college transcript represents, for most students, something out of a dream: all a's and b's, a 3.62 gpa.
melissa bradford worked to reach that high mark with one goal in mind -- to be accepted into the sacramento state university school of nursing.
but even a 3.62 gpa -- and more importantly, a 3.77 in nursing-specific classes -- has not been good enough.
"it's been very frustrating," said bradford. "i can't even begin to describe the frustrations."
the 22-year-old, fifth-year student at sacramento state has been a volunteer at mercy west hospital, a type of extracurricular activity that is welcomed by nursing schools to help improve candidacy for admission.
she also claims to have scored a 91 out of 100 on the teas exam, a test that factors heavily into the chances for acceptance into nursing school.
"i really couldn't be doing any better than i am right now," said bradford. "i have worked so hard to get where i am right now and i really have nothing to show for it."
bradford said she has applied to the sac state school of nursing three times in two years. she has received three denials.
now, she is applying for a fourth time. with even better grades, she is more confident, but guaranteed of nothing. her story is symbolic of the challenges faced by nurse-hopefuls across california.
california's nursing demand fueled by deteriorating circumstances
"it's a huge problem," said joanne spetz, a professor at uc san francisco specializing in health economics. "there have been cycles of surplus and shortage (in the nursing work force) since world war ii, but none of them has lasted as long as this one."
there are a number of reasons why. the baby-boom generation is aging, requiring more healthcare. also, much of the california nursing workforce is nearing retirement: as of 2006, 45 percent were over 50 years old. only 17 percent were under the age of 35.
"and (there are) not enough nursing school slots to even educate the young people," said spetz.
that is likely the main problem facing people like melissa bradford.
"so many people want to be a nurse now that there's just not enough room in the classroom and the hospitals to accommodate all those people," said bradford.
her theory is more than personal opinion. recent data indicates that nursing classrooms are filling up faster, and the fight to get in is tougher than ever.
in the sacramento region, at least three colleges -- american river, chico state and yuba -- report significant jumps in nursing school applications since 2004.
"we're hearing of people waiting two years before they get to the top of a (nursing school) waiting list," said spetz.
no clear path to improved conditions
the solution may seem obvious: hire more teachers, open up more classrooms, educate more nurses. it is not that simple.
"many of the schools don't even have the money to hire somebody," said spetz.
while nurse salaries are increasingly attractive -- about $73,000 a year on average for those who work in a hospital -- many nursing school teachers aren't paid nearly that much. most universities and community colleges cannot afford to pay it.
that is perhaps the biggest challenge posed by california's nursing shortage.
colleges must convince well-paid, experienced nurses to step out of the hospital, away from a great income, and into the classroom, where they're so desperately needed to teach future nurses.
schools need people who not only can afford to take a pay-cut, but who also have a passion for teaching.
vanessa alvillar believes she might fall into that category.
"being a nursing instructor, i think it'd be wonderful to do that," said alvillar, a nurse at uc davis med center in sacramento.
she's in a position where she might one day be able to cut back hospital hours and salary for hours in the classroom.
"it depends," she said. "if you're in a double-income home, to where your husband is making good money, it could be an option for you. and if it's your passion, i don't think people will go into it for the money."
spetz's research paints a different picture.
state-wide funding increase needed?
"number one is, you gotta keep money in the game," said spetz.
"you have to have the money available so that nursing schools can hire faculty, can do clinical training, and can do what they do."
in 2008, the california legislature appropriated $51.3 million to state nursing schools. but in the wake of a legendary state budget crisis and cash shortfall, there's no telling how much funding will be there for nursing schools in the coming years.
according to spetz, a third of the money for state nursing schools comes from grants that will expire.
"there's gotta be some way to come up with permanent funding," said spetz.
until there is, the stories like that of melissa bradford will likely continue. to those who may be thinking of starting down the nursing school path, bradford has a warning.
"it's absolutely essential that you do well," she said. "you can't screw up, not once."
for her, "screwing up" meant one semester of all b's, knocking her gpa out of the 3.8-4.0 range.
bradford wishes someone would have warned her how easy it is to fall before she had to learn the hard way.
