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by C.J. Gustafson
Nursing Schools.com Contributing Writer
July 22nd, 2005

In the early 1800s, the Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga named the Sacramento Valley and the Sacramento River and for the Spanish word for "holy sacrament." The Nisenan Indians lived in the Sacramento Valley for 10,000 years before any other settlers arrived, but by 1833, their population had been significantly diminished by a smallpox epidemic.

Gold, Transportation, and Westward Expansion Contribute To Sacramento's Growth
In 1839 Johann Augustus Sutter received a 48,000-acre land grant of Mexican California from Governor Alvarado of Mexico and built the adobe trading post known as Sutter's Fort at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. When James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, which was located about 30 miles northeast of the fort, Sutter's settlement became an important supply center for fortune seekers and pioneers drawn to the West.

The City of Sacramento was founded in 1849, and is the oldest incorporated city in California. It was named the capital of the state in 1854 and began to grow even more rapidly. In 1860, the city became the western end of the Pony Express and three years later the First Transcontinental Railroad began construction in Sacramento. Traffic along the river also increased as people and consumer goods traveled to and from other parts of the country.

Transportation became an important industry in the city, and remains so today. In 1963, after many years of planning and construction, a 43-mile channel cut from the Sacramento River to Lake Washington opened and established a deep water port in the city, providing another means of transporting the agricultural goods produced in the fertile Sacramento Valley.

Today, over 400,000 people live in Sacramento with nearly two million in the metropolitan area, which includes portions of several surrounding counties. Located 90 miles northeast of San Francisco at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the city is inland, away from the seismic activity of the coastal area, which makes it appealing to those who enjoy the California area and lifestyle but not the earthquakes.

Modern Technology & Medicine Make Their Mark On Today's Economy
In recent years, an increase in technological and medical industries has also attracted new residents. As described by the City of Sacramento Economic Development Department "California's capital city is home to high tech manufacturers, software developers, biotechnology and medical research laboratories, food processors, medical equipment manufacturers, call centers and distribution facilities."

The greater Sacramento area also has over 15 hospitals. One of the most well known is the UC Davis Medical Center, which provides a Level 1 trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment center, children's hospital, neuromuscular skeletal institute, and transplant services.

The hospital facility has 530 licensed beds. The medical center also operates five free student-run clinics for specific medically underserved populations. And with a nursing staff comprised entirely of Registered Nurses (RNs) the medical center is one of only 100 hospitals nationwide to earn the Magnet Nursing Center of Excellence designation.

Sutter Health is one of the nation's leading not-for-profit networks of hospitals, doctors, nurses and other health care services, and is one of Sacramento's largest employers. Sutter operates a handful of hospitals and medical centers in the Sacramento area including the Sutter Cancer Center.

Other hospitals in the area include Mercy General Hospital, Woodland Healthcare, and the Shriners Hospital for children. Like many areas of the country, Sacramento is experiencing a nursing shortage, and these hospitals, -- along with area clinics, nursing homes, and other health care businesses -- have a need for applicants with training and certification in nursing and related fields. The large number of health care institutions and the favorable employment environment are two important reasons students choose to study in Sacramento.

California's Capital City Provides Unique Opportunities
Robyn M. Nelson, DNSc, RN, is a professor and Chair of the Division of Nursing at California State University-Sacramento. She provided another compelling reason why many students choose to study nursing in California's capital city. "Our proximity to the government center provides exciting and unique opportunities to influence health care policy and delivery," Nelson pointed out. Students can join community action and medical organizations, sit in on legislative sessions, work with lobbyist groups, and participate in other activities that help impact health care legislation.

The presence of quality educational facilities with innovative and flexible learning environments is yet another reason why Sacramento is a popular choice for nursing students. In addition to California State University, the list of Sacramento schools and departments that offer nursing training and degrees includes Sacramento City College, Nursing Programs, American River College, Nursing (one of several schools in Los Rios Community College District)

Students at these schools can study a wide variety of different nursing specialties including Midwifery, Critical Care Nursing, Hospice Care Nursing, Forensic Nursing, and Nursing Informatics. They can train to become a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, or Legal Nurse. Or they can study related fields in order to pursue careers such as health care administrator.

There's More To Life Than School
When it's time for a break from studying, students in Sacramento have a wide variety of ways to blow off steam. With both the American and the Sacramento Rivers contributing to over 1000 miles of waterways in the Sacramento area, many activities revolve around the water. Rafting, boating, fishing, and tubing are popular recreational pursuits. The nearby mountains are another area favorite, offering hiking, camping, skiing, and similar types of outdoor fun.

There are hundreds of restaurants, shops, nightclubs, theaters, museums, spas, parks, historic sites, and other fun ways to relax and socialize after a long week of hitting the books. And with many of California's major attractions within easy driving distance, there's always something to do and somewhere to go.

All of these aspects come together to make Sacramento a popular choices for people interested in pursuing training and employment in the nursing and health care field. Perhaps it's right for you as well.