Nursing at UC San Diego Health: The Power of Nursing Excellence
UC San Diego Health is a Magnet With Distinction-accredited hospital system offering a nationally acclaimed team of health care physicians and nurses who deeply care for our patients and their loved ones.
We're an academic hospital with the most current research and distinguished faculty. The nursing team at UC San Diego Health is first in class and it plays a vital role in providing exceptional patient care and cultivating an organizational culture base on our core values of Quality, Caring, Integrity, Creativity and Teamwork.
Career-driven health care professionals and aspiring new graduates are drawn to UC San Diego Health's commitment to our team members' continuous education, personal growth and professional development.
Find a Nursing Job at UC San Diego Health
Magnet With Distinction Designation
UC San Diego has held Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) since 2011. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice. In 2026, UC San Diego Health received Magnet With Distinction status, considered the gold standard in nursing excellence for health care organizations. At the time of the achievement, the health system was one of approximately 10 in California with the Magnet With Distinction status.
Patients and families may rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing. Developed by the ANCC, Magnet is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide. In addition to Magnet With Distinction status, UC San Diego Health received seven examplars for specific nursing standards.
Please note: The current sites included in UC San DIego Health's Magnet With Distinction designation are Hillcrest Medical Center, Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, and UC San Diego Health ambulatory clinic locations. East Campus Medical Center is not designated Magnet at this time.
Nursing Programs, Opportunities and Resources
Clinical Leadership
Our Chief Clinical Officer Margarita Baggett, RN, MSN, is a highly accomplished nursing leader with extensive experience in quality management, service excellence, staff recruitment and retention and regulatory affairs.
A Wharton Fellow from the Nurse Executive Management Program, Baggett has a Master of Science from Adelphi University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Molloy College.
A Lifelong Fan Gets Her Moment on the Field
Kim Plale, a longtime East Campus Medical Center employee before it was UC San Diego Health, was honored at a Padres game at Petco Park for her service.
UC San Diego Health Celebrates Top Docs Recognized in the Region
San Diego Magazine’s annual peer survey recognizes more than 100 UC San Diego Health physicians for providing the highest quality patient care.
Catheryn Yashar Named President-Elect of National Society
Catheryn Yashar, MD, has been named president-elect of the American Society of Radiation Oncology, which represents more than 10,000 members internationally.