Pursuing a career as a registered nurse in California provides the opportunity to work in one of the nation’s largest healthcare markets, where nurses enjoy competitive salaries and a strong demand.
Education & Training
- Bakersfield
- Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton
- Canyon Country
- San Francisco
- Garden Grove, North Hollywood, San Bernardino, San Diego
- Susanville
- Long Beach
- Stockton
- Bakersfield, Delano, Fresno, Hesperia, Lancaster, Salida, Ontario, Porterville, Rancho Cordova, Temecula, Visalia, Sacramento, San Leandro, Santa Maria, Rancho Mirage
- North Hollywood, Ontario, Anaheim, Los Angeles
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College’s Registered Nursing (RN) Program offers an Associate of Science degree that prepares students to become competent RNs through a combination of classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience, typically completed in two years. The program is ACEN-accredited and qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, with additional pathways for LVNs, military-trained applicants, and transfer students. Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and other healthcare settings, or to pursue a BSN through transfer agreements with universities like CSU Bakersfield.
Carrington College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
2 year Associate Degree in Nursing program that will help you pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Charter College (Rating: 3.2 out 5)
19 month AAS in Nursing Program in hybrid format that combines classroom & online learning.
City College of San Francisco (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
City College of San Francisco’s Registered Nursing program combines classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations in local healthcare facilities to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles. This program typically leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), qualifying graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Successful completion enables graduates to pursue careers as registered nurses in diverse healthcare settings or continue toward a BSN through partner transfer programs.
Concorde Career College (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
Numerous nursing program options to prepare students for careers in healthcare.
Lassen Community College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
Long Beach City College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Long Beach City College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program prepares students to become entry-level registered nurses through a student-centered curriculum that emphasizes safety, collaboration, and compassionate care. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), the program equips graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and meet the evolving needs of the healthcare community. This degree provides the foundation for immediate employment or further nursing education.
San Joaquin Delta College (Rating: 4.1 out 5)
San Joaquin Delta College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is a two-year, four-semester sequence taken after completing prerequisites, leading to an Associate of Science in Nursing. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam for California RN licensure, with recent first-time pass rates of 92.06% and a program completion rate of 99%. The ACEN-accredited program trains students for diverse healthcare roles in hospitals, long-term care, schools, and other medical settings.
San Joaquin Valley College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
West Coast University (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
Associate Degree in Nursing (among other related programs) offered online and on-campus.
There are 4 educational pathways to become an RN in California.
From the Web site of the CBRN these pathways include:
1. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Takes 2-3 years. Offered at many community colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings.
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Takes 4 years. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree. Offered at many California State Universities and some private colleges.
Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions.
3. Masters Entry Level Program in Nursing
Designed for adults who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and wish to become registered nurses. Takes 1-2 years depending on how many nursing course prerequisites you have already completed. Graduate receives a master’s degree.
4. LVN 30 Unit Option
Designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become registered nurses. Takes approximately 18-24 months.
No degree is granted upon completion. Most other states do not recognize California’s LVN 30 Unit Option and will not issue RN licenses to these LVNs.
Some LVNs prefer to complete an ADN program in order to obtain a degree and to have the flexibility to get an RN license in other states. Most ADN programs will give LVNs credit for some of the coursework they completed to become an LVN.
California RN Requirements
As per the California Board of Registered Nurses (CBRN) all candidates interested in becoming RNs in the state must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma.
Accreditation
Students must also graduate from a program of study accredited by the California State Board and the The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
The CNEA is the agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the official accreditation agency of RN training programs.
Accreditation provides verification that the school has met strict standards set by the CNEA and the CBRN with regard to curriculum, faculty background, practicum experiences, support services and job placement.
The CBRN also provides a great set of resources for individuals interested in a career in nursing.
Licensure
To work as an RN in California, candidates must obtain a license from the CBRN. To be licensed, candidates must meet the educational requirements as stated above, pass a national licensing examination, as well as a criminal background check.
NCLEX-RN Exam
Candidates for RN licensure are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN).
The NLEX is a national, standard multiple-choice type examination for entry-level RN candidates. The test was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and places greater emphasis on nursing practice than theoretical knowledge.
Specifically, the test focuses on those duties that are expected to be carried out entry-level staff nurses and assesses competency in terms of patient care and medical knowledge.
Career Overview
What Do They Do?
In these times of rising health care expenses, many hospital administrators and private doctors have come to recognize that nursing professionals are able to provide a high quality of patient care in a cost savings manner.
Job Duties
While a Registered Nurse (RN) may be employed in a variety of health care settings, specific duties depend on experience and education.
Common Responsibilities include:
- Update and maintain patient charts, reports, and medical records
- Monitor and record any symptoms or changes in the patient’s condition
- Record patient vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
- Record patient’s medical history
- Collaborate with other health care providers to assess and implement patient care plans
- Notify doctor of physician assistant of any major changes to patient’s condition and change treatment plan as directed.
- Order and interpret various medical tests to identify underlying causes of medical conditions
- Educate patients with regard to preventative care and the importance of nutrition and exercise to foster health and wellness
- Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the patient’s care including nutrition and exercise
- Supervise licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and nurses aids.
- Perform basic physical exams and triage emergency room patients..
- Dispense medication as prescribed by physician or physician assistant.
A Master’s Degree can also help nurses specialize in such areas as pediatrics, oncology, obstetrics, critical care and gerontology, and home care.
Salary of RNs
Below are some average salaries and hourly wages for LPNs in areas of the state.
| State | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $58.92 | $122,540.00 |
| Chico | $62.49 | $129,980.00 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode | $61.39 | $127,700.00 |
| El Centro | $53.67 | $111,620.00 |
| Fresno | $64.32 | $133,780.00 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $58.39 | $121,440.00 |
| Merced | $59.80 | $124,380.00 |
| Modesto | $69.80 | $145,190.00 |
| Napa | $79.89 | $166,180.00 |
| North Coast Region | $62.26 | $129,500.00 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains | $62.80 | $130,610.00 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $61.16 | $127,210.00 |
| Redding | $62.14 | $129,250.00 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $62.17 | $129,310.00 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade | $74.29 | $154,510.00 |
| Salinas | $65.28 | $135,780.00 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $64.32 | $133,790.00 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $83.83 | $174,370.00 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $82.11 | $170,780.00 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $67.58 | $140,560.00 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $67.73 | $140,880.00 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $60.25 | $125,310.00 |
| Santa Rosa | $73.52 | $152,930.00 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $66.55 | $138,420.00 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $82.51 | $171,620.00 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $58.19 | $121,030.00 |
Occupation:Registered Nurses(SOC Code291141)
source: data.bls.gov
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of RNs is expected to grow at a much faster rate of growth than the average of most other occupations.
According to the BLS, the areas where the greatest growth will be seen are:
- Private Physician offices: 48%
- Home Health Care: 33%
- Nursing Care Facilities: 25%
- Employment Services: 24%