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California Registered Nursing Schools and Training Programs (RN Schools)

Career Information for Registered Nurses in California

Registered Nurses picture    Registered Nurses image

A registered nurse, or RN, is a licensed medical professional who provides critical treatment and care to sick and injured patients. Registered nurses typically work in hospitals, but can also be found in physicians' offices, home healthcare services or social assistance agencies.

Registered Nursing Schools in California

You can become an RN by earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) from a college or university. You can also get an associate degree at a community college or a diploma from a hospital-based nursing school. Registered nurses who earn a master's degree in nursing (MSN) are known as advanced practice nurses. These nurses can perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as prescribe medication. As a registered nursing student, you can expect to have both classroom education and hands-on clinical experience. Examples of registered nursing coursework include chronic disease management, health assessment, human anatomy, microbiology and nursing studies. Whether online or in a traditional classroom, California RN schools can help you earn your nursing degree or diploma. All states and the District of Columbia require that registered nursing students graduate from an approved program as well as pass a licensing examination (NCLEX-RN). Additional requirements may be necessary depending on your state. Earning a degree from one of the many registered nursing schools in California is a great way to start your nursing career.

Registered Nursing Salaries in California

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of registered nurses is expected to grow much faster than the average--22 percent, or 581,500 new jobs, between 2008 and 2018. With 2.6 million jobs in 2008, registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation. In California, there are 233,030 registered nurses. BLS states that in May 2009, California RNs made an annual median salary of $82,910. Those in the 90th percentile earned $117,330 a year. In California, registered nurses earned the highest median salary in the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside and San Diego. Most RNs can be found in the San Jose area, San Francisco area and Oakland area.

Take a look at the list of RN schools in California to find one that's most convenient for you.

Schools for Registered Nurses in California are listed below.

Selected Registered Nursing Schools in California

These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).

Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

University of Phoenix
Bakersfield, Beale AFB, Chula Vista, Concord, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Elk Grove, Fremont, Fresno, Gardena, Imperial, LaMirada, Laguna Hills, Lancaster, Lathrop, Modesto, Murrieta, Oakland, Ontario, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Pleasanton, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Suisun City, Visalia, Woodland Hills

Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix is dedicated to meeting the needs of working students. Now the largest private university in North America, we offer conveniently located campuses and learning centers as well as a flexible online learning format.

  • Programs: Licensed Practical Nurse To Nursing, Licensed Vocational Nurse To Nursing, MS In Nursing - Nursing/Health Care Education, MS In Nursing(RN Required), MS In Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, ...
  • Degrees/Course Work: Bachelor, Doctorate, Master
(Offerings vary by location; please request additional info.)

Everest College
Ontario

Offers certificate programs, degree programs, and courses in 11 U.S. states with more than 35 locations. Online programs are also available.

  • Programs: Nursing
  • Degrees/Course Work: Diploma

Kaplan College KHE
San Diego

Kaplan College teaches students skills that have relevance in many fast-growing employment areas. Several forms of tuition assistance may be available for qualified enrollees.

  • Programs: Nursing
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate

United States University
National City

Advance your career with a degree from United States University. We offer master’s degrees in nursing and an RN-BSN course at our location in National City, California.

  • Programs: Entry Level Nursing - MSN, Master's Of Science In Nursing, RN To BSN
  • Degrees/Course Work: Bachelor, Master

West Coast University
Anaheim, Los Angeles

Offers undergraduate degree programs in nursing and health care administration. Located in Los Angeles and Anaheim, California

  • Programs: LVN To BSN, LVN To BSN LVN To BSN, Master Of Science In Nursing, Nursing, RN To BSN Bridge
  • Degrees/Course Work: Bachelor, Master
(Offerings vary by location; please request additional info.)

Selected Online Schools for Registered Nurses in California

SchoolLocationsDegreesQuick Info
University of Phoenix OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Walden UniversityOnlineBachelor, Master, Post-Master CertificateGet Info
Grand Canyon UniversityOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
South UniversityOnlineBachelorGet Info
Kaplan University OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Colorado Technical University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
American Sentinel UniversityOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Concord Law SchoolOnlineBachelorGet Info

More California Registered Nursing Schools

School NameCampusHighest AwardEnrolled
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaAssociate13,176
American River CollegeSacramentoAssociate33,821
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterAssociate13,312
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaDoctorate8,084
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldAssociate17,405
Biola UniversityLa MiradaDoctorate & First Professional5,830
Butte CollegeOrovilleAssociate12,228
Cabrillo CollegeAptosAssociate15,114
California Baptist UniversityRiversideMasters3,775
California State University-BakersfieldBakersfieldMasters7,700
California State University-ChicoChicoMasters17,034
California State University-Dominguez HillsCarsonMasters12,082
California State University-East BayHaywardMasters13,124
California State University-FresnoFresnoDoctorate22,383
California State University-FullertonFullertonDoctorate37,130
California State University-Long BeachLong BeachDoctorate36,868
California State University-Los AngelesLos AngelesDoctorate21,051
California State University-NorthridgeNorthridgeDoctorate35,446
California State University-SacramentoSacramentoDoctorate28,829
California State University-San BernardinoSan BernardinoDoctorate17,066
California State University-StanislausTurlockDoctorate8,836
Cerritos CollegeNorwalkAssociate22,273
Chabot CollegeHaywardAssociate13,229
Chaffey CollegeRancho CucamongaAssociate18,736
Citrus CollegeGlendoraAssociate11,467
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoAssociate46,411
College of MarinKentfieldAssociate6,476
College of San MateoSan MateoAssociate10,516
College of the CanyonsSanta ClaritaAssociate17,499
College of the DesertPalm DesertAssociate8,597
College of the RedwoodsEurekaAssociate6,025
College of the SequoiasVisaliaAssociate11,697
College of the SiskiyousWeedAssociate2,782
Contra Costa CollegeSan PabloAssociate7,147
Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua TreeAssociate1,673
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipaAssociate5,382
Cuesta CollegeSan Luis ObispoAssociate10,920
Cypress CollegeCypressAssociate13,592
De Anza CollegeCupertinoAssociate24,115
Dominican University of CaliforniaSan RafaelMasters2,125
East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey ParkAssociate28,889
El Camino CollegeTorranceAssociate24,895
El Camino College-Compton CenterComptonAssociate3,641
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan JoseAssociate8,707
Fresno City CollegeFresnoAssociate21,624
Gavilan CollegeGilroyAssociate6,049
Glendale Community College GlendaleGlendaleAssociate16,827
Golden West CollegeHuntington BeachAssociate13,354
Grossmont CollegeEl CajonAssociate17,359
Hartnell CollegeSalinasAssociate9,890
Holy Names UniversityOaklandMasters1,114
Humboldt State UniversityArcataMasters7,773
Imperial Valley CollegeImperialAssociate8,682
Loma Linda UniversityLoma LindaDoctorate & First Professional4,022
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachAssociate25,536
Los Angeles City CollegeLos AngelesAssociate17,204
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied HealthLos AngelesAssociate279
Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmingtonAssociate8,850
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland HillsAssociate19,526
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos AngelesAssociate6,095
Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos AngelesAssociate13,194
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley GlenAssociate17,264
Los Medanos CollegePittsburgAssociate8,360
Mendocino CollegeUkiahAssociate4,347
Merced CollegeMercedAssociate10,890
Merritt CollegeOaklandAssociate6,944
Mills CollegeOaklandDoctorate1,446
MiraCosta CollegeOceansideAssociate10,682
Mission CollegeSanta ClaraAssociate8,832
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoAssociate18,546
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMontereyAssociate9,238
Moorpark CollegeMoorparkAssociate14,495
Mount Jacinto CollegeSan JacintoAssociate14,197
Mount St Mary's CollegeLos AngelesDoctorate2,366
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnutAssociate29,842
Napa Valley CollegeNapaAssociate7,169
National UniversityLa JollaMasters26,363
Ohlone CollegeFremontAssociate11,083
Pacific Union CollegeAngwinMasters1,363
Palomar CollegeSan MarcosAssociate27,222
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaAssociate26,672
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan DiegoMasters3,480
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierAssociate21,041
Riverside Community CollegeRiversideAssociate30,961
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoAssociate24,596
Saddleback CollegeMission ViejoAssociate18,371
Saint Marys College of CaliforniaMoragaDoctorate3,801
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandDoctorate1,278
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan BernardinoAssociate12,839
San Diego City CollegeSan DiegoAssociate17,013
San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoDoctorate35,695
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoDoctorate30,125
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStocktonAssociate18,668
San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisaliaAssociate892
San Jose State UniversitySan JoseMasters31,906
Santa Ana CollegeSanta AnaAssociate33,514
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta BarbaraAssociate21,632
Santa Monica CollegeSanta MonicaAssociate28,958
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta RosaAssociate25,626
Shasta CollegeReddingAssociate9,102
Sierra CollegeRocklinAssociate18,859
Simpson UniversityReddingMasters1,076
Solano Community CollegeFairfieldAssociate11,163
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert ParkMasters8,770
University of California-DavisDavisDoctorate & First Professional29,796
University of California-Los AngelesLos AngelesDoctorate & First Professional37,476
University of California-San FranciscoSan FranciscoDoctorate & First Professional2,999
University of San DiegoSan DiegoDoctorate7,504
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoDoctorate & First Professional8,714
University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesDoctorate & First Professional33,408
Ventura CollegeVenturaAssociate12,603
Victor Valley CollegeVictorvilleAssociate10,149
West Hills College-LemooreLemooreAssociate3,833
Western University of Health SciencesPomonaDoctorate & First Professional2,254
Yuba CollegeMarysvilleAssociate9,904

Job Popularity in Metro Areas for Registered Nurses

The map below shows job statistics for the career type by metro area, for California. A table below the map shows job popularity and salaries across the state.

Metro Areas Rated for Popularity (as of 2008) for:
Registered Nurses

Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Registered Nurses relative to the population of the city, as of 2008. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A Relative Popularity of 1.0 means that the city has an average number of the particular job, for its population, compared to the rest of the US. Higher numbers mean proportionally more jobs of that type.
Metro AreaJobsSalary
(2008)
Relative
Popularity

CALIFORNIA

   
Madera1,310$73,1602.2
Hanford800$81,7001.7
Chico1,640$80,2901.3
Vallejo3,010$85,0401.3
Napa1,430$88,9701.3
Yuba City790$64,3901.2
Modesto3,040$86,6901
Visalia2,310$103,6600.9
San Diego24,380$78,8800.9
Santa Rosa3,200$83,8600.9
San Luis Obispo1,660$77,4100.9
Stockton3,590$75,2900.9
Oakland17,410$96,1500.9
Riverside20,790$75,0200.8
Santa Cruz1,300$88,0100.8
Fresno5,190$77,6300.8
San Jose14,590$104,4000.8
Sacramento13,920$84,6300.8
Salinas2,300$87,7900.8
Oxnard4,560$73,3700.8
San Francisco15,370$96,7000.8
El Centro660$69,4000.8
Santa Ana22,670$76,0400.7
Santa Barbara2,250$81,3000.7
Redding760$76,0200.6
Bakersfield2,990$74,7900.6
Employment For:
All JobsRegistered Nurses > California

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