Best nursing schools in Garden Grove, California

California is home to more nurses than any other state in the union. They work in a broad range of healthcare roles, from certified nursing assistant / aide (CNA) to nurse practitioner (NP). Though all nursing roles are represented in California, registered nurses (RNs) make up the largest population of healthcare professionals in the state. More than 250,000 RNs are employed here and they earn top dollar, with an average annual salary of $101,260. The state’s second-largest group of healthcare professionals is CNAs. California is home to nearly 100,000 CNAs who earn approximately $31,000 per year on average.

Local nursing salaries in Garden Grove, California, are impressive as well. The city’s NPs earn an average salary of $113,000 per year, while its RNs take home almost $90,000 annually. Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in Garden Grove earn approximately $50,000 per year, and local CNAs take home $28,800 annually.

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To launch a successful nursing career in Garden Grove, California, you must earn a degree, diploma, or certificate from an accredited nursing school and pass a licensure or certification exam. For example, an aspiring NP must complete a master of science in nursing (MSN), doctor of nursing practice (DNP), or doctor of philosophy (PhD) in nursing program. Certification is also required in a chosen specialty area. Common nurse practitioner specialties include acute, occupational, neonatal, pediatric, adult, geriatric, women's, and family healthcare.

RNs may choose from several prelicensure pathways including a hospital diploma, associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or direct-entry MSN degree. Graduates of any prelicensure program must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) in order to practice in the state of California.

LVNs must complete a state-approved, accredited educational program in vocational nursing. These programs award a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree and typically require one to two years of fulltime study to complete. LVNs must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) in order to practice in the state of California.

CNAs must complete a short training program of classroom instruction and supervised clinical work. These programs are typically 100 hours or so in length. In California, CNA training programs culminate with the state’s mandatory Nurse Assistant Certification Examination.

Many Garden Grove-based nurses completed their degree, diploma, or certificate at a local college or university. The city’s best nursing schools include California Career Institute, which offers CNA and LVN programs, and Concorde Career College, which offers a prelicensure ADN program. California State University in nearby Long Beach offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Graduates are prepared to seek positions at major area healthcare providers like Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, and Anaheim Memorial Medical Center.

If you’re ready to dive into a new nursing career, we’ve compiled below a list of accredited nursing schools in Garden Grove, California, to help you get started.