The path to a nursing career in California begins with the proper education and training at an accredited nursing school. California is home to the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country and requires licensing, registration and/or certification, and continuing education for all nursing career paths. The most common nursing career paths include registered nurse (RN), certified nursing assistant (CNA), and licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
Registered nurses comprise the nation’s largest healthcare occupation, with a growing population of more than 2.7 million nationwide and over 250,000 employed in the state of California alone. California-based RNs earn a median salary of $94,310 per year. Expected employment growth for RNs overall is 19% for the 2012-2022 decade.
Licensed vocational nurses belong to a group of more than 730,000 professionals across the country. The state of California employs 61,050 LVNs at a median salary of $51,620 per year. Expected employment growth for LVNs is 25% for the 2012-2022 decade.
We've compiled below a comprehensive list of California schools offering accredited nursing programs, organized by metropolitan area.