List of accredited nursing schools in the San Francisco Bay metro area, California

What does it take to become a registered nurse (RN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or nursing assistant (CNA) in the San Francisco Bay metro area? Because RNs must perform a variety of challenging tasks – including administering treatments and medication, establishing care plans, and operating complex medical equipment – hospitals and healthcare providers require an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or master of science in nursing (MSN). Many employers prefer a BSN or MSN degree.

Some of the top employers for RNs in the San Francisco Bay area are hospitals and healthcare providers. These include John Muir Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center, and Mills-Peninsula Health Services.

LVNs and CNAs must also meet education requirements. LVNs measure and record vital signs, prepare and give injections, and collect samples for testing. To prepare, they must complete a certificate or associate’s degree program in licensed vocational nursing, typically requiring 12 to 24 months of study. CNAs clean and bathe patients, assist with dressing and eating, and check vital signs. They must complete an accredited training program and obtain certification.

Graduates of RN, LVN, or CNA programs in California will join a considerable community of nursing professionals that enjoy the highest salaries in the field. The San Francisco Bay metro area is home to 34,710 RNs averaging $129,750 per year, 6,430 LVNs averaging $61,480 per year, and 11,480 CNAs averaging $36,100 per year. All of these salaries are significantly higher than the national averages for each role.

The following is a list of accredited nursing schools in California’s San Francisco Bay metro area that offer top-tier education programs in all areas of this lucrative field.