We've organized a comprehensive list of California nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LVN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major California city.
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).
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and other medical staff. CNAs clean and bathe patients; assist patients with dressing and using the restroom; position patients in beds, chairs or wheelchairs; serve meals and assist the patient with eating; and check the patient’s vital signs. Depending on the level of training and the state, some nursing assistants administer medication. In the state of California this is permitted, but it must be done under the direct supervision of a physician.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) care for the sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, and physicians. They measure and record vital signs, dress wounds, prepare and give injections, monitor catheters, give alcohol rubs and massages, collect samples for testing, and clean and monitor medical equipment. LVNs gather information from patients for physicians and insurance purposes, they teach family members how to care for patients, and some even help deliver, care for, and feed infants.
Registered nurses (RNs) treat patients; perform diagnostic tests and analyze results; administer various types of treatment and medications; operate medical equipment; start, maintain, and discontinue intravenous (IV) lines; establish care plans; and educate patients and the public about various medical conditions. Some RNs may even run health screening and immunization clinics, blood drives, or public seminars on conditions. In order to gain entry into this demanding career field, all states require education, training, and licensure to become an RN.
California is home to 97,420 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), 61,050 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and a whopping 252,940 registered nurses (RNs). Although these professionals reside in every city across the state, the largest populations are found in Los Angeles County. Home to 31,030 CNAs, 20,010 LVNs, and 69,610 RNs, LA County offers some of the best career opportunities and the nation’s highest salaries for nursing professionals. As of 2013, Los Angeles County-based RNs averaged $92,230 per year, LVNs averaged $51,340 per year, and CNAs averaged $27,330 per year.
The cost of nursing school depends on a wide variety of factors including the type of school you attend (public vs. private), the type of program you choose (certificate vs. degree program), where you live (state resident vs. non-resident), and whether you commute or live on campus. With this in mind, aspiring nursing professionals can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000+ per semester for tuition fees.
The state of California is home to some of the nation’s most prestigious private schools. Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and University of Southern California are just a few. Many of the state’s top private schools are also home to some of America’s best nursing schools. Besides an excellent reputation and prominent programs in specialized fields such as nursing, many of these private schools offer more personalized attention than public schools thanks to smaller class sizes.
The state of California is home to the nation's top public university: University of California, Berkeley. Several other public California colleges are among the top 25 in the nation, and many are home to some of America’s best nursing schools. Choosing a public nursing school education in the state offers benefits that go beyond reputation. For starters, public universities in the state (and across the US) cost less.
While employers often prefer to hire nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree for more advanced roles, an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) can prepare you for the state licensing exam and provide the skills needed to provide care in a number of introductory settings. Many aspiring nursing professionals choose this path because an ADN takes less time to complete than a BSN. In fact, according to the California Board of Registered Nursing, a BSN requires four years of study while an ADN may be completed in just two to three years.
Did you know that most employers in the state of California (and across the nation) prefer to hire nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree? In fact, hundreds of hospitals throughout the U.S. say the minimum acceptable education requirement for their nurses is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.