The Golden State doesn’t just offer beaches and sunny weather to those in the nursing profession — it also offers a bright future with numerous opportunities. According to the California Health Care Foundation, there are over 300,000 registered nurses working in California, which makes nursing one of the largest health professions in the state.
Nurses in California can find work in a variety of environments, with the majority of them working in acute, ambulatory, and long-term care settings. Other places nurses find employment in California include mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and public health facilities. For more information on the landscape for nurses in California, as well as the training these professionals need to practice nursing, continue reading this page.
Best Nursing Schools in California
In order for nurses to deliver quality care, they need to receive quality training. Whether hopeful nurses want to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, the rankings below can help them choose a program from the best schools in California. We have compiled our lists of the best graduate and undergraduate nursing schools based on information from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Find out more about our ranking methodology below
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $13,320 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 36% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 50% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | N/A |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,288 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 28% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 75% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 76% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 32% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 77% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 90% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 33% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 76% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 69% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 35% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 79% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 66% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 26% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 63% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 83% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 25% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 72% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 72% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 26% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 66% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 63% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 25% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 67% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 80% |
Number of undergraduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Undergraduate tuition | $1,104 |
Undergraduate graduation rate | 18% |
Undergraduate retention rate | 71% |
Percent of undergrad students awarded financial aid | 75% |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered | 0 |
Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
Number of graduate-level nursing programs offered through distance education | 0 |
Nursing Accreditation in California
Since nurses play such an important role in the medical community, it’s imperative that the schools educating them are maintaining certain academic standards. Accrediting agencies exist to hold schools accountable for the education they impart to their students, and accreditation is a vital sign that a school has been found to qualify for these basics. As a result, students should be sure to check whether or not the nursing schools they are applying to are accredited by one or more official accreditation organizations, such as:
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Nursing Licensure in California
After nurses have completed their education programs, they are required to earn a license in order to work in California. For registered nurses, the licensure process includes getting a passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE), submitting to a background check, providing transcripts from their nursing school, and having their fingerprints taken. In addition, nurses must pay a $300 fee to get their state license. Similarly, those who want to work as practical or vocational nurses must also obtain a license to get a job.
California requires these professionals to complete an accredited degree program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) or the National League for Nursing State Board Test Pool Examination for Practical Nurse (NLN), undergo a background check, and pay a $150 fee. These licensing requirements apply to advanced practice nurses, including nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and public health nurses.
California Nursing Organizations
Nursing organizations give professionals the opportunity to connect with each other as they continue learning and growing in their career. The following are organizations that California nurses can join.
- California Nurses Association:
This organization is dedicated to improving health care around the state by providing education to nurses, as well as advocating to lawmakers on their behalf.
- American Nurses Association California:
The California chapter of the American Nurses Association helps professionals deliver high-quality patient care while advancing in their careers. The organization provides continuing education, industry publications, networking events, and insurance plans.
- Association of California Nurse Leaders:
This association is for nurses who have leadership positions in health care facilities, as well as those who work as educators and consultants. Members have access to industry news, an annual conference, toolkits to help them perform their jobs, and discounts on services provided by the organization.
- California Association for Nurse Practitioners:
Since 1977, this organization has offered support to nurse practitioners around the state. Professionals can invest in their careers by participating in the association’s annual conference, taking continuing education classes, and building their professional network. Members also have access to job leads and professional journals.
California-Specific Continuing Education
The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and nurses are expected to keep up with the changes if they want to keep their license. To that end, California requires that nurses complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. These courses, which must be approved by the state nursing board, can cover topics such as therapeutic interpersonal communication skills, nursing research, legal issues in nursing, quality assurance and advanced pharmacology. Classes with content focusing on liberal arts, economics and self-improvement are not accepted for license renewal.
Hospitals in California
- Community Regional Medical Center (Fresno): With eight facilities around the Fresno area, Community Regional Medical Center provides a wide range of services to thousands of patients — from mental health to cancer treatment to cardiovascular care. In 2017 alone, the Center treated over 150,000 emergency room patients, delivered over 6,000 babies, and had almost 4,000 admissions for a heart surgery.
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles): Cedars-Sinai Medical Center had humble beginnings when it opened in a residential home in 1902 as a 12-bed hospital focusing on tuberculosis patients. Today, the Center has 40 facilities around the Los Angeles area and it treats over one million people each year. In addition, Cedars-Sinai is currently conducting 1,500 research projects and employing 2,100 physicians and 2,800 nurses.
- Sharp Memorial Hospital (San Diego): Sharp Memorial Hospital delivers what the facility calls “The Sharp Experience,” which means all of the providers and staff go above and beyond to ensure that everyone receives treatment rooted in expertise and empathy, passion and compassion. From addiction treatment to pediatrics to weight loss surgery, Sharp prides itself on caring for people, not patients.
Methodology
Using the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), we gathered data for 6,758 United States institutions. We then filtered that list of schools by state and analyzed the data for each state with two different methodologies, in order to create two different lists: our undergraduate list, based on 11 ranking criteria, and our graduate list, based on 9 ranking criteria.
Final data for the 2016-17 school year was used for these rankings. Schools that did not provide data for all of the required ranking criteria were disqualified from that ranking.
The 11 criteria for the undergraduate school ranking were as follows:
- Number of associate- and bachelor’s-level degree programs offered to nursing-related majors
- Number of associate- and bachelor’s-level nursing-related degree programs offered via distance education
- Variety of associate- and bachelor’s-level nursing-related degree programs offered
- Tuition
- Retention rate
- Graduation rate
- Average amount of federal grant aid awarded to full-time first-time undergraduates
- Percent of full-time first-time undergraduates awarded any financial aid
- Credit offerings (Military, Dual, Life Experience, AP)
- Services (Career Counseling, Placement Services)
- Availability of tuition plans (Guaranteed, Prepaid, Payment, Other)
The graduate school ranking scored schools based on 9 criteria, different from the undergraduate list. These 9 criteria were as follows:
- Number of master’s- and doctoral-level degree programs offered to nursing-related majors
- Number of master’s- and doctoral-level nursing-related degree programs offered via distance education
- Variety of master’s- and doctoral-level nursing-related degree programs offered
- Tuition
- Retention rate
- Graduation rate
- Credit offerings (Military, Dual, Life Experience, AP)
- Services (Career Counseling, Placement Services)
- Availability of tuition plans (Guaranteed, Prepaid, Payment, Other)
All schools were scored on a 10-point scale for each of the points listed above. Individual data point scores were then multiplied by their respective weights, and the scores were added together, for a maximum possible score of 10 points.
NOTE: Schools’ tuition amounts are based on 2016-17 undergraduate and graduate data reported to the National Center for Education Statistics. The actual cost of tuition may vary.
Sources
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, Accessed January 2018, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
- California Nurses: Taking the Pulse, California Health Care Foundation, Accessed June 2018, https://www.chcf.org/publication/california-nurses-taking-the-pulse/
- Forecast of the Registered Nurse Workforce in California, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/forms/forecast2017.pdf
- California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/
- CCNE Accreditation, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.ccneaccreditation.org
- Accreditation – School of Nursing, San Diego State University, Accessed June 2018, https://nursing.sdsu.edu/about/accreditation/
- Licensure by Endorsement, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-end.shtml
- License/Certificate Renewal, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/lic-renewal.shtml
- Application for Vocational Nurse Licensure by Endorsement, Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, Accessed June 2018, http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/endorsement.pdf
- Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, State of California, Accessed June 2018, http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/
- Application for Vocational Nurse Licensure by Examination, Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, Accessed June 2018, http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/applicants/application_for_vocational_nurse_licensure_by_examination.shtml
- Advanced Practice and Certification, Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/ad-pract.shtml
- Application for Licensure by Endorsement, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/np-app.pdf
- Licensure by Examination, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml
- Application for Licensure by Examination, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/exam-app.pdf
- Continuing Education for License Renewal, California Board of Registered Nursing, Accessed June 2018, https://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ce-renewal.shtml
- Frequently Asked Questions, Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians, Accessed June 2018, http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/about_us/faq.shtml
- California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, Accessed June 2018, http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/site/entry/california-nurses-association
- American Nurses AssociationCalifornia, Accessed June 2018, https://www.anacalifornia.org/
- Association of California Nurse Leaders, Accessed June 2018, http://www.acnl.org/
- California Association for Nurse Practitioners, Accessed June 2018, https://canpweb.org/
- Community Regional Medical Center, Community Medical Centers, Accessed June 2018, https://www.communitymedical.org/CMC/Community-Regional-Medical-Center/
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Accessed June 2018, https://www.cedars-sinai.org/locations/cedars-sinai-main-campus-89.html
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center began as The Kaspare Cohn Hospital – 1902, Jewish Museum of the American West, Accessed June 2018, http://www.jmaw.org/cedars-sinai-jewish-los-angeles/
- Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, Kearny Mesa, Accessed June 2018, https://www.sharp.com/hospitals/memorial/
- American Hospital Directory, Accessed June 2018, https://www.ahd.com/