List of accredited nursing schools in Bakersfield, California

While California nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful, it still takes a lot of work and the right education to obtain a lucrative position as a registered nurse (RN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or certified nursing assistant (CNA). RNs must be skilled at performing a variety of challenging tasks from conducting diagnostic tests and analyzing results to establishing effective care plans for the sick or injured. In order to prepare for these tasks, aspiring RNs must complete an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or master of science in nursing (MSN) program. A license is required as well.

LVNs care for the sick or injured under the supervision of RNs, surgeons, and physicians, while CNAs provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and other medical staff. LVNs must complete a certificate or associate's degree program and obtain a license, while CNAs must complete an accredited training program and obtain certification.

Graduates of top RN programs in California (or leading LVN or CNA programs) often find employment at major hospitals in top-ten cities such as Bakersfield. The city is home to 4,210 RNs averaging $77,480 per year, 1,010 LVNs averaging $48,580 per year, and 1,270 CNAs averaging $23,870 per year. Just a few of the top nursing employers in Bakersfield include Good Samaritan Hospital, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Kern Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield, and San Joaquin Community Hospital-Adventist Health.

The following is a complete list of accredited nursing schools in Bakersfield, California that offer top-tier education and training programs in this lucrative field.