For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
California
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.
For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
One of the fastest routes to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) is an associate degree program. A traditional ADN curriculum requires two years of fulltime study and prepares graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Many of California’s approved ADN schools also offer an advanced placement option for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), often called an LVN-to-RN bridge program. Indeed, several schools like Allan Hancock College and College of the Siskiyous offer only the LVN-to-RN track.
Licensed vocational nurses care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, and physicians. They measure and record vital signs, dress wounds, prepare and give injections, collect samples for testing, and clean and monitor medical equipment. LVNs also gather information from patients for medical and insurance purposes, teach family members how to care for patients, and supervise junior healthcare staff such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
With a population of more than 250,000 registered nurses and hundreds of renowned nursing schools, California is one of the most promising places to start a nursing career, with Los Angeles leading the pack. 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 in this competitive field.
California nursing programs and careers
City-specific information
Home to a small population of 1,380 registered nurses (RNs), 220 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and dozens of nursing assistants (CNAs), Santa Cruz is a great place for aspiring nurses looking for a less hectic pace. While the demand for nurses isn’t as high in Santa Cruz as it is in larger metropolitan areas, this doesn’t mean nursing is any less demanding in this beach city.
To prepare for a career as a registered nurse (RN) in Santa Barbara, California, you must complete an associate’s (ADN), bachelor of science (BSN), or master of science (MSN) degree program. Licensure is required as well. These programs will prepare you to conduct diagnostic tests and analyze results, establish care plans, operate medical equipment, work with intravenous lines, and much more.
San Luis Obispo, California is home to a small but indispensable community of 1,160 registered nurses (RNs), 350 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and 580 nursing assistants (CNAs). To obtain a positon in any of these fields, you will need an appropriate amount of education and training, plus a license or certification.
While San Jose, California offers an abundance of opportunities for skilled registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and nursing assistants (CNAs), it still takes hard work and the right education to get your foot in the door. Why? Because nurses must perform a number of multifaceted duties that vary for each of the roles above.
The city of San Diego has an impressive 23,670 registered nurses (RNs), 5,170 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and 8,320 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These professionals work at major hospitals and healthcare providers such as Sharp Memorial Hospital, Scripps Mercy Hospital, UC San Diego Health System, and Alvarado Hospital Medical Center. To obtain employment at top-notch hospitals like these, you will need to earn a nursing degree or certificate, hold clinical experience, and obtain the proper license or certification.
San Bernardino offers a variety of opportunities for registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and nursing assistants (CNAs). Part of California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is home to major hospitals such as St. Bernardine Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, and Ballard Rehabilitation Hospital. To keep the area’s healthcare facilities running smoothly, Inland Empire has a large population of 23,610 RNs, 6,140 LVNs, and 8,160 CNAs.
The city of Salinas offers a variety of opportunities for skilled registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). So what does it take to get your foot in the door?
Sacramento is home to a sizable population of approximately 16,010 registered nurses (RNs). The city is also home to 4,720 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and 3,010 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). While opportunities for Sacramento-based nurses are plentiful, competition is intense and standards are high. To ensure that their nurses have the skills needed to provide exceptional patient care, hospitals and other healthcare providers across the state require postsecondary education, clinical experience, and licensure or certification.
With a large population of 23,610 registered nurses (RNs) averaging $87,160 per year, 6,140 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) averaging $45,570 per year, and 8,160 nursing assistants (CNAs) averaging $26,130 per year, California’s Inland Empire is one of the nation’s best places to start a nursing career. While the opportunity for success is promising in Riverside and other Inland Empire cities, the industry here is competitive. To stand out, aspiring nurses must have a degree, they must be licensed, and they must demonstrate the ability to juggle a variety of demanding tasks.
California nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful in California’s Ventura County, which includes the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. However, it still takes hard work and the right education to succeed. Some of the most in-demand positions in the area include registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and nursing assistants (CNAs). Ventura County is home to 3,730 RNs averaging $74,550 per year, 760 LVNs averaging $48,830 per year, and 1,480 CNAs averaging $27,400 per year.