Because of its high quality of living, the sunny state of California has attracted many nursing professionals looking to start a career in healthcare. Not only does the state boast one of the highest salary levels in the country, but the nursing schools in California are also excellent and accredited by the main nursing education bodies, CCNE or ACEN.
California has introduced some important changes to nursing, especially benefiting RNs, led by the influential California Nurses Association. The group successfully negotiated some collective agreements for nurses practicing in California and is considered a leading example for other states.
In addition to great working conditions, California also has a variety of programs available to nursing students, from diploma level to a doctorate degree. Students also have the possibility to select from a choice of school environments, ranging from small community colleges, private schools, or large state-owned universities as well as associate degrees (2-year programs in California), bachelor degrees, or advanced studies in nursing.
If you’re already a CNA, there are CNA to LVN programs in California. And if you’re already an LVN, there are LVN to RN bridge programs in California.
California residents and prospective nurses also have available a range of scholarships through private organizations, health care institutions, universities, and local businesses. Have a look at our guide to paying for nursing school for more information.
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California State University, Bakersfield
CSU Bakersfield offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to students who currently do not have any nursing experience, but they need to take one year of pre-requisite courses and three years of nursing courses. Once those are completed, the student will receive their BSN degree along with eligibility to apply for an RN licensure examination.
Another popular program at the school is the RN to BSN program. It’s designed for students who currently have an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and want to obtain a BSN. The program takes approximately 15 months for the students to complete. California State University, Bakersfield is an accredited college by the Board of Registered Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Department of Nursing 9001 Stockdale Hwy, 29RNC Bakersfield, CA 93311 Phone: (661)-654-2505
University of California, San Francisco
The University of California, San Francisco allows students to earn their Master of Science in Nursing, Ph.D. in Nursing, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DPN). The programs engage students in advanced clinical practice, evaluate and apply theory related to the scientific base of nursing, evaluate research related to the clinical and scientific value of nursing, analyze relationships with cultural, political, and social issues related to healthcare, and much more.
Due to the programs’ length and the number of students who struggle with family or current job while attending school, the university offers many different ways to complete the course, including a two day a week program. UCSJ is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Department of Nursing 2 Koret Way San Francisco, CA 94143 Phone: (415) 476-1435
San Diego State University
San Diego State University has four nursing degrees for students: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN), Registered Nurse to BSN, Master of Science in Nursing, and Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse. Students are taught how to make professional decisions, utilize research to the nursing process, develop critical thinking skills necessary for nursing, and focus on the trends of the healthcare system.
The coursework includes classroom and labs as well as internships at local healthcare facilities. San Diego State University is an accredited school by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the California Board of Registered Nurses.
SDSU School Of Nursing Adams Humanities Building rm #3138 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-4158 Phone: (619) 594-2540
Azusa Pacific University
This Christian based university is a private school that offers nursing as well as multiple other programs. Students can take one of the five undergraduate programs to get their nursing license and then move on to any of the six Master’s programs at APU. From there, APU has two nursing Doctoral programs for anyone who wishes to take their degree to the next level.
Azusa Pacific University also offers international opportunities for anyone who is interested, from short-term missions to entire semesters spent in other countries. It is a great opportunity for students to learn about foreign healthcare systems and research the weaknesses and strengths of healthcare when compared to the United States.
Azusa Pacific School of Nursing gets accreditation from the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education, WASC Senior College and University Commission, and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing 701 E. Foothill Blvd. Azusa, CA 91702 Phone: (626) 815-5386
Complete List of Nursing Schools in CaliforniaAzusa Pacific University School of Nursing
Location: Azusa, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.apu.eduBiola University School of Nursing Location: La Mirada, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.biola.eduCalifornia State University Bakersfield School of Nursing Location: Bakersfield, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csubak.eduCalifornia State University-Chico School of Nursing Location: Chico, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.csuchico.eduCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills School of Nursing Location: Carson, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csudh.eduCalifornia State University Fresno School of Nursing Location: Fresno, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Website: http://www.csufresno.eduCalifornia State University Fullerton School of Nursing Location: Fullerton, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.fullerton.eduCalifornia State University Hayward School of Nursing Location: Hayward, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.csuhayward.eduCalifornia State University Long Beach School of Nursing Location: Long Beach, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csulb.eduCalifornia State University Los Angeles School of Nursing Location: Los Angeles, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.calstatela.eduCalifornia State University Northbridge School of Nursing Location: Northbridge, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csun.eduCalifornia State University Sacramento School of Nursing Location: Sacramento, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csus.eduCalifornia State University San Bernardino School of Nursing Location: San Bernardino, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csusb.eduCalifornia State University Stanislaus School of Nursing Location: Turlock, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.csustan.eduDominican University of California School of Nursing Location: San Rafael, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.dominican.eduHoly Names College School of Nursing Location: Oakland, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.hnu.eduHumboldt State University School of Nursing Location: Arcata, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.humboldt.eduLoma Linda University School of Nursing Location: Loma Linda, California Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.llu.eduMount Saint Mary’s College School of Nursing Location: Los Angeles, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.msmc.la.eduNational University School of Nursing Location: La Jolla, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.nu.eduPacific Union College School of Nursing Location: Angwin, California Programs: BSN Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.puc.eduPoint Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing Location: San Diego, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.ptloma.eduSamuel Merritt College School of Nursing Location: Oakland, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.samuelmerritt.eduSamuel Merritt – St Mary’s Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium Location: Moraga, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.stmarys-ca.eduSan Diego State University School of Nursing Location: San Diego, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.sdsu.eduSan Francisco State University School of Nursing Location: San Francisco, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.sfsu.eduSan Jose State University School of Nursing Location: San Jose, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.sjsu.eduSonoma State University School of Nursing Location: Rohnert Park, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.sonoma.eduUniversity of California Los Angeles School of Nursing Location: Los Angeles, California Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.ucla.eduUniversity of California San Francisco School of Nursing Location: San Francisco, California Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.ucsf.eduUniversity of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing Location: San Diego, California Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.sandiego.eduUniversity of San Francisco School of Nursing Location: San Francisco, California Programs: BSN, MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.usfca.eduWestern University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing Location: Pomona, California Programs: MSN Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.westernu.edu
For a full list of accredited nursing schools in California, you can visit the state’s official list. It has all the current colleges, programs, and contact information.