Nursing Schools in California - CA

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Nursing programs in California have been graduating talented nurses for over 50 years. The Nursing schools in California have, unfortunately, felt the nursing shortage pinch over the last 10 years and have not been able to keep up with the demand for nursing school graduates to fill all the open positions. It has become common to be on a 4-year wait list for a nursing school in California, primarily due to the lack of nursing faculty to teach courses. Fortunately, many nursing schools in California, both public and private, have begun offering online LVN to BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN and MSN nursing degree programs.

Everest College has emerged as having one of the top campus based LVN programs in the state, with campuses offering LVN programs in Alhambra and Anaheim. The University of Phoenix School of Nursing, Walden School of Nursing and Kaplan School of Nursing are three of the top online nursing schools in California and are accredited by the CCNE. These online nursing programs can accelerate your path to a nursing career as opposed to one of the campus based nursing programs in California without sacrificing any quality of education. Clinical time in preceptorships is part of each online program, just like any of the accredited campus based programs. Whether you live in Los Angeles, San DIego, San Francisco, San Jose, Long Beach, Fresno, Sacramento or some other city in California, these online nursing schools will help you find a place to complete your clinical rotations near your home.

A popular option for nursing school applicants, who have been wait-listed in California for ADN or Baccalaureate programs, is to become a Medical Assistant while on the wait-list. The upside to becoming a medical assistant is that one can earn a nice salary while gaining valuable work experience. Many nursing schools are bumping up applicants who have more advanced education and clinical work experience, such as the work experience gained as a Medical Assistant. One can earn an associate’s degree or certificate in Medical Assisting in as little as 6 months for a very minimal investment. Click here to request free information from Kaplan University’s Online Medical Assisting Associate’s program to learn more.

The University of Phoenix School of Nursing offers one of the top nursing programs in California and is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).* The University of Phoenix School of Nursing admits only LVNs, LPNs or RNs to their Baccalaureate nursing degree programs in California. The University of Phoenix School of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in California and is accredited by the CCNE. Students can choose to attend classes at one of the 42 campus locations throughout Southern, Central and Northern California or take classes online. Clinical course work is arranged in a student’s local geography.

Only 60% of California's nurses practice in hospitals. The remainder are practicing in community settings such as out-patient clinics, home care, public health, and non-traditional case management settings (State of California, Department of consumer Affairs, Board of Registered Nursing [BRN], 1990, 1993, 1997). These practice settings need nurses prepared with at least the baccalaureate for the knowledge and skills necessary for service in the community. Yet, approximately 70% of nurses in California received their initial education at the associate degree level and of these, only 16% return to school for the bachelor's degree in nursing (BRN, 1997; Sechrist, Lewis, & Rutledge, 1999).

California Nursing Job Outlook and Salary Information

The California Nurse Outreach website put it best, “Opportunities for nurses have never been better and the demand for nurses has never been higher!” California now mandates a 1 to 5 nurse to patient bed ratio in hospitals. As of June, 2005 California had 14,000 nurse job openings, according to the California Hospital Association. Other research showed that California has fewer nurses per capita than every state except Nevada. What all this means is that the nursing job opportunities in California are excellent and will continue to be excellent. Hospitals, Home Health companies, specialty clinics and other organizations are paying higher wages, offering flexible schedules, offering tuition reimbursement and much more.

According to The Occupational Employment Survey of Employers by EDD/LMID Nursing salaries in California were as follows:

*Hourly wages range from: $23.59 to $32.29
Average hourly wage: $27.82
Average annual wage: $57,855

*The Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that California has one of the top five highest annual mean wages for nurses at $65,100.

*Minority Nurse Magazine reported recently that registered nurses in Oakland, CA earn an average yearly salary of over $80,000 a year.

Featured Online Nursing Schools in California

In a hurry? Click here to request free, no obligation information from all of the featured schools.

University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the California Board of Nursing. All programs are designed to develop the skills of working registered nurses. Request free information from University of Phoenix below to find out more.

Walden University School of Nursing

Graduates of Walden University's Master of Science degree programs in Nursing have the knowledge and skills to be leaders in their professions and contribute to positive social change in their communities and throughout California. Walden offers programs with different areas of specialization. You may choose to specialize in Education, Informatics or Leadership & Management. Request free information from Walden University to learn more.

Jacksonville University - School of Nursing

Jacksonville University offers an Online RN to BSN. The courses are taught by the same faculty teaching the on-campus courses and the material is exactly the same. The School of Nursing is accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) - Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The JU School of Nursing is accepting application for their Online RN to BSN program now. Request information today!

Click Here to request information from the Jacksonville University's Online RN to BSN Program.

Kaplan University School of Nursing

At Kaplan University you will find online nursing programs ranging from RN to BSN, Masters in Nursing (MSN), to certificates in Forensic Nursing and Case Management. Request free information from the Kaplan University below to learn more.

Azusa Pacific University - Nursing

Azusa Pacific University offers an Online RN to BSN accredited by the CCNE, NLNAC and WASC. The program is enrolling now. Request information today!

Click Here to request information from the Azusa Pacific University Online RN to BSN Program

Western Governors University - Nursing

Western Governors University offers an online BSN degree program for registered nurses with a diploma or an associate's degree. WGU is Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as well as Nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. The Online BSN program is currently accepting applications. Request information today!

Click Here to request information from this Online BSN Program

Featured Campus Based Nursing School

University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services

University of Phoenix offers programs at campuses throughout Northern California and Southern California. (RN to BSN, MSN, and certificates) University of Phoenix is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of working registered nurses. Request free information below to learn more.

Click Here to learn more about University of Phoenix and their CCNE accredited nursing programs.

Loma Linda University School of Nursing

The BSN and MSN programs at Loma Linda University School of Nursing are National League for Nursing (NLN) accredited. The Nursing School is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, LPN to BSN, Part-Time BSN, Second Degree BSN, RN to BSN, MSN (Tracks: Administrator, Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Clinical Nurse Specialist, Parent/Child Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, School Health Clinical nurse Specialist, Part-Time MSN, RN to MSN, Joint MSN/MPH, PhD Nursing, Post-Master's Certificate (Tracks: Adult NP, Family NP, Neonatal NP, Pediatric NP)

Click Here to learn more about any Loma Linda School of Nursing program.

Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Mount St. Mary's College Department of Nursing

The school is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. LVN Mobility Option (Allows student to take the National League for Nursing Mobility Exam. Students who score 75% or better may select to complete a BSN in three years. For those who score less, they may continue on to complete their ADN.

Programs Offered: ADN, LVN Mobility Option (LVN to ADN or LVN to BSN), BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, ADN to MSN

Click Here to learn more about any of these nursing programs at Mount St. Mary's College.

Mount St. Mary's College Department of Nursing, 12001 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049-1599

Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing

The School of Nursing is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, LVN to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, BSN - MSN, (MSN Tracks: Family Clinical Nurse Specialist, Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical-Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist), Post-Master's Certificate - (Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator)

Click Here to learn more about the Point Nazarene University School of Nursing programs.

Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106-9971

University of California San Francisco School of Nursing

The Master's in Nursing programs offered by the University of San Francisco School of Nursing are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited. The UCSF School of Nursing was listed "Top Ranked" in the 2007 US News America's Best Graduate Schools survey.

Programs Offered: Master's of Science in Nursing - (Specializations: Health Policy Nursing, Community Based Care Systems, Nurse Midwifery, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Cardiovascular Clinical Nurse Specialist, Critical Care (Adult) Clinical Nurse Specialist, Gerontological Nursing Nurse Practitioner & CNS, Occupational and Environmental Health, Oncology Nursing, Pediatric Nursing Advanced Practice, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing - NP, Integrated NP and CNS)

Click Here to learn more about the University of California San Francisco nursing programs.

University of California - San Francisco School of Nursing, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143-0604

University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science baccalaureate and master’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students that complete the pre-licensure component of the master's program are eligible to apply for licensure by the Board of Registered Nursing. The master's clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner programs are approved by the Board of Registered Nursing.

Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, Direct-Entry MSN - (Tracks: Adult Medical-Surgical CNS, Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nursing, Executive Nurse Leader, Adult NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP), Part-Time MSN, MSN/MBA, DNP, PhD

Click Here to learn more about the University of San Diego nursing programs.

University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492

Western University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing - Entry program is designed to prepare applicants with a bachelor's degree in another field for RN licensure and then continue with the program and graduate level coursework. Students have four areas of emphasis to choose from. The Master of Science in Nursing program is California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) approved, and nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing - Entry (Emphasis Areas: Leadership and Management, Clinical Nurse Leader, Ambulatory Care, and Family Nurse Practitioner)

Click Here to learn more about Western University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing.

Western University of Health Sciences College of Graduate Nursing, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766

Featured Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Programs Approved by the California Board of Nursing

Kaplan College - San Diego

Kaplan College in San Diego offers an Associate's in Nursing for Students interested in becoming a Registered nurse. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. This program is approved by the California State Board of Nursing and is currently accepting new nursing student applications. Request information today!

Click Here to request information from Kaplan College - San Diego

Western Career College

Western Career College in Sacramento offers a California State Board Approved Associate's Degree in Nursing for those interested in becoming a Registered nurse. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam. Request information today!

Click Here to request information from Western Career College - Sacramento

Mount St. Mary's College Department of Nursing

Programs Offered: ADN, LVN Mobility Option (LVN to ADN or LVN to BSN), BSN

Click Here to learn more about any of these nursing programs at Mount St. Mary's College.

Mount St. Mary's College Department of Nursing, 12001 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049-1599

Additional ADN Programs Approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing

Allan Hancock College 800 South College Drive Santa Maria, CA 93454 Admits LVNs Only	American River College 4700 College Oak Drive Sacramento, CA 95841	Antelope Valley College 3041 West Avenue K Lancaster, CA 93536-5426
Bakersfield College 1801 Panorama Drive Bakersfield, CA 93305	Chabot College 25555 Hesperian Boulevard Hayward, CA 94545	Butte College 3536 Butte Campus Oroville, CA 95965
Cabrillo College 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA 95003	Cerritos College 11110 Alondra Boulevard Norwalk, CA 90650	Chaffey College 5885 Haven Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
Citrus College 1000 West Foothill Boulevard Glendora, CA 91741	City College of San Francisco 50 Phelan Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112	College of Marin 835 College Avenue Kentfield, CA 94904
College of San Mateo 1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94402	College of the Canyons 26455 North Rockwell Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91355	College of the Desert 43-500 Monterey Avenue Palm Desert, CA 92234
College of the Redwoods 7351 Tompkins Hill Road Eureka, CA 95501	College of the Sequoias 915 South Mooney Boulevard Visalia, CA 93277	College of the Siskiyous 800 College Avenue Weed, CA 96094
Contra Costa College 2600 Mission Bell Drive San Pablo, CA 94806	Copper Mountain College 6162 Rotary Way PO Box 1398 Joshua Tree, CA 92252	Cuesta College Post Office Box 8106 San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Cypress College 9200 Valley View Street Cypress, CA 90630	De Anza College 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard Cupertino, CA 95014	East Los Angeles College 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez Monterey Park, CA 91754
El Camino College 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard Torrance, CA 90506	El Camino College - Compton Education Center 1111 Artesia Blvd. Compton, CA 90221	Evergreen Valley College 3095 Yerba Buena Road San Jose, CA 95135
Fresno City College 1101 East University Avenue Fresno, CA 93741	Gavilan College 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard Gilroy, CA 95020	Glendale Community College 1500 North Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208
Golden West College 15744 Goldenwest Street Huntington Beach, CA 92647	Grossmont College 8800 Grossmont College Drive El Cajon, CA 92020	Hartnell College 156 Homestead Avenue Salinas, CA 93901
Imperial Valley College Post Office Box 158 Imperial, CA 92551	Long Beach City College 4901 East Carson Street Long Beach, CA 90808	Los Angeles City College 855 North Vermont Avenue Cubcenter Los Angeles, CA 90029
Los Angeles County College of Nursing & Allied Health 1237 N. Mission+ Road Los Angeles, CA 90033	Los Angeles Harbor College 1111 Figueroa Place Wilmington, CA 90744	Los Angeles Pierce College 6201 Winnetka Avenue Woodland Hills, CA 91371
Los Angeles Southwest College 1600 West Imperial Highway Los Angeles, CA 90047	Los Angeles Trade-Tech College 400 West Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90015	Los Angeles Valley College 5800 Fulton Avenue Valley Glen, CA 91401
Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg, CA 94565	Maric College 9055 Balboa Avenue San Diego, CA 92123	Mendocino College 1000 Hensley Creek Road Ukiah, CA 95482
Merced College 3600 M Street Merced, CA 95348-2898	Merritt College 12500 Campus Drive Oakland, CA 94619	Mira Costa 1 Barnard Drive Oceanside, CA 92056
Modesto Junior College 435 College Avenue Modesto, CA 95350	Monterey Peninsula College 980 Fremont Street Monterey, CA 93940	Moorpark College 7075 Campus Road Moorpark, CA 93021
Mount St. Mary's College 10 Chester Place Los Angeles, CA 90007	Mt. San Antonio College 1100 North Grand Avenue Walnut, CA 91789	Mt. San Jacinto College 23287 La Piedra Road Menifee, CA 92584
Napa Valley College 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway Napa, CA 94558	National University 11255 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037	Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard Fremont, CA 94539
Pacific Union College 1 Angwin Avenue Angwin, CA 94508	Palomar College 1140 West Mission Road San Marcos, CA 92069	Pasadena City College 1570 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91106-2003
Rio Hondo College 3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601-1699	Riverside Community College 4800 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92506	Sacramento City College 3835 Freeport Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95822
Saddleback College 28000 Marguerite Parkway Mission Viejo, CA 92692	San Bernardino Valley College 701 South Mount Vernon San Bernardino, CA 91024	San Diego City College 1313 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101
San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95207	San Joaquin Valley College 8400 W. Mineral King Visalia, CA 93291	Santa Ana College 1530 West 17th Street Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398
Santa Barbara City College 721 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93109	Santa Monica College 1900 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405	Santa Rosa Junior College 1501 Mendocino Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Shasta College 11555 Old Oregon Trail Box 496006 Redding, CA 96049-6006	Sierra College 5000 Rocklin Road Rocklin, CA 95677	Solano Community College 4000 Suisun Valley Road Suisun City, CA 94585-3917
Southwestern Community College 900 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista, CA 91910	Unitek College 4670 Auto Mall Parkway Fremont, CA 94538	Ventura College 4667 Telegraph Road Ventura, CA 93003
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road Victorville, CA 92392	West Coast University - Los Angeles 4021 Rosewood Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90004	West Coast University - Orange County 2461 West La Palma Anaheim, CA 92801
Western Career College Sacramento Campus only 8909 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95826	Yuba College 2088 North Beale Road Marysville, CA 95901

Baccalaureatte Nursing Degree Programs Approved by the California State Board of Nursing

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University's BSN program is accredited by the CCNE and approved by the California State Board of Nursing.

Click Here to request information from Azusa Pacific University.

West Coast University

The West Coast University BSN programs are approved by the California State Board of Nursing and are in the accrediting process with the CCNE.

Click Here to request information from the Los Angeles Campus.
Click Here to request information from the Ontario Campus.
Click Here to request information from the Orange County Campus.

Loma Linda University School of Nursing

Programs Offered: BSN, LPN to BSN, Part-Time BSN, Second Degree BSN, RN to BSN

Click Here to learn more about any Loma Linda School of Nursing program.

Loma Linda University School of Nursing, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing

The School of Nursing is approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Programs Offered: BSN, LVN to BSN, RN to BSN

Click Here to learn more about the Point Nazarene University School of Nursing programs.

Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106-9971

American University of Health Sciences 3501 Atlantic Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90807	Azusa Pacific University 901 East Alosta Avenue Azusa, CA 91702	Biola University 13800 Biola Avenue La Mirada, CA 90639
California Baptist University 8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504	California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022	California State University, Channel Islands One University Drive Camarillo, CA 93012-8599
California State University, Chico Holt Hall Room 369 Chico, CA 95929-0200	California State University, East Bay Dept of Nursing-College of Science Hayward, CA 94542-3086	California State University, Fresno 2345 East San Ramon Avenue Fresno, CA 93740-0025
California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840-0301	California State University, Los Angeles 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032	California State University, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330
California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819-6096	California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway San Bernardino, CA 92407	California State University, San Marcos 335 Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
California State University, Stanislaus 801 West Monte Vista Avenue Turlock, CA 95382	Dominican University of California 50 Acacia Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901	Humboldt State University Department of Nursing Arcata, CA 95521
Loma Linda University School of Nursing -- West Hall Loma Linda, CA 92350	Mount St. Mary's College 12001 Chalon Road Los Angeles, CA 90049	National University 11255 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037
Point Loma Nazarene University 3900 Lomaland Drive San Diego, CA 92106-2899	Samuel Merritt College 435 Hawthorne Avenue Oakland, CA 94609	San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-4158
San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132	San Jose State University One Washington Square San Jose, CA 95192-0057	Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, CA 94928
University of California, Irvine College of Health Sciences Building 802, Room 289 Irvine, CA 92697	University of California, Los Angeles 700 Tiverton Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90095	University of Phoenix at Modesto (Northern CA Campus) 3600 Sisk Rd. #5a Modesto, CA 95356
University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton Street San Francisco, CA 94117-1080