California’s great cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, are cultural centers and known worldwide for specific and cosmopolitan attractions. As the third largest state, California offers constant employment opportunities, from urban to rural, and in coastal areas to its mountain ranges and deserts. California’s health care industry is no exception, as health care jobs in this state are available in a wide range of fields. Students also can find a plethora of educational opportunities.

Becoming a Nurse in California

Students who want to study nursing in California will find opportunities throughout the state, and a wide range of degree options. California State University offers nursing degrees statewide. Potential nursing students can find Cal State campuses from Long Beach to Fresno and from Sacramento to San Bernardino, and all campuses offer a variety of nursing courses that can lead to RN, LPN and specialty careers with degrees that range from associate to PhD. For a specific course of study, students might find California State University of Northridge’s RN-BSN program promising. They offer specialties in administration, community health, education, geriatrics, gerontology, radiology, and certification in school nursing. Another smaller college that offers a BSN in nursing is Biola University, located in La Mirada.

Nursing Jobs in California

California nursing salaries are as varied as the jobs and education offered throughout this state. The average salary for a California LPN is $41,000 per year, whereas the average salary for an RN in this state is $70,000 per year. However, an RN can earn $142,000 per year as a travel nurse within this state. A few of the largest health care employers in California include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego; and Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, which offers a wide range of jobs for individuals who want to work with all ages, genders and medical conditions.