Nursing Schools in California
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.
Sponsored Schools
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Featured Schools
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 California
Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing
Location: Azusa, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.apu.edu
Biola University School of Nursing
Location: La Mirada, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Website: http://www.biola.edu
California State University Bakersfield School of Nursing
Location: Bakersfield, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.csubak.edu
California 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.edu
California State University Dominguez Hills School of Nursing
Location: Carson, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.csudh.edu
California State University Fresno School of Nursing
Location: Fresno, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Website: http://www.csufresno.edu
California 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.edu
California State University Hayward School of Nursing
Location: Hayward, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Website: http://www.csuhayward.edu
California 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.edu
California 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.edu
California State University Northbridge School of Nursing
Location: Northbridge, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.csun.edu
California State University Sacramento School of Nursing
Location: Sacramento, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.csus.edu
California 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.edu
California State University Stanislaus School of Nursing
Location: Turlock, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.csustan.edu
Dominican University of California School of Nursing
Location: San Rafael, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.dominican.edu
Holy Names College School of Nursing
Location: Oakland, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.hnu.edu
Humboldt State University School of Nursing
Location: Arcata, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.humboldt.edu
Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Location: Loma Linda, California
Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.llu.edu
Mount 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.edu
National University School of Nursing
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.nu.edu
Pacific Union College School of Nursing
Location: Angwin, California
Programs: BSN
Accreditation: ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Website: http://www.puc.edu
Point Loma Nazarene University School of Nursing
Location: San Diego, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.ptloma.edu
Samuel Merritt College School of Nursing
Location: Oakland, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.samuelmerritt.edu
Samuel 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.edu
San Diego State University School of Nursing
Location: San Diego, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.sdsu.edu
San Francisco State University School of Nursing
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.sfsu.edu
San Jose State University School of Nursing
Location: San Jose, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.sjsu.edu
Sonoma State University School of Nursing
Location: Rohnert Park, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.sonoma.edu
University 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.edu
University 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.edu
University 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.edu
University of San Francisco School of Nursing
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: BSN, MSN
Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Website: http://www.usfca.edu
Western 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.
Lindsay Smith
Lindsay is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Nephrology Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. She is passionate about working with patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) to maximize their function and wellness.