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Nursing Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

H. T. PROF Group

Assistant Program Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85 - $110/hr

This position will work with and functions under the supervision of the Campus Program Director of the Vocational Nursing Program. * Assists the Director with planning, developing, managing, updating ...

New

Crestwood Behavioral Health

Program Director

Angwin, CA · On-site

Bachelor's degree and/or licensed nurse/licensed clinician. The program director shall also have at least two (2) years of experience or training in a mental health setting, one year of which shall ...

Continuum Hospice

Program Director (Hospice)

Capitola, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

Bachelor's degree in nursing, health care, or business administration preferred. * Minimum of two (2) years' experience in health care management, home health, hospice, or related health programs ...

Continuum Hospice

Program Director (Hospice)

Capitola, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

Bachelor's degree in nursing, health care, or business administration preferred. * Minimum of two (2) years' experience in health care management, home health, hospice, or related health programs ...

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Nursing Program Director information

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$36.5K

$92.2K

$158.4K

How much do nursing program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing program director in California is $92,237.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $108,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nursing program director?

Nursing Program Directors are senior administrators responsible for overseeing and managing nursing education programs at colleges, universities, or healthcare institutions. They develop curriculum, ensure compliance with accreditation standards, supervise faculty, and support student success. Nursing Program Directors also handle budgeting, staffing, and often represent their programs to external stakeholders. Their leadership is crucial to maintaining high educational standards and preparing students for nursing careers.

What are some common challenges faced by a nursing program director, and how can they be effectively managed?

Nursing Program Directors often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative responsibilities with the need to stay engaged in curriculum development and student support. Managing faculty workloads, ensuring accreditation standards are met, and keeping up with evolving healthcare practices can also be demanding. Effective management involves strong organizational skills, clear communication with faculty and administration, and ongoing professional development to stay current with industry trends. Building collaborative relationships within the institution and fostering a supportive team environment are key strategies to successfully navigate these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nursing program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nursing Program Director, you need advanced clinical knowledge, leadership experience, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in nursing or nursing education. Familiarity with accreditation standards, curriculum development software, and learning management systems is essential. Strong organizational, communication, and mentoring skills help foster faculty development and student success. These skills are vital for ensuring the quality and compliance of nursing programs and for guiding both faculty and students toward excellence.

What is the difference between Nursing Program Director vs Nursing Educator?

AspectNursing Program DirectorNursing Educator
CredentialsRN license, advanced degrees (e.g., MSN, DNP)RN license, often MSN or higher
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, overseeing nursing programsHospitals, colleges, or training settings, teaching students
Primary FocusProgram administration, curriculum oversight, accreditationTeaching, student assessment, clinical instruction
Employer & IndustryUniversities, colleges, nursing schoolsHospitals, colleges, vocational schools

The Nursing Program Director primarily manages nursing education programs, focusing on administration and accreditation, while the Nursing Educator concentrates on teaching and mentoring students. Both roles require nursing credentials and are vital in nursing education but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What does a nursing program director do?

A nursing program director oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education programs. They manage faculty, ensure curriculum compliance with accreditation standards, and coordinate clinical placements, often requiring a nursing license and advanced degree. Their role involves leadership, administrative duties, and ensuring students meet professional competencies.

What qualifications do you need to be a nursing program director?

A nursing program director typically needs a registered nurse (RN) license, a master's degree in nursing or a related field, and extensive experience in nursing practice and education. Leadership skills, curriculum development knowledge, and often a doctoral degree or higher are also preferred for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nursing Program jobs in California?

The most popular types of Nursing Program jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Nursing Program Director jobs in California?

For Nursing Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Nursing Program Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Nursing Program Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Nursing Program Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Nursing Program Director job openings:

Nursing Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nursing Program Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,237 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Assistant Program Director

H. T. PROF Group

Irvine, CA • On-site

$85 - $110/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

We are looking for an Assistant Program Director – VN Program to join our team.

This position will work with and functions under the supervision of the Campus Program Director of the Vocational Nursing Program.

  • Assists the Director with planning, developing, managing, updating and evaluating all aspects of the program
  • Assists with preparing data and other written materials for all required state and Board requirements, reports, proposals, self-studies, surveys, and site visits
  • Assists with identifying and obtaining outside resources for the nursing program
  • Assesses the ability of the agency to provide clinical experience that meet the objectives for application of theory and clinical course objectives
  • Ensures Facility Approval Applications are completed and approved prior to initiating clinical rotations
  • Ensures that student theory and clinical evaluations are completed in a timely manner by assigned faculty
  • Maintains evaluations by students, clinical sites representatives, and faculty at completion of each clinical rotation
  • Assist with strategic planning and assessment of instructional initiatives to ensure quality of program
  • Makes continuous efforts to improve quality of instruction
  • Ensures that clinical assignments, clinical rotation matrixes and calendars are completed in a timely manner
  • Ensures that faculty is consistently following policies and guidelines as related to student clinical rotation experience.
  • Reviews student learning material on an ongoing basis
  • Ensures that student records are maintained according to policies.
  • Submits required program reports and forms to the Director of the program in a timely manner
  • Keeps current with new technologies and safety regulations.
  • Provides advising support and planning assistance to potential students
  • Ensures that all students have completed the necessary documentation and meet the requirements for graduation and the state licensing exam
  • Teach (either theory or clinical) half of the time
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
  • A masters or higher degree from an accredited college or university (including course work in nursing, education, or administration).
  • A minimum of three (3) years experience leading a nursing program.
  • A minimum of three (3) years experience as a full-time faculty in pre- or post-licensure nursing program.
  • A minimum of one (1) year experience teaching in an online teaching and learning environment.
  • A minimum four (4) year of continuous full-time experience as a registered nurse providing direct patient care in geriatrics, medical-surgical, mental health psychiatric nursing, obstetrics or pediatrics within the past five (5) years.
  • Must hold a valid, active license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
  • Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
  • Action oriented, innovative thinking, and flexible.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work within a deadline-oriented environment.
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