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Nursing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dean of Nursing

San Jose, CA

$46 - $62.75/hr

Through its family of institutions, including Unitek College of Nursing, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, Brookline College, and Unitek EMT, Unitek delivers career-focused education designed to ...

$125K - $135K/yr

Director of Nursing (DON) / Owner Is Vitale Nursing Right for You? Are you an experienced Registered Nurse looking to grow into a senior leadership role in Home Health? Are you passionate about ...

$22 - $25/hr

Valley Vista Nursing and Transitional Care is an award winning family company providing healthcare services including skilled nursing, assisted living and senior living communities. We believe that ...

Previous experience in nursing or other medical fields * Familiarity with medical tools and equipment * Ability to build rapport with patients * Compassionate and caring demeanor * Excellent written ...

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Showing results 1-20

Nursing information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$89.7K

$142.1K

How much do nursing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing in California is $89,744.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What other jobs can I do with nursing?

Nursing skills can transfer to roles such as healthcare administrator, medical educator, or health services manager. Nurses can also work in case management, health coaching, or pursue specialized certifications for fields like anesthesia, midwifery, or nurse practitioner, often requiring additional training or licensure.

What opportunities for professional growth and advancement are available to nurses within a healthcare organization?

Nurses have various paths for career advancement within healthcare organizations, including moving into specialized clinical roles, leadership positions such as nurse manager or clinical educator, or even pursuing advanced practice roles like nurse practitioner. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, continuing education programs, and mentorship to support growth. Nurses may also expand their expertise by obtaining certifications in areas such as critical care, oncology, or pediatrics. Advancement often depends on experience, additional education, and demonstrated leadership ability.

How to make 150,000 as a nurse?

To earn $150,000 as a nurse, professionals often pursue advanced roles such as nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist, which require additional certifications and education. Working in high-demand specialties, gaining extensive experience, and working in settings like hospitals or surgical centers can also increase earning potential. Some nurses supplement income through overtime, travel assignments, or leadership positions.

What is the difference between Nursing vs Medical Assistant?

AspectNursingMedical Assistant
Required CredentialsRN license, nursing degreePost-secondary certificate or diploma
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, long-term careDoctor's offices, outpatient clinics
Job ResponsibilitiesPatient care, administering medications, health assessmentsVital signs, patient prep, administrative tasks
Industry UsageHealthcare, hospitals, clinicsPrimary care, outpatient services

While both Nursing and Medical Assistants work in healthcare settings, nurses have advanced training, licensing, and broader responsibilities in patient care. Medical Assistants typically support physicians with basic clinical and administrative tasks. Nursing offers more opportunities for specialization and higher-level patient care, whereas Medical Assistants focus on assisting with routine procedures and clerical work.

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

To thrive as a Nurse, you need a solid foundation in clinical knowledge, patient care, and medical procedures, typically supported by a nursing degree and licensure (such as RN or LPN). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), medical equipment, and patient management systems is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure help nurses deliver compassionate care and communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for providing safe, effective care and ensuring positive patient outcomes in demanding healthcare environments.

What is nursing?

Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on caring for individuals, families, and communities to help them achieve, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses work in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and community centers. They perform a wide range of duties, including administering medication, monitoring patient health, assisting with daily activities, educating patients about health conditions, and providing emotional support. Nurses collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.

What is the highest paid nursing job?

The highest paid nursing roles are often Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse Midwives, with Nurse Anesthetists typically earning the highest salaries due to advanced training and certification requirements. These roles usually require a master's degree, specialized certification, and work in hospitals or surgical settings. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and work environment but generally exceed $150,000 annually.

What are the most common nursing jobs?

The most common nursing jobs include registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). These roles involve patient care in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, often requiring specific certifications and clinical experience.

What Are Nursing Jobs?

Nursing jobs encompass a number of positions in the health care industry. There are several levels, including registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners, and nurse assistants. Each position has different duties and functions. RNs are responsible for much of a patient’s primary care, including educating them on health and wellbeing, managing disease, recommending alternate treatments, and providing emotional support. Nurse practitioners have additional duties and specializations, such as midwifery and assisting in anesthesiology, which require high levels of education and training.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nursing jobs in California? The most popular types of Nursing jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Nursing jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Nursing jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Nursing jobs? Cities in California with the most Nursing job openings:
Infographic showing various Nursing job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,744 per year, or $43.1 per hour.

DIRECTOR OF NURSING ( Skilled Nursing Facility )

SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

Palm Desert, CA • On-site

$155K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY

Plans, coordinates and manages the nursing department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of nursing care and services provided to the residents. Maintains for each level of nursing personnel the nursing services philosophy and objectives, standards and practice, policies and procedures, and job descriptions. Provides quality care that is consistent with company and regulatory standards. May be designated to assume responsibilities of daily operations of the facility in the Administrator’s absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provides nursing staff is providing quality and appropriate resident / patient care that meets or exceeds company and regulatory standards.

Assists in the preparation of annual budget for facility. Monitors monthly performance of nursing services in relation to budget and intervenes as needed.

Schedules and performs resident / patient rounds to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of nursing care.

Maintains administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the proper charting and documentation of care and of medications and treatments.

Recruits, hires, provide orientation/training, and retain a sufficient number of qualified staff to carry out nursing programs and services. Oversees employee performance meets or exceeds expectations and periodic performance appraisals are conducted on a timely basis.

Disciplines staff in accordance with facility protocols and regulations.

Develops and implements the written staffing plan and nursing schedule that reflects the needs of the resident and resident population.

Confirms all required records are maintained and submitted, as appropriate, in an accurate and timely manner.

Evaluates current and potential residents and patients to confirm facility can provide appropriate level of care.

Evaluates market studies and develops clinical programs to meet the needs of the community.

Maintains regular and ongoing communication with facility Medical Director ensuring programs and care services meet the needs of patients / residents.

Promotes residents’/patients’ rights.

Promotes environment of care standards and regulations applicable to the nursing practice.

Reinforces infection control protocols and regulations.

Applies process improvement methods and techniques; identifies processes for improvement in daily work.

Completes required forms and documents in accordance with company policy and state and/or federal regulations.

Manages all aspects of state or federal government survey processes.

May occasionally be required to perform patient care duties.

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing, Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred

Valid State licensure as an RN

Maintains current CPR certification

Additional certification in nursing specialty desired

Two to three (2-3) years of management or supervisory experience in long-term care, acute care, restorative or geriatric nursing preferred

  • ther certifications as required by State

Proficient in the use of personal computer

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises nursing staff and others for whom they are administratively or professionally responsible.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, nursing/resident/patient progress notes and nursing procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from department heads, customers (residents/patients, responsible parties, family members, physicians, etc.) and the general public. Computer skills preferred.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Demonstrates active listening techniques; gains support through effective relationships; treats others with dignity and respect; seeks feedback; sets clear standards for performance; evaluates job performance and provides feedback; establishes systems to measure effectiveness; efficiency and service; creates and maintains reporting mechanisms.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute, rate, ratio and percent, ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram or schedule form.

LEADERSHIPSKILLS

Demonstrates willingness to try new tasks, generates new ideas for change, evaluates and recognizes priorities, challenges others to learn, keeps current and integrates new information, communicates and models organization values and fosters high performance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENT

May be required to respond to critical issues on a 24/7 basis. Employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands or fingers, reach with hands and arms, feel, talk and hear. Employee will occasionally assist to lift and / or transfer patients weighing between 100 to 250 pounds. Employee is occasionally exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. In compliance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions for the position.

  • THER REQUIREMENTS

Participates in (or conducts) company-sponsored training to safeguard against improper use and disclosure of resident’s protected health information. Monitors and oversees facility’s efforts to comply with company policies, procedures and state and federal law. By his / her signature below, employee agrees to adhere to and oversee communication of privacy guidelines relative to the confidentiality of residents’ protected health information.

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW

I understand this job description, its requirements and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned. I understand the job duties may be altered from time to time.


SALARY RANGE: $155,000 to $160,000 PER YEAR DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE ( with free insurance )

Mariner Healthcare reserves the right to discontinue any bonus program at anytime.