California BA/BS to BSN Careers

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 4-year degree that prepares students to work in a variety of healthcare settings from public and community health to specialized care. The BSN program also prepares students for graduate and doctorate level study. Many BSN students are registered nurses (RNs) already working in the field. These individuals have chosen to pursue a BSN for better pay, advancement opportunities, more responsibility, or in preparation for an advanced degree program.

Some potential BSN students hold a BA/BS degree in another field. In these cases, the BA/BS to BSN is the best program option for college graduates wishing to become a registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor's degree in nursing. In general, RNs with a BSN degree hold positions as research assistants, in nurse education, public/community health, consulting, specialized care, and some leadership positions.

Although registered nurses (RNs) of all degree levels are in high demand, nurses that hold a 4-year degree or higher have access to even better opportunities. This is especially true in the State of California, which has the highest population of RNs in the U.S.

BA/BS to BSN Education and Training Programs

A BA/BS to BSN program prepares students to take the licensing examination for registered professional nurse (RN) and to apply for admission to ELM (Entry-level Master’s) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Depending on the number of completed general education requirements, a typical BA/BS to BSN program may take around 1.5 years to complete.

Course titles vary by school, but students can expect to take Clinical Applications of Anatomy and Physiology, Health and the Older Adult, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing, Professional Nursing, Nursing Foundation, Nursing Care of Families, Nursing Research, Nursing Care of Populations and Communities, and Pharmacotherapeutics in Nursing Practice.

BA/BS to BSN Schools and Training Programs in California

California is home to more RN training programs than any other state. It is also home to a large number of nurse training programs that offer a BSN. However, Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, is one of the few schools in the state that offer a BA/BS to BSN program.

Employment and Earnings Outlook for California Registered Nurses (RNs)

The U.S. is home to 2,711,500 registered nurses (RNs), averaging $65,470 per year, and the numbers are growing. In 2008, the nation was home to 2,542,760 RNs averaging $65,130 per year. For the 2012-2022 decade, employment for RNs is expected to increase by 19% or 526,800 jobs.

The State of California is home to 249,980 RNs averaging around $94,120 per year, up from $83,040 in 2008 when the state was home to 240,470 RNs. As stated earlier, California has the nation’s highest employment level for RNs, with the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale Metro Area leading the pack. Home to 69,540 RNs, this metro area has the 3rd highest employment level for this occupation (among metro areas).

California also offers the nation’s highest average salary for RNs and it is home to the Top 10 Highest Paying Metro Areas for this occupation. The areas include:

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, $122,990 per year
2. Vallejo-Fairfield, $119,310
3. Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, $113,520
4. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, $110,630
5. Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, $107,710
6. Salinas, $105,610
7. Napa, $104,440
8. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, $102,990
9. Modesto, $100,780
10. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, $98,050

Across the nation, the top 10% of RNs averaged $94,720 per year in 2012, and the bottom 10% averaged $45,040 per year.