California BSN and Accelerated 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. Most BSN students are registered nurses (RNs) already working in the field. These individuals have chosen to pursue a BSN for higher pay, advancement opportunities, more responsibility, or in preparation for an advanced degree program.

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 or advanced degree 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.

BSN and Accelerated BSN Education and Training Programs

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), accelerated BSN students receive the same number of clinical hours as their counterparts in traditional BSN programs. However, an accelerated BSN (also “ABSN”) can be completed in less than half the amount of time it takes to complete a traditional 4-year program.

To accomplish this, an accelerated BSN program requires a heavier credit load and intense clinical experiences. There are no breaks between full-time sessions, and students typically complete their coursework through a combination of classroom and online study. However, some programs do not offer distance coursework, in which case, the student will spend a significant amount of time in the classroom and lab.

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

BSN and Accelerated 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 leading to a BSN. Some of the best include:

American University of Health Sciences, Long Beach, CA
Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
California Baptist University, Riverside, CA
California College-San Diego, San Diego, CA
California State University, Bakersfield, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Sacramento, San Bernardino, CA
California State University –Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
California State University-Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA
California State University–East Bay, Hayward, CA
California State University-Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA
California State University-Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA
Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA
Holy Names University, Oakland, CA
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Mills College, Oakland, CA
Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA
Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA
Simpson University, Redding, CA
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA

Some of top accelerated BSN programs in the state include:

California State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, CA (BSN and Accelerated BSN)
National Polytechnic College of Science, Wilmington, CA (Accelerated BSN only)
National University, La Jolla, CA (BSN and Accelerated BSN)
Remington College, San Diego, CA (Accelerated BSN only)
United States University, San Diego, CA (Accelerated BSN only)

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.