How to Become an RN in California – A Simple Guide

Okay, so you want to become a registered nurse (RN) in California, but you aren’t sure how. 

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! 

In this article, we’re going to give 5 simple steps on how to become an RN in California.

And we’ll also answer some of the most common questions related to this, such as:

• Which California cities offer the best opportunities for RNs?
• What are Magnet Hospitals in California?
• What are the work schedule and nurse-to-patient ratio like for RNs Working in Hospitals in California?
• What is the use of an interim or temporary nursing license? Should I get one?  

Then finish with some helpful resources for California RNs.

Let’s jump right into it! 

How to Become a Registered Nurse in California: The 5 Simple Steps

Here are 5 simple steps to becoming an RN in California:

1. Choose the Best Nursing Program for You
2. Choose the Best Nursing School for You
3. Obtain Your California Nursing License
4. Find Your First Nursing Job in California
5. Pursue Continuing Education to Keep Your California License Active

Let’s look at each step, one by one!

How to Become an RN in California Step #1: Choose the Best Nursing Program for You

In California, there are three main nursing programs you can choose from to qualify to become an RN. There are also two alternative programs.

Let’s start with the 3 main programs or routes.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

If you would like to take a shorter and cheaper route to becoming an RN in California, then you can choose to take ADN. 

This program only takes about 2-3 years to complete. 

It is offered in many community colleges and is often cheaper than a full BSN degree. 

You can already pursue your passion to become a registered nurse in numerous settings with an ADN degree.

But, if you want to specialize or have more opportunities, then you might want to consider a BSN or ELM degree instead (which we will discuss later). 

Another option is to take an ADN degree first, gain experience, and save up before going into further studies.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

If you want to offer specialized nursing care or to have administrative or leadership positions, then BSN might be the best option for you. 

This program takes 4 years to complete. 

It is offered in many California state universities and private colleges. 

BSN takes longer and is more expensive than an ADN degree, but it allows you to develop a higher skill-set. 

It also opens up more work opportunities and higher compensation for an RN in California. 

Also, many hospitals hire only BSN-RNs, and the demand for BSN graduates is greatly intensifying. 

Entry Level Masters Program in Nursing (ELM)

If you already graduated with another Baccalaureate degree, but realize that you want to become an RN, then you can think of getting an ELM.

This program takes about 1-2 years to complete, depending on what prerequisites you were able to take in your previous degree. 

Those who graduate from this program obtain a master’s degree. 

LVN 30 Unit Option

Aside from the three main routes mentioned above, there are also two other possible routes to become an RN in California.

Let’s look at the LVN 30 Unit Option first. 

If you are already a California Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), then this is a possible route that you can take. 

You can upgrade your LVN status to an RN status by taking extra units.

This takes about 18-24 months to complete

You will not be conferred a degree after you complete the hours, however. 

And most other states do not recognize California’s LVN 30 Unit Option. Your RN license and practice will be limited to California only. 

So, if you want to be able to obtain an RN license in other states, then you should upgrade your LVN status through an ADN or BSN degree program. 

Some units from your LVN course may be credited, but you will need to check with the specific school you are interested in. 

Military Medical Corpsman

If you are a military medical corpsman who wishes to become an RN in California, then you will need to complete either an ADN or BSN degree first.

You may receive some credit for your training, but you have to check with the California nursing school you are interested in. 

How to Become an RN in California Step #2: Choose the Best Nursing School for You

Once you have selected the best nursing program for you, it is time to think about which school you should enroll in.

There are a lot of factors to consider, such as geographic location, enrollment fees, class schedules, etc.

But make sure that the school is state-approved or accredited. This is the most important thing to consider.

It would also be good to choose a school with a high NCLEX passing rate, to increase your own chances of passing the exam. 

Don’t worry! There are over 140 California nursing schools that you can choose from. 

Most of the schools have websites, so it would be good if you visit them to get a feel of the school beforehand. 

You can also visit the campuses and meet some of the staff and professors. This would give you an even better idea of the educational environment. 

Then finally, consider enrolling in more than one school to give you a better chance of getting a slot. Remember that competition is high and slots may be limited. 

Each program and each school may have slightly different enrollment requirements, but here are a few things that you might want to be ready with:

• ACT or SAT score requirements
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam
• High school and/or previous college transcript
• Application letter
• Application interview
• Letters of recommendation
• Background checks

How to Become an RN in California Step #3: Obtain your California Nursing License

To practice as an RN in California, you need to have a license from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Just like in other states, there are two main ways to obtain an RN license in California; through examination or endorsement. 

Obtaining a California RN License by Examination 

If you’ve just graduated from an accredited nursing program, or if you never had an RN license before, then you’ll need to apply for a license through examination. 

You need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, to become a registered nurse. 

Licensure through examination is also the only option for you if you are from another country. This is true even if you are already a registered nurse in your own country. 

These are the requirements needed to apply for licensure by examination in California:

1. Application Form for Licensure by Examination

This can be done manually (by sending a mail) or online (by creating a BreEZe account). 

2. Appropriate Fees 

3. Completed Fingerprints 

This can be done using either the Live Scan Process (online) or the Applicant Fingerprint Card (manual).

4. Transcript of Records

The nursing school you graduated from usually takes care of this process by sending your transcripts directly to the CA BRN. 

Check with your school on this process.

5. Completed Request for Accommodation of Disabilities Form(s), if applicable

6. Documents and/or Letters of Explanation for Past Disciplinary Action, if applicable

For a more detailed guide, you can check out  the California Board of Registered Nursing website.

Obtaining a California RN License by Endorsement or Reciprocity

If you have an RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, then you can seek to apply for a California license through endorsement (or reciprocity). 

But, you need to make sure that your license is current and active.

You also need to make sure that the educational program that you graduated from meets the California educational requirements.

Aside from these, you need to have passed the NCLEX-RN exam or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE).

If you meet all these requirements, then you can seek to apply for licensure through endorsement. 

But, if you lack any of these requirements, then you will need to apply through examination. 

These are the requirements needed to apply for licensure by endorsement in California:

1. Application Form for Licensure by Endorsement

This can also be done manually (by sending a mail) or online (by creating a BreEZe account). 

2. Appropriate Application Fees 

3. Completed Fingerprints

This can be done using either the Live Scan Process (online) or the Applicant Fingerprint Card (manual).

4. Two-inch by Two-inch Passport Photo

5. Verification of Nursing License from Previous State

This is usually done through the Nursys website. 

But if the state you are from does not use this site, then you will need to request the board of nursing in your state to send the verification to the CA BRN. 

6. Transcript of Records

You will need to ask the nursing school you graduated from to send your transcripts to the CA BRN. 

7. Documents and/or Letters of Explanation for Past Disciplinary Action, if applicable

For more details of application by endorsement, you can check out this link.

How to Become an RN in California Step #4: Find Your First Nursing Job in California

Good news! The job outlook for nurses in California looks great in terms of employment rate, annual salary, and job opportunities. 

Employment Rate of Registered Nurses in California

California employs the most registered nurses in the country.

Employment of RNs is already high and is even projected to increase by 17% from the period 2016 to 2026. 

This is even higher than the projected increase for registered nurses in the other states!

You can find this table on the official website of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Annual Salary of Registered Nurses in California

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of Registered Nurses in California is $120,560, with an hourly mean wage of $57.96. 

Nurses in California earn a higher annual salary than nurses in any of the other states. 

You can see this table on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Job Opportunities for Registered Nurses in California

You already know that being an RN in California can be very rewarding because of the nature of the job itself, but also because of the compensation.

But where should you start looking for an RN job in California?

Well, that really depends on where your interests lie and what your personal goals are.

However, if you are looking for a starting job, a hospital might be your best bet. 

About two-thirds of the registered nurses in California are employed in either state, local, or private hospitals. 

This is mostly true for the RN-BSN nurses. Most hospitals look to hire BSN graduates. 

Aside from the hospital setting, there are other job opportunities for an RN in California, as well. 

Here is a list of the other opportunities with their percentage employment rate:

• Non-hospital ambulatory settings such as doctor’s offices and surgical centers: 8.1% 
• Skilled nursing, extended care, and rehabilitation settings: 5.1%; 
• Home health: 3.4%. 
• Other settings include schools, drug and alcohol treatment centers, public health departments, and dialysis centers, among others.

How to Become an RN in California Step #5: Pursue Continuing Education to Keep Your California License Active

Obtaining your California license is not the end of the road for you. 

In many ways, it’s just the beginning of a life-long journey of education and improvement. 

Just like in other states, you need to keep your license active and your RN practice alive by engaging in continuing education.

California RN Continuing Education Requirements

In California, RNs must engage in at least 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years. 

This can be done in the form of accredited training and specializations, based on your needs or interests.

For CE, courses must be approved by the California Board of Nursing.

You may study:

• Homestudy courses
• Continuing Medical Education (CME Category 1)
• College Courses (as long as they meet the criteria found here)
• And courses approved by other entities (such as other states’ Boards of Nursing, or courses accredited by the ANCC

Also, if you have just been licensed, there is no need to take continuing education until the next 2-year cycle.

License Upgrades

If you have graduated with an ADN degree, you may consider taking a BSN degree at some point. 

If you have graduated with a BSN degree, you may also consider taking a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and then a doctorate later on. 

Whatever path you take in continuing education, remember that you need at least 30 credits every 2 years to keep your license active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming an RN in California 

Now that we’ve discussed the 5 simple steps of becoming an RN in California, let’s answer some common questions.

Which California Cities Offer the Best Opportunities for RNs?

The highest paying cities for RNs in California are San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward. 

We already know that California offers the highest average annual pay for RNs across the country. But the payment differs per city! 

Here is a list of the highest-paying cities with their average salary per hour:

SF-Oakland-Hayward: $71.73 per hour

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara: $70.61 per hour

Vallejo-Fairfield: $68.34 per hour

What are Magnet Hospitals in California? 

Magnet Hospitals are hospitals that have the best work environment, highest quality of nursing practice, and best patient outcomes. 

Healthcare organizations are evaluated and accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

This is to ensure that excellent nursing practices and care are upheld in the organizations.

The Magnet designation is the highest recognition from the ANCC.

California boasts a long list of Magnet hospitals. You can find a list here.

Applying for work in one of these Magnet hospitals could be a good move for you!

What are the Work Schedule and Nurse-to-Patient Ratio like for RNs Working in Hospitals in California?

A nurse in a California hospital usually works for 12 hours, 3-4 times a week, handling a 1:5 nurse-to-patient ratio. 

Nurses in hospitals or nursing homes usually work in shifts, because they have to cover 24 hours of patient care.

A nurse may need to work in the evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

California law mandates a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 (one nurse for every 5 patients). 

In intensive care units, however, the ratio is 1:2 (one nurse for every 2 patients). 

Because of the low nurse-to-patient ratio in California, nurses are not overworked, and can provide better care to their patients. 

What is the Use of an Interim or Temporary Nursing License? Should I Get One?  

An interim or temporary nursing license allows you to have limited and supervised nursing work while waiting for your permanent license to be released. 

Obtaining a permanent RN license in California can take really long, because of the sheer number of applicants and the long list of requirements.

Those who are applying for a license through examination can, therefore, apply for an interim permit, while those applying for a license through endorsement can apply for a temporary license. 

The interim permit or temporary license is valid for 6 months or until the permanent license is obtained, whichever comes first. 

The process for obtaining an interim or temporary license requires extra payments (about $100) and can take some time, as well.

The advantage of obtaining one while waiting for a permanent license will depend on how early you want to start working and whether or not you are willing to pay the extra fees.

Helpful Resources for California RNs

• California Board of Nursing Website (Official)
• Information for RN Applicants (Official)
• California RN Continuing Education Requirements (Official)
• Associate Degree Programs (ADNS) Approved by California BON
• Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) approved by California BON

List of Associate Degree Programs (ADNs) in California

Here’s a list of ADN programs approved by the California BON.

Visit the California BON website for updates.

List of Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) in California

Here’s a list of BSN programs approved by the California BON:

Visit the California BON website for updates.

Conclusion

That’s it!

We’ve given you a simple 5-step guide to becoming a registered nurse in California.

We’ve also answered some common questions about nursing in California.

Nursing is, indeed, a challenging but rewarding profession! 

And there’s no better place to start your nursing journey and pursue your nursing passion than in California! 

We hope this article helped you and brought you one step closer to fulfilling your dreams.