According to the Department of Labor, registered nurses occupied 2.5 million jobs in 2006, making them the largest health care sector. Registered Nurses provide treatment and education to individuals, as well as to communities, teaching them about health and disease prevention. They also support family members of patients, offering advice and mental health referrals when necessary.

In the state of California, the scope of RN practice includes:
• Administering blood and blood products

• Administering medications and treatments

• Initiating, maintaining and discontinuing IV fluid lines

• Taking patient medical histories

• Recording patient-care observations

• Supervising RNs, LVNs and nursing assistants

• Physical assessments

• Administers immunizations

• Some may diagnose disease and write prescriptions

California Wages For Registered Nurses Highest in the Nation

While the national mean annual wage for RNs is approximately $65,000, nurses working in California are some of the highest paid in the country, earning about $83,000. The top-earning metropolitan areas are in the Northern California Bay Area, reporting mean annual wages of $88,000 to over $104,000. Advanced practice nurses and those who specialize typically earn more.

Job opportunities for RNs are expected to be excellent, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicting more than 1 million new and replacement workers will be needed by 2012 in the nursing field alone, and as many as 5.3 million allied health care vacancies as well.

How to Become a Registered Nurse in California

The traditional path to becoming a registered nurse is by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. However, many do take alternate routes such as completing an associate program (ADN), diploma or even LVN training first. After they have worked awhile, they obtain further education. While both the BSN and ADN programs will qualify an individual for entry-level positions, some specialties require completion of a bachelor’s degree. All advanced-practice areas require at least a master’s degree. Whatever the educational path, all registered nursing programs require completion of preparatory coursework prior to admittance.

Upon finishing nursing school, students must sit for the RN licensing examination, called the NCLEX. The California Board of Registered Nursing determines the licensing requirements, duties, roles and responsibilities for RN practice. It is essential to contact the board regarding specific licensure requirements.

Opportunity for Specialization or Advanced Practice

With experience and further education, registered nurses may specialize in various areas:

• Pediatric nursing – Provides care to infants, children and adolescents.

• Oncology nursing – Cares for patients with cancer.

• Orthopedic nursing – Provides care to patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

• Public Health nursing – Focuses upon care and prevention of illness in the community.

• Geriatric nursing – Provides care to aged and elderly patients.

• Psychiatric nursing – Cares for patients with mental disorders.

• Critical care – Provides care to unstable patients in intensive care units.

With even more continued education, registered nurses enjoy opportunities for career growth, some opting to work in areas of advanced practice. In California, there are four areas of advanced practice:

• Nurse Anesthetists – Registered nurses who administer anesthesia.

• Nurse Practitioners – Registered nurses who diagnose, manage and treat medical conditions. They also prescribe medication under the supervision of a licensed physician.

• Nurse-Midwifery – Provides prenatal, birthing, and post-partum care to expectant mothers.

• Clinical Nurse Specialists – Registered nurses who specialize in a particular disease process (such as cancer or heart disease), population (such as neonates or geriatrics), medical procedure (such as orthopedic surgery), or medical environment, such as intensive care, or emergency.

Registered nurses provide care and treatment to patients experiencing a vast array of healthcare problems. The scope of practice for RN’s in the state of California is broad as duties and responsibilities may include administering meds, and blood as well as supervising other nursing personnel. Some nurses can diagnose disease and write prescriptions.

California nurses enjoy some of the highest wages in the nation, and have many opportunities for growth and career advancement as there are several pathways to becoming a registered nurse. Many opt to begin at the LVN level, get experience and later obtain further education. All RN programs require a pre-nursing core of coursework to be completed prior to enrollment in nursing school. With additional experience and a masters degree in nursing, registered nurses in California may specialize in a particular area of nursing care, such as Oncology or Critical Care and progress to the advanced practice areas.

Learn More About Nursing Degree Programs
Achieve the education you need to turn your career goals into reality by requesting program information from nursing schools that offer accredited nursing degree programs that match your needs:

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