Clinical Nurse Jobs in California
Clinical Nurse jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in hospital systems, outpatient clinics, and specialty care centers, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinical lead. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major systems like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCSF Health maintain deep clinical staffing needs. The most in-demand specialties are critical care, oncology, and pediatrics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary: The Clinical Nurse B – Inpatient, utilizes discretion and independent judgment to provide, coordinate and document direct/indirect age-specific and developmentally appropriate quality patient-centered care in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision. Performs the nursing process (assessment, care planning, intervention, evaluation) in accordance with LLUMC's established Professional Practice Model (Duffy's Quality Caring Theory). Embraces new knowledge, innovations and improvements in practice and applies theoretical concepts to clinical practice and exhibits self-motivation to continually expand knowledge base and clinical skills with a focus in area of specialty and patient population served. Exhibits interpersonal skills that portray professionalism and maximize excellence in customer service and safe patient care. Functions in a skills mix environment and directly supervises and delegates tasks to licensed and unlicensed staff. Meets qualifications, licensure, certifications and competencies as defined in the unit/department-specific Plan for Providing Care. Contributes to a work environment of caring and cooperation among a culturally diverse workforce and patient population. May be required to participate in on-call rotation based on department business needs. May be requested to serve in Shift Coordinator role upon completion of Shift Coordinator orientation. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) required. If hired into the CN-B position prior to April 1, 2020, an Associate Degree or Diploma Degree in Nursing required. Minimum of one year experience required. New hires are eligible to be promoted into the CN-C classification when criteria outlined in the Clinical Nurse Ladder handbook and job specifications outlined in CN-C job description are met.
Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrates basic competencies in clinical nursing. Ability to apply theoretical concepts to clinical practice and continually expands knowledge base and clinical skills with a focus in area of specialty and population served. Basic knowledge of healthcare regulations and accreditation required. Exhibits professional behavior at all times and works calmly and responds courteously when under pressure. Able to: speak, read and write legibly in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer, printer and software programs necessary to the position, e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, electronic medical record, electronic event reporting program; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment; perform technical patient care activities; relate and communicate positively, effectively and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; lead, supervise, teach and collaborate; accept direction; think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; organize and prioritize workload; problem solve; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail; distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; discern temperature variances through touch; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records and written documents necessary to position.
Licensures and Certifications: Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license required. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association required. Other certifications required as listed in the department-specific Plan for Providing Care.
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Find Clinical Nurse JobsClinical Nurse Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Nurse Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Loma Linda University Health55

- Sutter Health21

- City of Hope18

- Sharp HealthCare18

- Kaiser Permanente14

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services53
- Education28
- Science & Research11
- Non-Profit & Social Services1
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical nurse jobs across California.
- Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification for acute care and ICU settings
- Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program
- Minimum one to two years of clinical experience in a relevant specialty or care setting
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for care coordination and documentation
Clinical Nurse Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical nurse in California?
To become a clinical nurse in California, you must earn an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program, then pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing. The Board reviews education credentials and requires a criminal background check before issuing an active license. Most California hospital systems also require BLS certification at the time of hire.
How much do clinical nurses make in California?
Clinical nurses in California earn a median of about $140,270 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $101,260 for the lowest 10% to over $213,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire clinical nurses in California?
Employers hiring clinical nurses in California right now include Loma Linda University Health, Sutter Health, and City of Hope, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's scale and density of integrated health systems means ongoing hiring across acute care, ambulatory, and specialty settings statewide.
Which California cities have the most clinical nurse jobs?
Loma Linda, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most clinical nurse openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego concentrate hiring through large academic medical centers and county health systems, while San Francisco's density of specialty and research hospitals, including UCSF Health and CPMC, drives consistent demand in the Bay Area.
Are there remote clinical nurse jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical nursing is fundamentally a hands-on, patient-facing role, so most positions require on-site presence in a hospital, clinic, or care facility. About 27% of clinical nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and the roles that do qualify are typically telephone triage, case management, or utilization review positions.
How can I get hired as a clinical nurse in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate residency program, which large California systems such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, and Sutter Health run specifically for nurses with fewer than twelve months of post-licensure experience. These structured programs place new grads in med-surg or telemetry units and provide supervised clinical progression. Candidates transitioning from licensed vocational nurse or patient care technician roles carry a strong advantage, and holding an active California Board of Registered Nursing license before applying is essential.
Where can I find and apply to clinical nurse jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical nurse jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each one.
See All 295+ Clinical Nurse Jobs in California
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