Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs in California

Clinical Nursing Instructor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in academic medical centers, community college nursing programs, and large health system education departments, with openings at every level from clinical teaching associate through program director. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where institutions like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the California State University system maintain ongoing demand. Simulation education, obstetrics, and critical care are the most consistently sought specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles13+
Top employerUniversity of San Francisco
Top citySacramento, CA
Cities hiring5
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 13+ Clinical Nursing Instructor jobs

Redlands Community Hospital
Radiology Tech Clinical Instructor
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Redlands Community Hospital
Added 2w ago
Radiology Tech Clinical Instructor
Redlands Community Hospital
Redlands, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Radiology / Imaging
$41 - $59/hr
On-Site
None
1,001-5,000

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Pacific Union College
RN Clinical Instructor: Medical-Surgical
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Pacific Union College
Added 1mo ago
RN Clinical Instructor: Medical-Surgical
Pacific Union College
Costa Mesa, California
Nursing
Teaching & Instruction
Corporate Training & Learning Development
$94k - $135k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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University of San Francisco
Adjunct Obstetrics Nursing Clinical Faculty
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University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Obstetrics Nursing Clinical Faculty
University of San Francisco
Orange, California
Nursing
Teaching & Instruction
Healthcare Administration
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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University of San Francisco
Adjunct Community & Mental Health Nursing Clinical Faculty
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University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Community & Mental Health Nursing Clinical Faculty
University of San Francisco
Sacramento, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Teaching & Instruction
Mental & Behavioral Health
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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University of San Francisco
Adjunct Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical Faculty
We won't show you this job again
University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical Faculty
University of San Francisco
Sacramento, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 13 Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs in California

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Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sacramento
7 jobs
Orange
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Costa Mesa
1 jobs
Redlands
1 jobs

Clinical Nursing Instructor Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • University of San Francisco
    University of San Francisco6
  • University of the Pacific
    University of the Pacific4
  • Pacific Union College
    Pacific Union College1
  • Redlands Community Hospital
    Redlands Community Hospital1
  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education12
  • Healthcare & Medical Services2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical nursing instructor jobs across California.

  • Active California Registered Nurse license in good standing with the Board of Registered Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing required, master's degree in nursing or education strongly preferred
  • Minimum one to two years of recent clinical practice in a relevant specialty area
  • Experience teaching or precepting nursing students in a clinical or simulation setting
  • Familiarity with California Board of Registered Nursing regulations governing nursing education programs
  • Current BLS certification and any specialty certification relevant to the teaching area

Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical nursing instructor in California?

You must hold an active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN. Most California community colleges and university nursing programs also require a master's degree in nursing or a health-related field, plus documented clinical experience in the specialty you will teach. Public community colleges have additional hiring criteria set by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, so candidates should review those standards as well.

How much do clinical nursing instructors make in California?

Clinical nursing instructors in California earn a median of about $81,960 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $47,840 for the lowest 10% to over $164,450 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire clinical nursing instructors in California?

Employers hiring clinical nursing instructors in California right now include University of San Francisco, University of the Pacific, and Pacific Union College, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of academic medical centers, large integrated health systems, and one of the largest public community college networks in the country means consistent year-round demand across both clinical and classroom instructor roles.

Which California cities have the most clinical nursing instructor jobs?

Sacramento, Orange, and San Francisco have the most clinical nursing instructor openings in California. Los Angeles and the Bay Area lead because of their high concentration of research hospitals, nursing schools, and large health systems, while Sacramento's role as a regional healthcare hub and home to major state university campuses drives consistent hiring there as well.

Are there remote clinical nursing instructor jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Clinical nursing instructor roles are inherently hands-on, requiring direct supervision of students in hospital units, skills labs, or simulation centers, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of clinical nursing instructor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in curriculum development, online theory courses, or administrative education coordinator functions rather than direct clinical teaching.

How can I get hired as a clinical nursing instructor in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is transitioning from a bedside clinical role into a part-time adjunct or per-diem clinical faculty position, which most California community colleges and CSU campuses post regularly and use to build their instructor pipeline. Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health both run internal nurse educator development programs that experienced staff nurses can apply to without prior formal teaching history. Earning a certification from the National League for Nursing as a Certified Nurse Educator, even as a candidate, gives applicants a visible edge in California program searches.

Where can I find and apply to clinical nursing instructor jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical nursing instructor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that fit your specialty and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 13 Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs in California

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