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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Gurnick Academy is a leading Bay Area private healthcare college offering an extensive variety of Nursing, Allied healthcare, and Imaging programs.
Gurnick Academy is seeking an experienced LVN or RN Clinical Instructor for our Vocational Nursing Program, San Jose, CA Campus.
Shift Availability:
2:30pm-11:30pm, 2-3 Days a week (Part-Time) or 4-5 days a week (Full Time)
Part-Time Hourly Pay Range: $39.00-$55.00/hr
Full-Time Salary Range: $89,000-$105,000/year
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach assigned classes in a Clinical setting for our Vocational Nursing program.
- Meet with didactic and clinical faculty members to discuss program development.
- Support the Campus Director and Nursing Program Coordinator in the organization of the program and implementation of the program's standards.
- Maintain continuous knowledge of medical education and assure about the facilities continuous medical education requirements.
- The BVNPT is requiring a Bachelor's degree for LVN and RN for faculty candidates
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An instructor in a vocational nursing program shall have or be currently attending a course offered by an approved school in teaching; and shall meet the requirements of: Subsection A or B, below:
- (A) Registered Nurse:
- Hold a current California active license as a Registered Nurse; and
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an approved school; or a valid teaching credential; or have completed a minimum of one year full-time teaching experience in a state approved registered nursing or vocational or practical nursing, or psychiatric technician school within the last five years; or met community college or state university teaching requirements in California; and
- Have a minimum of three years experience as a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse within the last five years
- (B) Licensed Vocational Nurse:
- Hold a current California active license as a Vocational Nurse; and
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an approved school; or a valid teaching credential; or have completed a minimum of one year full-time teaching experience in a state approved registered nursing or vocational or practical nursing, or psychiatric technician school within the last five years; or met community college or state university teaching requirements in California; and
- Have a minimum of three years experience as a vocational nurse within the last five years.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by any applicable law.
Gurnick Academy is a leading Bay Area private healthcare college offering an extensive variety of Nursing, Allied healthcare, and Imaging programs.
Gurnick Academy is seeking an experienced LVN or RN Clinical Instructor for our Vocational Nursing Program, San Jose, CA Campus.
Shift Availability:
2:30pm-11:30pm, 2-3 Days a week (Part-Time) or 4-5 days a week (Full Time)
Part-Time Hourly Pay Range: $39.00-$55.00/hr
Full-Time Salary Range: $89,000-$105,000/year
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach assigned classes in a Clinical setting for our Vocational Nursing program.
- Meet with didactic and clinical faculty members to discuss program development.
- Support the Campus Director and Nursing Program Coordinator in the organization of the program and implementation of the program's standards.
- Maintain continuous knowledge of medical education and assure about the facilities continuous medical education requirements.
- The BVNPT is requiring a Bachelor's degree for LVN and RN for faculty candidates
-
An instructor in a vocational nursing program shall have or be currently attending a course offered by an approved school in teaching; and shall meet the requirements of: Subsection A or B, below:
- (A) Registered Nurse:
- Hold a current California active license as a Registered Nurse; and
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an approved school; or a valid teaching credential; or have completed a minimum of one year full-time teaching experience in a state approved registered nursing or vocational or practical nursing, or psychiatric technician school within the last five years; or met community college or state university teaching requirements in California; and
- Have a minimum of three years experience as a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse within the last five years
- (B) Licensed Vocational Nurse:
- Hold a current California active license as a Vocational Nurse; and
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an approved school; or a valid teaching credential; or have completed a minimum of one year full-time teaching experience in a state approved registered nursing or vocational or practical nursing, or psychiatric technician school within the last five years; or met community college or state university teaching requirements in California; and
- Have a minimum of three years experience as a vocational nurse within the last five years.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by any applicable law.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Nursing Instructor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
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 Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, Legacy Education, and West Coast University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Ontario, San Jose, and West Covina 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 17% of clinical nursing instructor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 18 Clinical Nursing Instructor Jobs in California
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