ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in California

ICU Registered Nurse jobs in California represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, concentrated across Level I trauma centers, large academic medical systems, and cardiothoracic and neurocritical care units, with openings from new-graduate residents through experienced charge nurses. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where systems like Cedars-Sinai, UCSF Health, and Kaiser Permanente maintain large critical care departments. The most in-demand specialties are cardiac ICU, neuro ICU, and medical-surgical intensive care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find ICU Registered Nurse Jobs

Overview

Open roles285+
Top employerAmerican Traveler
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring106
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 285+ ICU Registered Nurse jobs

RN Registered Nurse Part Time ICU Nights RN
We won't show you this job again
New 12h ago
RN Registered Nurse Part Time ICU Nights RN
Vibra Healthcare
Folsom, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$58 - $82.69/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Travel RN - ICU
We won't show you this job again
New 14h ago
Travel RN - ICU
American Traveler
Los Angeles, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
TNCC Certification
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

Travel RN - Neonatal ICU
We won't show you this job again
New 14h ago
Travel RN - Neonatal ICU
American Traveler
Los Angeles, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
NRP Certification
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

RN, Assistant Manager, ICU
We won't show you this job again
New 19h ago
RN, Assistant Manager, ICU
Community Health System
Clovis, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$74 - $97/hr
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

RN Clinical - 5 W ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Night Shift (Non-Exempt) (Union)
We won't show you this job again
New 19h ago
RN Clinical - 5 W ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Night Shift (Non-Exempt) (Union)
Keck Medicine of USC
Los Angeles, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$45.76 - $98.8/hr
Fire Safety Certification
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 285+ ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find ICU Registered Nurse Jobs

ICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
39 jobs
San Diego
21 jobs
Bakersfield
9 jobs
Murrieta
7 jobs
Long Beach
7 jobs
Simi Valley
7 jobs
La Jolla
6 jobs
Lodi
5 jobs
Orange
5 jobs

ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • American Traveler64
  • Adventist Health18
  • University of Southern California18
  • White Glove Placement11
  • Scripps Health10

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Insurance

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in ICU registered nurse jobs across California.

  • Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
  • Current BLS and ACLS certification required by most California ICU employers
  • Minimum one to two years of recent acute care or intensive care experience preferred
  • CCRN certification valued and often required for senior ICU positions in California
  • Proficiency with ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and vasoactive drip titration
  • Ability to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends in a high-acuity environment

ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a icu registered nurse in California?

You become an icu registered nurse in California by first earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining an active California RN license through the California Board of Registered Nursing. Most California ICUs require at least one year of acute care experience before hiring into the unit, so starting in a medical-surgical or step-down role is a common path into critical care.

How much do ICU registered nurses make in California?

ICU registered 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 icu registered nurses in California?

Employers hiring icu registered nurses in California right now include American Traveler, Adventist Health, and University of Southern California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's large integrated health systems and county hospital networks maintain consistent ICU staffing needs throughout the year, particularly in high-volume trauma and academic medical centers.

Which California cities have the most icu registered nurse jobs?

Los Angeles, San Diego, and Bakersfield have the most icu registered nurse openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share due to its density of Level I trauma centers and academic hospitals, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major university health systems and established regional medical centers that maintain large, specialized critical care departments.

Are there remote icu registered nurse jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of icu registered nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting that bedside critical care is an inherently hands-on role requiring in-person patient management. The portions most likely to be remote are tele-ICU monitoring and case management roles that support but don't replace bedside nursing.

How can I get hired as a icu registered nurse in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic path is applying to a new-graduate nursing residency program, which California hospital systems including Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, and UCSF Health run specifically to place new RNs into critical care tracks with structured mentorship. Starting in a medical-surgical, progressive care, or step-down unit is also a well-established lateral route into the ICU. Holding a California RN license and completing ACLS certification before applying gives candidates a clear edge.

Where can I find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in California?

You can find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospitals, health systems, and specialty care facilities. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.

See All 285+ ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find ICU Registered Nurse Jobs