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 roles22+
Top employerKindred Hospitals
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Cities hiring16
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 22+ ICU Registered Nurse jobs

Kindred Hospitals
Registered Nurse ICU
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Kindred Hospitals
Added 3d ago
Registered Nurse ICU
Kindred Hospitals
Westminster, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$49 - $61/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Kindred Hospitals
Rn Icu
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Kindred Hospitals
Added 4d ago
Rn Icu
Kindred Hospitals
Perris, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$49 - $63/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Kindred Hospitals
Registered Nurse ICU
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Kindred Hospitals
Added 6d ago
Registered Nurse ICU
Kindred Hospitals
West Covina, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$49 - $61/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Stanford Health Care
Clinical Nurse (RN), ICU Float Pool
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Stanford Health Care
Added 6d ago
Clinical Nurse (RN), ICU Float Pool
Stanford Health Care
Palo Alto, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$96 - $111/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Stanford Health Care
Clinical Nurse (RN), ICU Float Pool
We won't show you this job again
Stanford Health Care
Added 6d ago
Clinical Nurse (RN), ICU Float Pool
Stanford Health Care
Palo Alto, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$96 - $111/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 22 ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in California

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ICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Palo Alto
3 jobs
Baldwin Park
2 jobs
Fresno
2 jobs
Perris
2 jobs
Westminster
2 jobs
Brawley
1 jobs
Fairfield
1 jobs
Gardena
1 jobs
La Jolla
1 jobs

ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Kindred Hospitals
    Kindred Hospitals8
  • Stanford Health Care
    Stanford Health Care3
  • CommonSpirit Health
    CommonSpirit Health2
  • Community Health System
    Community Health System2
  • Net Health
    Net Health1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services18
  • Education1
  • Insurance1
  • Technology & Software1

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 Kindred Hospitals, Stanford Health Care, and CommonSpirit Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?

Palo Alto, Baldwin Park, and Fresno 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 June 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 22 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