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.
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Facility Kindred Hospital Westminster
Req ID 555881 Post Date 06/18/2026
Description
Kindred Hospital Westminster is a 109-bed long-term acute care hospital offering the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. We partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness. For those who need special care, we offer a 16-bed ICU and four negative pressure rooms. Located just outside of downtown Westminster, we are surrounded by restaurants and shops within a short drive.
Job Summary
Provides planning and delivery of direct and indirect patient care through the nursing process of Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation. Develops nursing care plans in coordination with patient, family and interdisciplinary staff as necessary. Communicates changes in patient’s clinical condition with Physicians, Nursing Supervisor/Manager, and co-workers as appropriate. Participates in discharge planning process.
Essential Functions
- Maintains the standard of nursing care and implements policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing department.
- Directs, supervises, provides and evaluates nursing care provided to patients.
- Assigns or delegates tasks based on the needs and condition of the patient, potential for harm, complexity of the task, and within scope of practice of the staff to whom the task is delegated.
- Assigns nursing care team members in accordance with patient needs, team member’s capabilities and qualifications.
- Documents patient admission assessment and reassessments, patient care plans and other pertinent information, completely in the patient’s medical record according to nursing standards and policies.
- Performs assessment on all patients on admission and reassessments as per policy. Makes referrals to other disciplines based on assessment.
- Develops nursing care plan of assigned patient on admission, updates plan of care as needed and ensures plan of care is coordinated with patient, family, and other members of the team.
- Assesses and reassesses pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
- Revises the plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluates overall plan daily for effectiveness.
- Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.
- Receives physician’s orders, ensures transcription is accurate and documents completion.
- Administers medication utilizing the five rights of medication administration reducing the potential for medication errors.
- Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate.
- Assists physicians with examinations, treatments and special procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills within scope of practice.
- Performs treatments and provides services to level of licensure.
- Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
- Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
- Interprets data about the patient’s status to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
- Initiates or assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients’ condition.
- Answers telephone, paging system, patients’ call lights, anticipates patients’ needs, and makes rounds of assigned patients and responds as appropriate.
- Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
- Provides end of shift report to oncoming nurse, narcotics are counted, documentation is complete, and physician orders signed off.
- Communicates appropriately and clearly to management, co-workers, and physicians.
- Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.
- Participates in orientation, instruction/training of new personnel.
- Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
- Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
- Basic computer knowledge.
- Able to organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities and function under stressful situations.
- Ability to maintain a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
- Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
- Must read, write and speak fluent English.
- Must have good and regular attendance.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Pay range: $49.83 - $61.96/Hr
ScionHealth has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness.
Qualifications
Education
- Postsecondary certificate, diploma, or program graduation from an accredited school of nursing. (Required)
- Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. (Preferred)
Licenses/Certifications
- Registered Nurse (RN) – State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the state of practice. (Required upon hire)
- Basic Life Support (BCLS). (Required upon hire)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). (Preferred upon hire)
Experience
- Six (6) months of Medical/Surgical nursing experience in an acute care setting. (Preferred)
- Experience demonstrating critical thinking, decision-making, and effective prioritization in a fast-paced clinical environment. (Preferred)
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 JobsICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Kindred Hospitals8

- Stanford Health Care3

- CommonSpirit Health2

- Community Health System2

- 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