Patient Care RN Jobs in California
Patient Care RN jobs in California represent one of the most active nursing markets in the country, with steady demand across academic medical centers, large health systems, and outpatient networks at every level from new graduate to senior staff nurse. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the heaviest concentration of openings, anchored by employers like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The most sought-after specialties in California right now are medical-surgical, telemetry, and intensive care. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Patient Care RN JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Patient Care RN jobs
Located less than 10 miles from the US-Mexico border, the Chula Vista campus of Scripps Mercy serves the cities of Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, National City, Imperial Beach, Bonita and beyond.
Scripps Mercy Hospital consists of two campuses in San Diego and Chula Vista.
Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista provides a variety of medical and surgical services, including inpatient and outpatient care. Within the hospital you’ll find our 24-hour emergency room and many other specialty services ranging from cancer care to stroke care.
This is a Salaried (40 hrs/week) Night shift position located at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista.
Eligible to participate in the Supervisor Incentive Plan
Elevate your career with Scripps Health, where Compassion Meets Excellence.
Invest, Empower & Belong. At Scripps Health, your potential is limitless. We're more than a healthcare provider, at Scripps you will join a community where your views, beliefs and values are celebrated. Grow through industry-leading development programs and empower yourself to deliver innovative care. Be a part of an extraordinary team, impacting health in beautiful San Diego.
AWARD-WINNING WORKPLACE:
At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered, and your abilities are appreciated:
- Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
- Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2025.
- Scripps has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
- Scripps named on Becker’s 165 top places to work in healthcare in 2026.
- We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
- Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.
About the Stepdown Unit
Our Stepdown Unit at Scripps Mercy Chula Vista is a 35-bed facility focused on high-acuity patients, including those recovering from strokes, cardiac issues, and patients on critical drip protocols and peritoneal dialysis treatments and administration. This unit specializes in continuous cardiac monitoring for conditions such as myocardial infarction, chest pain, unstable angina, hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure. Located in the vibrant South Bay, our team is known for its collaborative and supportive environment, where patient care and professional growth are top priorities. We take pride in serving a diverse and complex patient population, while fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and continuous learning in the heart of this dynamic community.
About the role
Provides clinical leadership and operational oversight for the Stepdown Unit, fostering a culture of safety, clinical excellence, teamwork, and exceptional patient care. Under the general direction of the Patient Care Manager, partners with nursing leadership and the interdisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to a complex, high-acuity patient population requiring close monitoring and timely clinical intervention.
Leads day-to-day unit operations, including staffing, patient assignments, resource allocation, and coordination of patient care to ensure the right resources are aligned with patient needs. Serves as a visible and accessible clinical leader and resource for nursing staff, supporting sound clinical judgment, timely escalation of concerns, and consistent adherence to evidence-based standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational practices.
Drives efficient patient flow through bed placement, patient transfers, transport, room readiness, and discharge. Collaborates across departments to proactively identify barriers, resolve operational challenges, and facilitate timely movement of patients while maintaining safety and continuity of care.
Champions seamless transitions across the continuum by engaging nurses and interdisciplinary partners in individualized care planning, discharge readiness, and coordination of next-level care. Ensures clear, comprehensive handoffs and effective communication of patient status, clinical priorities, and ongoing care needs to support safe transitions and optimal outcomes.
Promotes a high-performing team environment by modeling Scripps values, strengthening communication and collaboration, recognizing opportunities for improvement, and empowering staff to deliver safe, compassionate, patient-centered care.
Required Education/Experience/Specialized Skills:
- Minimum of two years of progressive clinical nursing experience, including at least one year in a charge, preceptor, relief leadership, or other formal or informal nursing leadership role. Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership in a high-acuity environment and effectively prioritize the care of multiple patients with complex and changing needs.
- Strong clinical judgment, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, and team-building skills.
- Ability to anticipate and respond to changes in patient condition, facilitate timely escalation of care, and collaborate effectively with physicians and the interdisciplinary care team. Demonstrated ability to coordinate staffing, patient assignments, patient flow, and unit operations while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Required Certification/Registration:
- Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Current American Heart Association BLS and ACLS for Healthcare Provider certification.
- Maintains all clinical competencies and certifications required for the Stepdown/Charge RN role, including unit-specific competencies applicable to the care of high-acuity and monitored patients.
Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Previous Stepdown or Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing experience.
- Experience in charge nursing, precepting, mentoring, quality improvement, or other clinical leadership activities is highly desirable.
At Scripps Health, you will experience the pride, support and respect of an organization that has been repeatedly recognized as one of the nation’s Top 100 Places to Work.
You’ll be surrounded by people committed to making a difference in the lives of their patients and their teammates. So if you’re open to change, go ahead and unlock your potential.
Located less than 10 miles from the US-Mexico border, the Chula Vista campus of Scripps Mercy serves the cities of Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, National City, Imperial Beach, Bonita and beyond.
Scripps Mercy Hospital consists of two campuses in San Diego and Chula Vista.
Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista provides a variety of medical and surgical services, including inpatient and outpatient care. Within the hospital you’ll find our 24-hour emergency room and many other specialty services ranging from cancer care to stroke care.
This is a Salaried (40 hrs/week) Night shift position located at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista.
Eligible to participate in the Supervisor Incentive Plan
Elevate your career with Scripps Health, where Compassion Meets Excellence.
Invest, Empower & Belong. At Scripps Health, your potential is limitless. We're more than a healthcare provider, at Scripps you will join a community where your views, beliefs and values are celebrated. Grow through industry-leading development programs and empower yourself to deliver innovative care. Be a part of an extraordinary team, impacting health in beautiful San Diego.
AWARD-WINNING WORKPLACE:
At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered, and your abilities are appreciated:
- Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
- Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2025.
- Scripps has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
- Scripps named on Becker’s 165 top places to work in healthcare in 2026.
- We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
- Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.
About the Stepdown Unit
Our Stepdown Unit at Scripps Mercy Chula Vista is a 35-bed facility focused on high-acuity patients, including those recovering from strokes, cardiac issues, and patients on critical drip protocols and peritoneal dialysis treatments and administration. This unit specializes in continuous cardiac monitoring for conditions such as myocardial infarction, chest pain, unstable angina, hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure. Located in the vibrant South Bay, our team is known for its collaborative and supportive environment, where patient care and professional growth are top priorities. We take pride in serving a diverse and complex patient population, while fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and continuous learning in the heart of this dynamic community.
About the role
Provides clinical leadership and operational oversight for the Stepdown Unit, fostering a culture of safety, clinical excellence, teamwork, and exceptional patient care. Under the general direction of the Patient Care Manager, partners with nursing leadership and the interdisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to a complex, high-acuity patient population requiring close monitoring and timely clinical intervention.
Leads day-to-day unit operations, including staffing, patient assignments, resource allocation, and coordination of patient care to ensure the right resources are aligned with patient needs. Serves as a visible and accessible clinical leader and resource for nursing staff, supporting sound clinical judgment, timely escalation of concerns, and consistent adherence to evidence-based standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational practices.
Drives efficient patient flow through bed placement, patient transfers, transport, room readiness, and discharge. Collaborates across departments to proactively identify barriers, resolve operational challenges, and facilitate timely movement of patients while maintaining safety and continuity of care.
Champions seamless transitions across the continuum by engaging nurses and interdisciplinary partners in individualized care planning, discharge readiness, and coordination of next-level care. Ensures clear, comprehensive handoffs and effective communication of patient status, clinical priorities, and ongoing care needs to support safe transitions and optimal outcomes.
Promotes a high-performing team environment by modeling Scripps values, strengthening communication and collaboration, recognizing opportunities for improvement, and empowering staff to deliver safe, compassionate, patient-centered care.
Required Education/Experience/Specialized Skills:
- Minimum of two years of progressive clinical nursing experience, including at least one year in a charge, preceptor, relief leadership, or other formal or informal nursing leadership role. Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership in a high-acuity environment and effectively prioritize the care of multiple patients with complex and changing needs.
- Strong clinical judgment, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, and team-building skills.
- Ability to anticipate and respond to changes in patient condition, facilitate timely escalation of care, and collaborate effectively with physicians and the interdisciplinary care team. Demonstrated ability to coordinate staffing, patient assignments, patient flow, and unit operations while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Required Certification/Registration:
- Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Current American Heart Association BLS and ACLS for Healthcare Provider certification.
- Maintains all clinical competencies and certifications required for the Stepdown/Charge RN role, including unit-specific competencies applicable to the care of high-acuity and monitored patients.
Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Previous Stepdown or Progressive Care Unit (PCU) nursing experience.
- Experience in charge nursing, precepting, mentoring, quality improvement, or other clinical leadership activities is highly desirable.
At Scripps Health, you will experience the pride, support and respect of an organization that has been repeatedly recognized as one of the nation’s Top 100 Places to Work.
You’ll be surrounded by people committed to making a difference in the lives of their patients and their teammates. So if you’re open to change, go ahead and unlock your potential.
See All 19 Patient Care RN Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Patient Care RN JobsPatient Care RN Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Patient Care RN Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in patient care RN jobs across California.
- Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification depending on unit assignment
- Minimum one year of acute care or clinical nursing experience in a hospital setting
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Strong skills in patient assessment, care planning, and bedside clinical documentation
- Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as required
Patient Care RN Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a patient care rn in California?
You become a patient care rn in California by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN exam, and obtaining a Registered Nurse license from the California Board of Registered Nursing. California does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so every nurse working in the state must hold a California-specific license. Applications are submitted directly to the California Board of Registered Nursing.
How much do patient care RNs make in California?
Patient care RNs 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 patient care rns in California?
California patient care rn roles are posted by AccentCare, Roze Room Hospice, and CVHCare and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's size and density of health systems mean openings are consistent across large integrated networks, county hospitals, and nonprofit academic medical centers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most patient care rn jobs?
Irvine, Ventura, and Palmdale have the most patient care rn openings in California right now. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through large county health systems and major nonprofit medical centers, while the San Francisco Bay Area concentrates openings at academic medical centers and integrated health networks that draw from a broad regional workforce.
How can I get hired as a patient care rn in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new graduate RN residency programs, which large California health systems including Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UC Health run on a rolling or cohort basis throughout the year. These programs are designed for nurses with no prior hospital experience and pair structured clinical training with a paid staff role. Coming in from a CNA, medical assistant, or patient care technician background in a California hospital also strengthens your application significantly, as does holding a California BRN license before you apply.
Where can I find and apply to patient care rn jobs in California?
You can find and apply to patient care rn jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across health systems, hospitals, and outpatient settings. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 Patient Care RN Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Patient Care RN Jobs