Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in California
Psychiatric nurse jobs in California are among the most actively recruited in the country, with sustained demand across public mental health systems, integrated hospital behavioral health units, community mental health centers, and correctional healthcare. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, where major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health maintain ongoing needs at every level from new-graduate RNs entering psychiatric settings through senior nurse practitioners and clinical leads. The most sought-after specialties are inpatient acute psychiatric care, forensic nursing, and child and adolescent behavioral health. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Psychiatric Nurse JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 114+ Psychiatric Nurse jobs
Schedule: Monday through Friday, from 9am to 530pm.
Compensation We Offer
- The initial compensation for this position ranges from $32.30 to $39.72 per hour; depending on experience, location, and internal equity considerations.
- 8% License Differential for LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD. and select Peer Certifications.*
- 7.5% Bilingual Differential for qualified positions*
Benefits We Offer
- Benefits Eligibility starts on day ONE
- We provide a robust benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, See our Benefits Page HERE.
- 401K Employer Match up to 4%
- Competitive Time Off Plans
Must meet eligibility requirements based on employment status
- Provides direct care and support to patients in psychiatric and mental health settings.
- Assesses patient behavior, vital signs, and response to treatment.
- Administers medications and treatments as prescribed, following established protocols.
- Implements components of individualized treatment plans under supervision.
- Assists patients with daily living activities such as hygiene, meals, and mobility.
- Monitors and documents patient progress, behavior, and clinical changes.
- Responds to crises and de-escalates challenging situations using approved interventions.
- Collaborates with physicians, registered nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to support patient care.
- Provides emotional support and therapeutic interaction to promote recovery and well-being.
- Maintains accurate clinical records and adheres to all safety and compliance standards.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
- High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience (two years of relevant experience equals one year of education) to include:
- Possess and maintain a valid, active license from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians as a Vocational Nurse or Psychiatric Technician.
- Obtaining LPS privileges is and at times required, depending on the program needs.
- Maintain current CPR Certification.
- Understanding of psychiatric illness and it's treatment, and knowledge of psychotropic medication.
- Previous experience with population to be served and/or work in a similar program setting.
- Bilingual skills in the appropriate language for the Clinics' clients are highly desirable, may be required in some programs.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, from 9am to 530pm.
Compensation We Offer
- The initial compensation for this position ranges from $32.30 to $39.72 per hour; depending on experience, location, and internal equity considerations.
- 8% License Differential for LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD. and select Peer Certifications.*
- 7.5% Bilingual Differential for qualified positions*
Benefits We Offer
- Benefits Eligibility starts on day ONE
- We provide a robust benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, See our Benefits Page HERE.
- 401K Employer Match up to 4%
- Competitive Time Off Plans
Must meet eligibility requirements based on employment status
- Provides direct care and support to patients in psychiatric and mental health settings.
- Assesses patient behavior, vital signs, and response to treatment.
- Administers medications and treatments as prescribed, following established protocols.
- Implements components of individualized treatment plans under supervision.
- Assists patients with daily living activities such as hygiene, meals, and mobility.
- Monitors and documents patient progress, behavior, and clinical changes.
- Responds to crises and de-escalates challenging situations using approved interventions.
- Collaborates with physicians, registered nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to support patient care.
- Provides emotional support and therapeutic interaction to promote recovery and well-being.
- Maintains accurate clinical records and adheres to all safety and compliance standards.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
- High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience (two years of relevant experience equals one year of education) to include:
- Possess and maintain a valid, active license from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians as a Vocational Nurse or Psychiatric Technician.
- Obtaining LPS privileges is and at times required, depending on the program needs.
- Maintain current CPR Certification.
- Understanding of psychiatric illness and it's treatment, and knowledge of psychotropic medication.
- Previous experience with population to be served and/or work in a similar program setting.
- Bilingual skills in the appropriate language for the Clinics' clients are highly desirable, may be required in some programs.
See All 114+ Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatric Nurse JobsPsychiatric Nurse Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Psychiatric Nurse Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health12
- Pacific Clinics6
- CHE Behavioral Health Services6
- Mindful Health Solutions5
- Mood Health4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Education
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in psychiatric nurse jobs across California.
- Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Current BLS certification and preferably ACLS from an accredited provider
- Experience with psychiatric assessment, de-escalation, and crisis intervention techniques
- Familiarity with California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and involuntary hold procedures
- Proficiency with electronic health record platforms such as Epic or Cerner
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary behavioral health teams
Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a psychiatric nurse in California?
You become a psychiatric nurse in California by first earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, then passing the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing. Once licensed, you apply to positions in psychiatric or behavioral health settings. Many nurses add the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center to strengthen their candidacy for specialized roles across the state.
How much do psychiatric nurses make in California?
Psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurses in California?
Employers hiring psychiatric nurses in California right now include LifeStance Health, Pacific Clinics, and CHE Behavioral Health Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and state-operated psychiatric hospitals together account for a significant share of consistent openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most psychiatric nurse jobs?
Los Angeles, Sacramento, and California have the most psychiatric nurse openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco drive volume through their large public mental health systems and major hospital networks, while San Diego's combination of VA facilities, county behavioral health contracts, and private health systems generates steady demand for psychiatric nurses across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Are there remote psychiatric nurse jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 52% of psychiatric nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most inpatient and crisis work. The roles most likely to allow remote or telehealth arrangements are outpatient medication management, telepsychiatry support nursing, and care coordination positions rather than direct acute care.
How can I get hired as a psychiatric nurse in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate nurse residency programs specifically designed for behavioral health rotations, such as those offered by Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California and county health systems in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Starting in a medical-surgical or emergency department role at a California hospital, then transferring internally to a psychiatric unit, is also a well-worn path. Holding an active California BRN license and completing a psychiatric nursing externship or clinical practicum during your program meaningfully improves your candidacy.
Where can I find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in California?
You can find and apply to psychiatric nurse jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospitals, community mental health centers, county behavioral health departments, and other employers. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the ones that interest you.
See All 114+ Psychiatric Nurse Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Psychiatric Nurse Jobs