Starting Salary for RNs in California

Nurses are in demand throughout the United States, and California is no exception. Nursing provides the opportunity for compassionate individuals to help others while earning a competitive income. California is an especially rewarding state for nurses, with salaries exceeding every other state in the nation.
The starting salary for RNs in California isn't the only motivation. Registered Nurses enjoy a positive future job outlook, many opportunities for advancement and versatility in employment.

Features

RNs are caregivers, teachers, record keepers and supporters. RNs provide treatment to patients, including medications, IVs and therapy. They teach patients and their families how to care for themselves following or during illness. They keep accurate records regarding all aspects of the patient's treatment. RNs log the doctors' orders, the patients' progress and medications. Often, RNs provide a sympathetic ear for a patient and their family members.

Considerations

Nurses directly affect the safety of the public and are strictly regulated by the state. In California, the Bureau of Registered Nursing overseas education and licensing. An aspiring RN must complete an approved Associate or Bachelor Program (see BRN link below for approved schools). The path to an RN license depends on the generality or specialty desired by the student. An associate's degree can take up to three years to complete while a bachelor's degree is normally completed in 4 years. Bachelor's degrees often offer more opportunity for advancement, and are required by many employers.
After receiving a degree, a potential RN will need to pass the NCLEX examination. Successful completion of the exam followed by submission of transcripts, fingerprints and a photograph complete the licensing procedure.

Benefits

Nurses are extremely needed in every state, including California, and the job outlook is "excellent" according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (see Resources below). Schooling is affordable and often supplemented by area hospitals with significant financial aid available.
The good news is California is at the top of the pay scale for nurses in the United States, with a medium annual salary of more than $78,000 in 2007. However, California also employs the most with more than 200,000 nurses competing for jobs. A perusal of the popular job search engine Career Builder reveals starting salaries in the $50,000 range in major metropolitan areas. Starting pay will greatly depend on location (rural or urban) and employer.

Potential

Nursing is an extremely versatile field, offering many opportunities for career advancement. Specialization, often requiring a master's degree, is one way to advance. Nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, anesthetists and midwives are all specialties originating from the nursing field. Other concentrations, like obstetrics and oncology, offer nurses the chance to work in a specific area. Salaries in specialized nursing fields vary greatly, but in general are above the median RN salary.

Types

Though the majority of nurses are employed by hospitals, clinics and health care facilities, there are jobs for RNs in other settings as well. Governmental offices and schools employ nurses. Employment firms use nurses to hire other nurses. Companies use nurses to teach dietary and wellness information. Even the film industry employs nurses. Again, depending on the industry, salaries will fluctuate, but will stay around the median salary mentioned above.

Resources

• California Board of Registered Nursing
• Bureau of Labor Statistics