Starting Salary for a Registered Nurse in California
As you start your career as a registered nurse (RN) in California, you should expect an annual income starting around $42,000, according to salaries surveyed by Indeed.com in July 2010. This compensation is similar to what your counterparts in other states receive, estimates the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which states that the lowest 10 percent of RN salaries across all states average $43,970.
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Mid-Career Earnings
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As your career continues, your income may increase faster than in other states, a difference mostly driven by the higher cost of living in California. Payscale.com shows mid-career earnings between $60,320 and $85,280 in California, a financial advantage of at least $15,000 above the annual median income of registered nurses in other states.
Bay Area Salaries
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If you have the flexibility to choose the city where you would like to work, hospitals in San Francisco and San Jose offer $48,000 for entry-level jobs, according to Indeed. Los Angeles follows with $41,000. Sacramento and San Diego rank lower, around $37,000.
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National License Exam
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The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is a prerequisite for working in California. This test is offered year-round, but you should apply at least four months prior to your exam to allow for processing time. The NCLEX-RN evaluates your knowledge, skills and aptitude to keep patients safe. You will need to pay registration fees of $75 and submit photos.
Registration with the BRN
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California regulates the practice of registered nurses and you must be licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) to be legally allowed to work. This board champions the quality of nursing care in the state and licenses graduates only from schools that meet the state's statutory and regulatory requirements. You must send your school transcripts, a card with your fingerprints and a passport photo.
Outlook
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You will be joining 357,822 active registered nurses in California. The Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees an increase of 22 percent for your profession in the United States between 2008 and 2018. This growth stems from the migration of diagnostics tests and treatments from hospitals to local medical centers, which hire nurses to manage this expansion. These centers play a more active role because they can now afford to acquire many types of equipment that have dropped in price.
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References
- Indeed.com: Entry Level Nurses Salaries for California
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009
- Payscale.com: Hourly Rate Snapshot for Registered Nurse (RN) Job
- National Council Licensure Examination
- California Board of Registered Nursing: Licensure by Examination
Resources
- Photo Credit nurse on her cell image by Tracy Martinez from Fotolia.com
