Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
School Level Program Admissions
Ohio University Master MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Website
Seton Hall University Master MSN: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Website
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing Website
George Mason University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website

View more online featured programs:

One of the best ways to advance your career in nursing in the state of California as a BSN or RN is to get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

One of the most popular ways among nurses who get their MSN in California is to enter an accelerated BSN to MSN program. These programs allow students to earn a BSN in 15 months or less, then (or in some cases at the same time) begin their MSN degree right away. These programs allow students to get their degrees faster, while still getting the same coursework and hands-on experience as a full time program.

Consider a BSN to MSN program if you want to accelerate your path to more career opportunities in the healthcare field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024. Nurses are in high demand and now, more than ever, is a good time to enter the field and get an advanced degree.

School Level Program Admissions
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nursing Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Website
University of West Florida Master Nursing, M.S.N. - Nurse Executive Website
University of West Florida Master Nursing, M.S.N. - Nursing Education Website

View more online featured programs:

Nursing Trends and Career Statistics

While the nation as a whole is in demand of nurses, the state of California is in demand of nurses to a point where it is almost considered a crisis. According to the Center for California Health Workforce Studies at UCSF, by 2030 most of Northern and Central California will not have the nurses to fill 30 percent of RN positions, Los Angeles will need enough RNs to fill 20,000 full-time-equivalent vacancies, and the state’s Northernmost counties will lack 40 percent of the registered nurses they need. Source

One of the reasons for this shortage is that the number of newly licensed nurses can – t keep up with the amount of nurses in California that are retiring. According to the American Nursing Association, nearly 700,000 nurses are projected to retire or leave the labor force by 2024 in the United States. The population of retiring nurses that is expected in California is specifically high compared to the rest of the U.S.

The opportunity to secure a job in California right out of a graduate degree program is incredibly promising. In May 2016, California had the second highest employment level of Registered Nurses in the country just behind New York. In fact, salaries reflect this demand in that California was the top paying state for Registered Nurse salaries at a median of $124,330, with the top paying area of California being San Francisco. Source.

As a result of the shortage of nurses in California, many nurses are seeing that by returning to school to get their advanced nursing degrees, such as BSNs and MSNs, they are able to expand their job horizons and get higher paying jobs in more specialized roles. As more nurses graduate with advanced degrees, the imbalance in California is hopeful to shift.

Popular BSN to MSN Programs in California

University of San Francisco

Ranked No. 6 on U.S. News – 2016 list of top graduate schools for clinical nurse leader programs, The University of San Francisco Nursing School’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is designed for RNs to gain an advanced degree by developing experience in patient care plans and best practices within the healthcare field. The program is focused mainly on preparing students on becoming Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL) and generally takes two years to complete.

RNs with a BSN will need 35 credits to graduate and RNs with an ADN are required to have 46 credits to graduate. In order to be accepted into the program, students must complete an online application, have an undergraduate nursing degree (ADN or BSN) from an accredited institution, present unofficial transcripts from all colleges and institutions attended, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a personal statement, a professional resume, have an active RN License, and two letters of recommendation.

California State University Long Beach

The Master of Science degree (MSN) at California State University Long Beach School of Nursing is for students seeking an advanced degree to become Nurse Practitioners or Nursing and Healthcare Systems Executive Managers. Upon graduation, students will be ready to assume high-level roles hospitals, healthcare systems, and other complex settings. Students may also achieve certificates in specializations including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.

California State University at Los Angeles

The California State University at Los Angeles School of Nursing is an accredited school with more than 400 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. The Masters of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in nursing and other healthcare roles.

Advanced practice specializations within the MSN program include Nursing Education and four Nurse Practitioner options: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). In order to be considered as an applicant, you must submit an official transcript, be a licensed Registered Nurse, and have an RN License. In addition, you must have three professional recommendations and complete an official application.

Careers for MSN Graduates in California

Nurses have one of the most in-demand jobs in California, let alone the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs made a median annual wage of $68,450 in May 2016, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $102,990. * Nurses that hold an MSN degree in particular have a variety of options when it comes to career choices.

Nurse Educator: In the simplest terms, a nurse educator is responsible for preparing and mentoring aspiring nurses about patient care. Their job is to teach class using lectures or clinical/lab work and develop curriculum for their students. They guide and mentor students through various degree programs. The job of a nurse educator is incredibly important as these individuals shape the nursing workforce and prepare them for the ever-changing healthcare field.

Nurse educators may teach at different levels, however at the college and university level they typically hold master degrees, such as an MSN, and doctoral degrees. According to the latest survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California ranked number one in highest paying salary for nursing educators at an annual mean wage of $105,030. Source.

Nurse Administrator: Also called healthcare executives and health services managers, nurse administrators plan, direct, and coordinate health and medical services. A nurse administrator’s role various depending on location, department, and specialization, however, no matter the circumstance, they interact with many different parties such as lab techs, registered nurses, and physicians and surgeons.

They may even interact with patients or insurance agents. While their roles vary, some may include training and supervising staff, develop and monitor budgets, prepare department goals and objectives, and improve efficiency and quality of healthcare services. According to the latest survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $96,540 in May 2016, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $172,240. *
Source.

Certified Midwife: A midwife is a trained nurse that helps women during labor, delivery, and after the birth of their babies either at home or in the hospital. In addition to childbirth, Certified Midwives may provide prenatal and postnatal care, education on family planning, and GYN exams. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary for a nurse midwife in California is more than $132,950. Source.

Everybody will need to take the first step to try and attain that career goal which is completing your BSN to MSN program. From there, you will be able to start looking at all career options available in California.

List of Programs

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa,
  • Entry Level MSNCCNE
  • MSN Adult Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NPCCNE
California Baptist University
Riverside
  • Entry Level MSNCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Healthcare Systems ManagementCCNE
  • MSN Teaching-LearningCCNE
California State University - Chico
Chico
  • Online MSN Adult Health NursingCCNE
  • Online MSN Nurse EducatorCCNE
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson
  • Master of Science in Nursing Nurse AdministratorCCNE
  • Master of Science in Nursing Nurse EducatorCCNE
  • Master's Entry Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist GerontologyCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist Parent ChildCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Family Nurse AdministratorCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Nurse EducatorCCNE
California State University - Fresno
Fresno
  • Master's Entry Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse EducatorCCNE
  • Master's Entry Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Master's Entry Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Online Master's Entry School Nurse Services CredentialCCNE
  • Online Post Master's Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionersCCNE
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton
  • Direct Entry MSNCCNE
  • MSN Nurse AnesthesiaCCNE
  • MSN Nurse EducatorCCNE
  • MSN Nursing LeadershipCCNE
  • MSN School NursingCCNE
  • MSN Women's Health CareCCNE
  • Online MSN Nursing LeadershipCCNE
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach
  • MSN Adult-Geriatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Post Master's Health Services School NurseCCNE
  • Post Master's Nurse Practitioner CertificateCCNE
California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles
  • MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Family Psychiatric/Mental HealthCCNE
  • MSN Nursing AdministrationCCNE
  • MSN Nursing EducationCCNE
  • MSN School HealthCCNE
California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento
  • MSN Advanced Clinical/Educator RoleCCNE
  • MSN School NurseCCNE
  • Post-Masters School Nurse CredentialCCNE
California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino
  • Online MSN Academic EducationCCNE
  • Online MSN Advanced Public HealthCCNE
  • Online MSN Public Community HealthCCNE
  • Online MSN School NursingCCNE
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos
  • MSN Nurse EducatorCCNE
California State University - Stanislaus
Turlock
  • MSN Gerontological NursingCCNE
  • MSN Nursing EducationCCNE
Concordia University Irvine
Irvine
  • Online MSN Nurse EducatorsCCNE
Dominican University of California
San Rafael
  • MSN Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • RN to MSNCCNE
Holy Names University
Oakland
  • MSN Administrator / ManagerCCNE
  • Online MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Post Master's Administration/Management CertificateCCNE
  • Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner CertificateCCNE
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda
  • Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistCCNE
  • MSN Adult Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Nurse EducatorCCNE
  • MSN Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Psychiatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Online MSN Nursing AdministrationCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Adult Nurse ParctitionerCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Post Master's Certificate Psychiatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
Mount St. Mary's College
Los Angeles
  • ADN to MSNCCNE
  • ADN to MSNCCNE
  • Master of Science in NursingCCNE
National University
San Diego
  • Master of Science in Nurse AnesthesiaCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Nursing AdministrationCCNE
  • MSN Nursing InformaticsCCNE
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego
  • Master of Science in NursingCCNE
  • Master of Science in NursingCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland
  • Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistCCNE
  • ELMSN Case ManagementCCNE
  • ELMSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Case ManagementCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
San Diego State University
San Diego
  • MSN Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults & the ElderlyCCNE
  • MSN Community Health NursingCCNE
  • MSN Nursing Leadership in Healthcare SystemsCCNE
  • MSN Women's Health and MidwiferyCCNE
San Francisco State University
San Francisco
  • MSN AdministrationCCNE
  • MSN AdministrationCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Public Community HealthCCNE
  • MSN Public Community HealthCCNE
  • RN-MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
San Jose State University
San Jose
  • Masters in NursingCCNE
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park
  • Online MSN Family Nurse PractitionerACEN
University of California - Irvine
Irvine
  • MSN Adult Gerontological Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles
  • MSN - Masters Entry Clinical NurseCCNE
  • MSN Adult/Gerontology Primary CareCCNE
  • MSN Adult/Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner Occupational and Environmental HealthCCNE
  • MSN Adult/Gerontology- Acute Care Specialty and OncologyCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Nursing AdministrationCCNE
  • MSN Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental HealthCCNE
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco
  • ADN-to-Masters PathwayCCNE
  • Master's Entry Program in NursingCCNE
  • MS Acute Care Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MS Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse PractitionersCCNE
  • MS Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MS Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - Critical Care/TraumaCCNE
  • MS Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - OncologyCCNE
  • MS Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MS Advanced Public Health NursingCCNE
  • MS Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MS Health Policy NursingCCNE
  • MS Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MS Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCCNE
  • MS Pediatric Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MS Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse PractitionerCCNE
University of San Diego
San Diego
  • Master's Entry Program in NursingCCNE
  • MSN Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse SpecialistCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • MSN Executive Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN Health Care InformaticsCCNE
  • MSN Nursing EducationCCNE
University of San Francisco
San Francisco
  • MSN Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • MSN Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • Online Master of Science in NursingCCNE
  • RN Transition ProgramCCNE
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa
  • Master of Science in Nursing DegreeCCNE
West Coast University
Irvine
  • MSN Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • MSN GeneralistCCNE
  • MSN Nurse EducatorCCNE
  • MSN Strategic Innovation ManagementCCNE
Western University Of Health and Sciences
Pomona
  • Online MSN Ambulatory CareCCNE
  • Online MSN Ambulatory CareCCNE
  • Online MSN Family Nurse PractitionerCCNE
  • Online MSN Health Systems Leadership Administrative Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • Online MSN Health Systems Leadership Administrative Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • Online MSN Health Systems Leadership Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • Online MSN Health Systems Leadership Clinical Nurse LeaderCCNE
  • Online MSN-EntryCCNE

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.