13 Private Nursing Schools in California: Why limit yourself to public nursing schools when there are 70 Private Nursing Schools in California? Private Nursing Schools in California provide some of the best nursing programs for those interested in a nursing career.
Expand your educational options by enrolling in one of the top approved Private Nursing Schools in California that offers a choice of programs.
The nursing profession annually attracts a huge number of students. There is no denying the importance of nurses to the United States and several other nations. Their salaries reflect their significance, and California is one of the highest-paying states in the United States for nurses. The state is the best place in the United States to study and practice nursing.
Consequently, this article will discuss the career outlook and salaries for nurses in California, as well as the nursing specialties available in California and how to become a nurse in California. Then, we will list the best accredited Private Nursing Schools in California from which you can begin your nursing career. However, let’s first demonstrate why a private nursing school is desirable.
Why Choose a Private Nursing Schools in California?
Public nursing schools are well-known and have distinguished themselves over the years. That’s correct. Public nursing schools provide an inexpensive alternative to a high-quality nursing education. This is also true. But, you should be aware that these considerations apply to private nursing schools as well.
Private nursing schools are in business to generate qualified nurses; they have been successful over the years. And while they may not provide their nursing programs as affordably as public nursing schools, some private nursing schools are matching the cost of education of public nursing schools.
In addition to these factors, students today choose Private Nursing Schools in California for the following reasons:
1. Shorter Time to Completion
Private nursing schools offer one- to two-year nursing programs, whereas community colleges and public universities require two to four years. Private Nursing Schools in California offer the most rapid nursing degrees.
2. More Practicum Experience
Your first position as a nurse will depend heavily on your practical experience. This is what the programs at the private nursing school ensure in excess.
Nurses who have experienced both public and private nursing education attest that private nursing schools provide more practical opportunities than public nursing schools.
3. Relationships With Regional Hospitals
As a result of their strong relationships with a vast network of regional hospitals, some Private Nursing Schools in California make it considerably easier for graduates to get employment.
4. Online Choice
More private nursing schools than public nursing schools offer online nursing programs. The online program option is highly beneficial for part-time students or nurses who cannot afford to relocate.
How Much Does Attending Private Nursing Schools in California Cost?
In California, the amount you may need to spend on a nursing degree depends on a number of things. These may include the degree program you are enrolled in and whether you live on or off campus.
Depending on a number of criteria, you can anticipate paying anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 or more every semester for tuition costs, plus a bit extra for books, housing, and other supplies.
Your annual total due pay may reach $13,000.
What is the job outlook for nurses in California, as well as their salaries?
Nursing is a globally popular field, and its practitioners are invaluable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurses in the United States make $71,730 annually. This is true for Registered Nurses with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
In addition, there were 3,059,800 nursing positions available in the United States in 2018, and the BLS projects a 12% increase in employment from 2018 to 2028. This occupation is expanding substantially faster than the average for all occupations. Hence, Registered Nurses (RNs) will continue to be in great demand across the nation.
Meanwhile, you will be pleased to learn that RNs in California make significantly more than the national average annual pay (and the highest of any state) for RNs. Moreover, California has the highest amount of Nursing positions in the state. In 2018, there were 294,510 nurse positions in California out of a total of 3,059,800 nursing jobs in the United States.
In contrast, whereas the average annual compensation for RNs in the United States is $71,730, the average annual salary for RNs in California is $106,950.
So, let’s further dissect this. Let’s look at the California metropolitan regions that pay registered nurses the most.
List of the Private Nursing Schools in California
The following is a list of the Private Nursing Schools in California:
1. Loma Linda College
As one of the Private Nursing Schools in California,This 1905-founded university is linked with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has around 3,200 students. The Loma Linda University School of Nursing is one of the university’s most lively schools.
Loma Linda University School of Nursing is one of the Private Nursing Schools in California on account of its extensive program offerings. This California nursing school offers 24 programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated Second Degree BSN, and LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Loma Linda is a two-and-a-half-year program that prepares graduates for positions in hospitals, public health, community clinics, emergency rooms, and schools. In addition, Loma Linda boasts exceptional NCLEX pass rates for its nursing students and provides 70-75 percent of its students with financial aid.
2 Azusa Pacific College
Azusa Pacific University (APU) is an additional old university in the United States that offers more than 110 on-campus and online programs. This private university in Azusa, California, was founded in 1899 and has three colleges and seven schools, including a school of nursing.
Due to its extensive program options in the nursing industry, the school of nursing at Azusa ranks among the best Private Nursing Schools in California. You can enroll in Undergraduate, Graduate, Bachelor’s Completion, Doctoral, and Certificate Programs at Azusa Pacific University.
In addition, the BSN nursing major at APU consists of 69 to 17 units and offers RNs with a solid foundation for individual, family, and community healthcare.
In addition, being a Christian-affiliated institution, APU’s nursing program enables students to understand the connection between their Christian faith and their nursing vocation.
Lastly, while APU’s BSN program has very reasonable tuition, there are a couple of scholarships students can apply for to offset the expense of study. Scholarship recipients include the Trustee, presidents, and deans.It is however regarded as one of the Private Nursing Schools in California.
Check out the Best 19 Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Programs if you are interested in obtaining a BSN.
3 The University of Biola
In 1908, Biola University was founded as a private institution in La Miranda, California. Biola University, like the other two private nursing schools in California we’ve reviewed, is linked with Evangelical Christians but is nondenominational. This California institution provides more than 150 academic programs to approximately 6,000 students through its nine academic schools.
Being among the Private Nursing Schools in California, programs are offered by the Nursing Department of the School of Science, Technology, and Health. And this private university’s nursing department provides numerous nursing majors. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the LVN-to-BSN Bridge Program, and the LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option are Biola’s primary nursing programs.
The BSN program at Biola University is comprised of 132.5 total units and requires 4.5 years to complete. This curriculum will prepare you for a successful career as a travel nurse, nursing care manager, missionary nurse, etc.
Biola University offers scholarships, loans, and grants to its nursing students, including international students, despite the high cost of the degree.It is also among our list of the Private Nursing Schools in California.
4 California Baptist College
California Baptist University, Cal Baptist, or CBU, as you want, is a private college that began operations in 1950 in Riverside, California. This California college in Riverside is linked with the California Southern Baptist Convention and provides academic programs to approximately 11,000 students through its 11 schools and colleges.
The Faculty of Nursing at California Baptist University offers some of the finest Private Nursing Schools in California. This California nursing school offers seven degrees, including the Accelerated Second Degree BSN and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
If you are a CBU undergraduate, graduate, or RN wishing to continue your education, there is a program for you.
The CBU BSN program consists of 124 units and is the university’s most popular major. It teaches you for a profession as a Forensic Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Emergency Room Nurse, School Nurse, etc., and has an average enrollment of 800 students.
Also, despite the fact that CBU’s BSN program is very reasonable, there are a number of funding opportunities available to you, whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, online and professional studies, or overseas student.
5. University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is an additional approved private institution in California offering the top nursing degrees. The University of San Diego (USD), like the other California universities we’ve featured, is a Christian-affiliated institution.
It was founded in 1949 and had ties to the Roman Catholic Church. The USD is a popular private institution in California, with over 7,000 students enrolled in its 79 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science in San Diego offers the university’s nursing programs. While the nursing school does not offer a BSN, you can choose from 12 graduate nursing programs. Instead, it provides a Master of Science in Nursing with Direct Entry (MSN). In the meantime, USD’s graduate nursing programs are so excellent that the nursing school’s MSN programs are ranked among the best graduate schools by US News & World Report.
The Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) at USD assists students with a bachelor’s degree in another field to become registered nurses (RNs). The program is a 21-month, 5-term program that offers students with a general nursing foundation.
This program’s tuition is relatively inexpensive, but there are a few scholarships and financial assistance alternatives available to augment the expense of your study.It is also one of the Private Nursing Schools in California.
Check out: Best guide to online nursing graduate programs 2023
6. Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary’s University is an additional California private institution with some of the best nursing programs. Similar to the University of San Diego, the institution was founded in 1808 and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
In addition, more than 4,000 Mount students are enrolled in over 40 majors, minors, specializations, and special programs.
The Mount in Los Angeles has some of the finest nursing programs in California. This private nursing school in California has nine nursing programs.
Accelerated Second Degree BSN, BSN, LVN-to-RN 30-Unit Option, and MSN are the most popular. Some nursing schools may not be particularly economical, but there are numerous financial aid options available.
International nursing students will always require financial aid in order to study abroad, so review the Top 10 Nursing Scholarships for National and International Students.It is also regarded as one of the best Private Nursing Schools in California.
7. Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is another California university with exceptional nursing programs. Point Loma Nazarene University is linked with the Church of the Nazarene, as its name suggests. Yet, since its founding in 1902, this private California institution has continually provided exceptional education to its nearly 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University believes that your work is a sacred calling. Hence, faith-based teachings will be incorporated into your academic curriculum. Nonetheless, it produces a complete RN. This private nursing school in California offers six nursing programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and RN to BSN.
Although Point Loma Nazarene University’s BSN program is cheap, 90% of its nursing students accept financial aid.
8 National Institution
National University (NU) is located in La Jolla, California, and has various campuses in California, one school in Nevada, and an Online School. It is a major university, with over 24,000 students, which demonstrates its quality.
Apart from being one of the Private Nursing Schools in California, This California nursing school provides eleven nursing programs through the College of Professional Studies at Northwestern University. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Master of Science in Nursing, and the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice are among its most prominent programs (DNAP).
9. Fresno Pacific University.
Fresno Pacific University (FPSU) is an additional accredited California university offering some of the best nursing programs. This California college was founded in 1944 and has ties to the Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Yet, it provides superior Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs to Fresno students, students from the United States, and international students.
Although Fresno Pacific University lacks the range of other Private Nursing Schools in California, its two nursing programs are exemplary.
These are the Family Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing and the RN-to-BSN Degree Completion programs. The Nursing RN to BSN Degree Completion Program consists of 42 credit units and takes 18 months to complete.
10. University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California’s University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Roman Catholic research institution. In 1855, more over 10,000 students were enrolled at the university and enjoying outstanding education.
Meanwhile, USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers nursing programs. USF is one of the private nursing schools in California to choose for specialist nursing training, as it offers eleven nursing programs. There are programs available for both undergraduate and graduate students.
11 The Dominican College of California
The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael established the private Dominican University of California in San Rafael. It was founded in 1890 and provided its 1,700 students more than 45 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Through the School of Health and Natural Sciences, the Department of Nursing at Dominican University offers nursing programs. In California, this recognized private nursing school offers four nursing programs. These are the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, the LVN-RN 30-Unit Option, the MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader program, and the Master of Science in Nursing program.
12 Holy Names College
Holy Names University (HNU) in Oakland, California is a private Roman Catholic university. This California university, founded in 1868, has a long history of providing exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs, including nursing degrees.
Despite having fewer than one thousand students enrolled in its degree programs, HNU’s Faculty of Nursing provides nine nursing degrees. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, and the Rn-to-MSB Degree Completion Program are among its most popular programs.It is also among the Private Nursing Schools in California.
13. West Coast University – Los Angeles
West Coast University (WCU) is an American private institution with campuses in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Ontario, California; Dallas, Texas; and Miami, Florida. From its founding in 1909, the institution has offered undergraduate and graduate students an excellent education.
WCU’s Los Angeles Campus offers some of the most highly-accredited nursing programs in the state of California. This private nursing school in California provides five nursing programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a 30-Unit LVN-to-RN Option.
FAQs On Private Nursing Schools in California
What is the fastest way to become a nurse in California?
Those interested in becoming a nurse in California in the shortest amount of time should pursue an associate degree in nursing, as this can be completed within a two-year timeframe. Upon completion of the program, passing the NCLEX-RN and applying for a license can take an additional 10-12 weeks.
What is the easiest nursing school to get into in California?
California State University—Bakersfield has an acceptance rate of 78%, which is higher than other schools in the state.
How long is nursing school in California?
Takes 4 years. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree. Offered at many California State Universities and some private colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions.
Does California accept foreign nurses?
Graduates from foreign nursing schools can only apply for licensure if they have completed an American equivalency degree program or passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Foreign graduates must take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
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