Key Information for Students on Online Nursing Programs in Sacramento
See which Sacramento nursing schools stand above the rest and find the online or campus program that can help you achieve your nursing career goals.
If you live in the Sacramento area and are thinking about becoming a registered nurse or expanding your current nursing skills, now is a great time to do so. Due in part to the pandemic but also because of retirements and an aging populace, there’s a critical shortage of nurses throughout the U.S., including in and near Sacramento. This nursing shortage has resulted in a significant spike in nursing salaries and the appearance of substantial signing bonuses by employers desperate to fill a growing number of nurse vacancies.
There’s a wide selection of accredited nursing schools in or near Sacramento that can help you take advantage of the strong job market for nurses. This guide showcases the top online and in-person nursing programs in Sacramento that can help you begin or advance your nursing career. You’ll also learn about financial aid opportunities and find other helpful resources for Sacramento nursing students.
Best Nursing Schools and Programs in Sacramento
Academic success at the college level begins with selecting the right degree program, and the right program is the one that best prepares you to meet your personal and professional goals. To help get you started on your search for a Sacramento nursing program, we’ve spotlighted the best nursing schools in Sacramento. Our choices are based on a combination of factors, including affordability, curriculum comprehensiveness, study options and convenience, and access to quality student support services.
Best Overall Nursing Schools in Sacramento
Best Online Nursing Programs in Sacramento
Types of Nursing Programs Available in or Near Sacramento
There’s no shortage in the variety of degree and certificate types offered by nursing schools in Sacramento. To help you figure out which one is right for you, below are descriptions of the most common types along with links to actual program examples of each.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Sacramento
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The ADN (AS or AAS) is for students seeking a time-efficient and cost-effective route to NCLEX-RN eligibility and RN licensure. Like most associate degrees, ADN programs are almost always through community colleges and require two years of full-time study to complete.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
The traditional BSN prepares students with little or no prior nursing or college experience to become RNs. It also provides general education and nursing-related coursework to make graduates more attractive to employers. Traditional BSN programs normally require four years of full-time study, but some are two-year completion programs that require applicants to have completed general education and lower-division nursing coursework before admission.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees looking to start an RN career can save time and money through an accelerated (second degree) BSN program. Accelerated BSN programs vary in length depending on transfer coursework. Some students can complete them in as few as 12 months.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Direct-entry (sometimes called accelerated or entry-level) MSN programs provide the quickest path to nursing leadership and advanced practice jobs for students with no prior nursing experience or education. Curriculums consist of both undergraduate and master’s coursework and substantial clinical practice hours. Admission typically requires a non-nursing bachelor’s or master’s degree and completion of substantial course prerequisites. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and California RN licensure.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Sacramento for Current Nurses
LVN to RN and LVN to BSN Programs
LVN to RN programs provide a streamlined process to LVNs seeking to advance their careers by becoming RNs. These programs are offered by both community colleges and four-year universities and typically require three to four semesters to complete. Three-year program lengths are common.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
Current RNs without nursing bachelor’s degrees can earn their BSNs through an affordable and convenient RN to BSN program. These programs are often available fully or partially online and in both full-time and part-time formats. Program lengths vary, but full-time students can finish in as little as one year.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs are designed for current RNs without BSNs who are seeking to move their careers into advanced nursing practice and leadership roles. Both full-time and part-time options are common with full-time students able to complete requirements in as few as three semesters. RN to MSN program choices in Sacramento are limited, but some feature 100% online coursework. Some RN to MSN programs award both BSN and MSN degrees while others award only an MSN.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Sacramento
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
MSN programs prepare current RNs for certification in advanced practice specializations and leadership positions. The traditional MSN is for students with BSN degrees. Completion times vary by specialization and whether full-time or part-time study, but most programs are completed in two to four years.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
DNP programs are geared toward nurses interested in top administrative and practice positions. Nursing PhDs are designed for nurses seeking top jobs in research and postsecondary academics. DNP students should expect to make a one to three-year commitment. PhD completion times are longer with four years or more not uncommon.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Postgraduate certificates offer current nursing master’s and doctoral degree holders a way to expand their knowledge and skills to include a specialized area of practice without taking on another full degree program. Popular specializations include nurse educator, administration and leadership, and many nurse practitioner fields. Completion times vary by specialization.
Examples of Sacramento Nursing Schools with this Program
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Sacramento
Nursing programs in Sacramento are expensive, and most students at nursing schools in Sacramento need help paying for their degree programs. Fortunately, there are several valuable financial aid resources available, including the federal student loan. Student loans may also be available from other public and private lenders. Other popular funding sources include scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (primarily for grad students), work study opportunities, and employer tuition assistance programs. There’s also the GI Bill for active and veteran military.
Nursing students in California should also consider a student loan repayment opportunity like those offered through the Health Resources & Services Administration. Another great source for funding is the State of California itself. To learn more on how to pay for your nursing program in Sacramento, check out EduMed’s financial aid, nursing scholarship, and nursing student loan forgiveness guides.
How to Become an RN in Sacramento: Licensing Requirements
You need a current unencumbered registered nurse’s license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing to work as an RN in Sacramento. If you have an RN license from another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, you can apply for your California license through the Licensure by Endorsement process. If you’re seeking your first RN license, you’ll use the Licensure by Examination process that includes taking and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
For a detailed look at the steps required for obtaining your California RN license by examination, visit EduMed’s guide to nursing programs in California.
Job Market and Earnings for RNs in Sacramento
As you consider whether you want to become a registered nurse now, you are likely wondering if you will get a good return on your educational investment. This is a natural concern, as tuition costs can add up quickly, regardless of the school you attend. The data we compiled below illustrate that you can indeed make a good living as a registered nurse. In fact, registered nurses earn an average salary of $157,810 in the Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade area. The lowest earners make $101,670, while the highest earn $207,920. If you're thinking about working in another area of California, consider the state earnings data. Although you can still make a good living wherever you work in California, the salaries for the state are lower. Registered nurses, on average, make $133,990 in the state. The lowest percentile of nurses earn $83,510, while the highest earn $194,240.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83,510 | $133,990 | $194,240 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $101,670 | $157,810 | $207,920 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Sacramento Nursing Resources
American Association of Critical Care Nurses – Sacramento Chapter
American Nurses Association – California
California Association for Nurse Practitioners – Sacramento Chapter
California Nursing Students’ Association
Capital City Black Nurses Association
National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Sacramento Chapter
