Intro
Discover the top 10 RN positions in San Diego, offering competitive salaries and growth opportunities. Explore in-demand nursing jobs, including ER nurse, pediatric nurse, and ICU nurse roles, and learn about the required skills and certifications. Find your dream nursing career in Americas Finest City, with its high quality of life and diverse healthcare landscape.
San Diego, with its year-round mild climate and stunning beaches, is a highly sought-after destination for nurses looking to advance their careers. The city is home to numerous top-ranked hospitals and medical facilities, providing a wide range of job opportunities for registered nurses (RNs). Here are the top 10 RN positions in San Diego, based on factors such as job demand, salary, and growth prospects.
1. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) RN
ICU RNs in San Diego are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-acuity patient populations. These nurses work in fast-paced environments, providing critical care to patients with life-threatening conditions. With a median salary of $124,000 per year, ICU RNs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals in the city.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage critically ill patients
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
2. Operating Room (OR) RN
OR RNs in San Diego play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients undergoing surgical procedures. With a median salary of $118,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume surgical departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and prepare patients for surgery
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with surgical teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
3. Pediatric RN
Pediatric RNs in San Diego care for infants, children, and adolescents with various medical conditions. With a median salary of $115,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with pediatric departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage pediatric patients
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
4. Labor and Delivery (L&D) RN
L&D RNs in San Diego care for pregnant women and newborns, providing critical care during the perinatal period. With a median salary of $113,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume obstetric departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage pregnant women and newborns
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
5. Emergency Department (ED) RN
ED RNs in San Diego work in fast-paced environments, providing critical care to patients with various medical emergencies. With a median salary of $111,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume emergency departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage patients with medical emergencies
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
6. Medical-Surgical RN
Medical-surgical RNs in San Diego care for adult patients with various medical and surgical conditions. With a median salary of $109,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume medical-surgical departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage adult patients
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
7. Telemetry RN
Telemetry RNs in San Diego monitor and care for patients with cardiac conditions, using advanced technology to optimize patient outcomes. With a median salary of $108,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume cardiac departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor and manage patients with cardiac conditions
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
8. Oncology RN
Oncology RNs in San Diego care for patients with various types of cancer, providing critical care and support throughout the treatment process. With a median salary of $107,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume oncology departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage patients with cancer
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
9. Orthopedic RN
Orthopedic RNs in San Diego care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, providing critical care and support throughout the treatment process. With a median salary of $106,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume orthopedic departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage patients with musculoskeletal conditions
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
10. Rehabilitation RN
Rehabilitation RNs in San Diego care for patients with various physical and cognitive disabilities, providing critical care and support throughout the rehabilitation process. With a median salary of $105,000 per year, these nurses are in high demand, particularly in hospitals with high-volume rehabilitation departments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess and manage patients with physical and cognitive disabilities
- Develop and implement individualized care plans
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
- Provide education and support to patients and their families
In conclusion, San Diego offers a wide range of job opportunities for RNs, with various specialties and settings to choose from. Whether you're interested in critical care, pediatrics, or rehabilitation, there's a nursing position in San Diego that's right for you.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences as a nurse in San Diego. What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job? What challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them? Share your stories and advice with us in the comments section below!
What is the average salary for RNs in San Diego?
+The average salary for RNs in San Diego varies depending on the specialty and setting. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for RNs in the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Division was $113,000 in May 2020.
What are the most in-demand RN specialties in San Diego?
+According to various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and job postings, the most in-demand RN specialties in San Diego include ICU, OR, pediatric, and labor and delivery nursing.
What are the requirements for becoming an RN in San Diego?
+To become an RN in San Diego, you must earn an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and obtain a California nursing license.