Oakland is known for the Bay, Jack London Square, and nearby redwood forests, but that’s just skimming the surface. It has always been a progressive city, and one of the most ethnically diverse spots in the U.S. Oakland’s largest economic sector is healthcare.
The city has several nursing education choices, with five schools offering everything from ADN to Family Nurse Practitioner credentials. The nursing schools in Oakland are:
- California State East Bay — LVN to RN and LVN to BSN programs
- Merritt College — RN and 2-year ADN
- Holy Names University — Direct-Entry BSN
- Chabot College — RN degree
- Samuel Merritt University — BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, Family NP degrees
Oakland can be an excellent location for a nursing career. Here is more information about what you might expect if you’re looking for nursing jobs in Oakland.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Oakland
- Is California a compact state? No
- What do RNs earn in Oakland? Oakland is in the metro area that includes San Francisco and Hayward. The average annual salary for RNs in that area is $164,760 compared to the national average RN salary of $81,220.
- Where can I find information about RN license requirements in California? You’ll find three separate government departments that oversee nursing in California. You can check the appropriate website for more detailed information:
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
- California Department of Public Health (the agency that oversees CNA licenses)
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Oakland
Oakland is the county seat and largest city in Alameda County. It’s located in west-central California on the San Francisco Bay, right across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco.
You’ll find full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem nursing jobs in Oakland for qualified RNs, CNAs, and LVNs. Opportunities include work in Oakland hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities.
What is the patient base like in Oakland? With a population of 437,548, Oakland’s median age is 36.4. You’ll find that 13% of residents are aged 65 and older. Disabled residents under the age of 65 total 7%.
Oakland is known for its vibrant ethnic diversity. Emphasizing your cultural competency knowledge is a big plus when you’re interviewing for nursing jobs in Oakland. The population adds up like this: 22% are Black, 16% are Asian, 27% are Hispanic, and 9% are mixed race.
Working in Oakland
The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro area healthcare employs 260,840 in healthcare. That includes 41,970 RNs, 96,730 home health and personal care aides, and 10,980 nursing assistants.
The top-rated hospitals in Oakland are:
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital Oakland/Richmond
- Highland Hospital
There is also a children’s hospital in Oakland called UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - Oakland.
Along with the hospitals, there are many other places for nursing jobs in Oakland and surrounding areas. The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACHPD) supports a division of Public Health Nursing that provides a myriad of services, including:
- general case management, health education, and physical assessment
- immunizations
- information about health-related programs and preventive healthcare
- assistance with scheduling medical appointments
- information on transportation options and other support services
- assistance accessing diagnostic and treatment services
- referrals and support with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), communicable diseases, children with special needs, and children in foster care
ACPHD also manages clinics that offer the following services:
- family planning services at 13 locations
- immunization clinics at 21 locations
- prenatal care at 15 locations
- substance abuse treatment at 8 locations
- STD testing at 2 clinics
- general health services at 8 community clinics
The skilled nursing facilities in Oakland include:
- Oakland Healthcare & Wellness Center
- The Rehab Center of Oakland
- Windsor Healthcare Center of Oakland
- Oakland Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation
When it’s time to organize your life for your new nursing job, you’ll need to know a few things about living and working in Oakland.
You can expect your commute time to be consistent with the city average of 31.9 minutes. You can drive to work by yourself along with 51.4% of workers. Or you might try carpooling, as 11.6% do. The Oakland mass transit options (including BART) are popular, transporting 21.3% of people who work outside the home — and that percentage of people with home offices is 6.5%.
Oakland has a childcare referral service that can put you in touch with all kinds of services for your little ones. Alameda County Social Services Agency also can help with childcare costs.
Your other little ones may need care too. BringFido has a database of dog sitters in Oakland. Talk about a dog-friendly city — Oakland has 95 restaurants and bars that welcome dogs. Not so for your cats and other pets. They’ll have to get pampered by one of the many cat and pet care services.
Living in Oakland
If you’ve looked at a California map, you know Oakland is HUGE. It’s almost twice the size of San Francisco, with 78 square miles of space and 18 distinct neighborhoods. From an eclectic and laid-back Downtown Oakland district to the bustling of Grand Lake filled with shopping and restaurants, there is something and somewhere for everyone in Oakland.
The city is known for its wide variety of restaurants and local food. Chinatown is the place to get an Oaklander’s favorite Dim Sum. You can be tame and order it with shrimp dumplings, or get in touch with your adventurous side and order chicken feet. Did you know the chicken and waffle craze started in Oakland? You’ll find it on many restaurant menus. Animal-free food lovers have developed the Oakland Vegan Trail, with more than 20 places to stop in for a bite.
The museums and galleries in Oakland are as diverse as the population. Some standouts include the Oakland Museum of California, which features California's art, history, and science. The African American Museum and Library has permanent installations and traveling exhibits highlighting art, history, and culture. The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, which includes the Video Game Museum, will amuse the kids as well as the adults.
It's easy to get to Oakland by air, with the Oakland International Airport just 20 minutes from downtown. Choosing a taxi over the BART transit, ride-shares, and limo services will cost you about $39.
Suppose you want to get out of Oakland for a day trip. Just head east to the Redwood National Park to see the towering redwood trees and other flora and fauna. Jump onto a ferry to cross the Bay to visit San Francisco and spend a day or a week exploring.
If you do make that trip to San Francisco, you’ll notice one of the biggest differences is the weather on one side of the Bay compared to the other. While San Francisco can be foggy, cloudy and cold, Oakland is sunny with long summers, and comfy, arid, short winters. The city gets an average of 261 sunny days per year.
There is a price to pay for paradise, however. The cost of living in Oakland is 44.4% higher than the average U.S. city. On that same level, the average Oakland home price is $819,500. About 54% of Oakland residents rent rather than own, paying an average of $2,220 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Find Great Nursing Jobs in Oakland with IntelyCare
If you’re an RN, LVN, or CNA, The Bay Area is a great place to work and live. The first step to finding nursing jobs in Oakland is to fill out your IntelyCare application today.