Updated June 2026 · 11 min read
Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.
California has relatively few CRNA programs for its population, which makes them intensely competitive — but it also has one of the highest CRNA pay scales in the country. Here's the California landscape and how an ICU nurse in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or San Diego competes.
| Program | Degree | Length | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia / CSU Fullerton | DNP | ~36 months | Pasadena / Fullerton |
| USC Keck — Program of Nurse Anesthesia | DNAP | 36 months (hybrid) | Los Angeles |
| Loma Linda University | DNP | ~39 months | Loma Linda |
| Samuel Merritt University | DNP | ~36 months | Oakland |
| National University | DNP | ~36 months | San Diego area |
All California programs are doctoral-entry following the Council on Accreditation's January 1, 2025 phase-out of master's-level entry, and all are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Confirm current tuition and start dates directly with each program — California costs vary widely between the public-partnership and private routes.
The Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia, offered in partnership with California State University, Fullerton, has trained nurse anesthetists since 1972 and is one of the most established programs on the West Coast. The Kaiser clinical network gives students large, integrated case volume across Kaiser's Southern California facilities. For California nurses already in the Kaiser system, this program is a natural target.
USC's Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a full-time, 36-month hybrid program blending in-person instruction, high-fidelity simulation, and remote didactic learning, with clinical rotations at leading hospitals across greater Los Angeles. The program is accredited through Spring 2033. The USC brand and the depth of LA-area clinical sites make it a flagship Southern California option — and a highly competitive one.
Loma Linda University runs a competitive program that admits a small cohort (historically up to around 18 students) and runs roughly 39 months, front-loading didactic coursework before clinical immersion. Samuel Merritt University in Oakland serves the Bay Area, and National University serves the San Diego region. Small cohorts across the board mean California acceptance is among the most competitive in the country — strong applicants routinely apply to several California programs plus out-of-state schools.
| Hospital | Metro | Notable ICU Types |
|---|---|---|
| LAC+USC Medical Center | Los Angeles | Level I Trauma, SICU, MICU |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Los Angeles | CVICU, Neuro ICU, transplant ICU |
| UCLA Ronald Reagan | Los Angeles | CVICU, Neuro ICU, transplant, academic acuity |
| UCSF Medical Center | San Francisco | CVICU, Neuro ICU, transplant ICU |
| Stanford Health Care | Palo Alto | CVICU, Neuro ICU, transplant |
| UC San Diego Health | San Diego | Level I Trauma, CVICU, Neuro ICU |
California programs want sustained adult critical care — ventilated patients on vasoactive infusions with arterial and central lines. CVICU and trauma SICU roles at these academic systems produce the strongest applications. With so few seats, the quality and acuity of your ICU experience carries extra weight in California.
Because California program calendars differ, verify each school's deadlines individually and plan to apply 10–14 months ahead of your target start. Given the scarcity of seats, building a list that includes both California programs and strong out-of-state options (Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Texas) is a practical hedge. Have your CCRN completed and your ICU hours documented well before applications open.
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