California Department of Public Health

Nurses employed at CDPH typically work in roles related to healthcare facility licensing, certification, regulatory inspections, quality assessment, and public health program management rather than direct bedside patient care. The Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ) is a primary division where nurses serve, focusing on ensuring healthcare facilities comply with state laws and federal regulations, including cooperation with CMS. CDPH emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as core components of its mission. The agency is currently developing a Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 aimed at transforming the foundations of public health, including pursuing national Public Health Accreditation. CDPH has also developed core competencies for its public health workforce, drawn from nationally accepted models, to support professional development and ensure staff can meet the public health needs of Californians. The work environment is characterized by a clear sense of purpose and opportunities to learn new things, though as a large state bureaucracy, it shares some of the typical challenges associated with government employment.

CDPH's mission is to protect the public's health and shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across California. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core to this mission, with a stated commitment to cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness where a diverse team can grow and learn together. The organization values collaboration, regulatory excellence, continuous improvement in healthcare delivery, and workforce development grounded in nationally accepted public health competency frameworks.