County of Kern
Hiring organization · Based in Bakersfield, CA
The city
Living in Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield sits in California's Central Valley, offering a down-to-earth rhythm distinct from coastal-city bustle. Out-of-state RNs find broad healthcare demand, quick highway access throughout Kern County, and a music and agriculture heritage. Proximity to the Sierra Nevada provides weekend escapes to mountains and national parks.
Browse roles in Bakersfield
- Metro price level · Bakersfield area
- 1% above the national average
- BEA index 100.9 (100 = national)
- Median gross rent
- $1,472/mo
- rent and tenant-paid utilities
- Median household income
- $80,540/yr
- all local households, not nurse pay
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024
Who they are
County of Kern is a government employer located in Bakersfield, California (93301) that hires Registered Nurses for positions in psychiatric and mental health settings.
More about County of Kern
The employer offers a tiered nursing position structure with three levels (I, II, III), each with progressively higher salary ranges and experience requirements. The examination process for these positions involves an appraisal that evaluates training, education, experience, interest, and personal fitness, which may include investigation, oral examination, and/or rating of the application. Applicants must achieve at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process. Level I requires only a valid California RN license, while Level II requires an RN license plus two years of full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or mental health program. Level III presumably requires additional experience or qualifications, though the full requirements were not completely provided in the source material. The salary structure spans approximately $96,205 to $147,538 annually across all three levels, paid on a monthly basis. The profile is based solely on the job description provided.
Working here
Culture and working life
What to consider
The good
- Tiered career progression with three levels (I, II, III) allowing for advancement based on experience
- Competitive salary ranges from approximately $96,205 to $147,538 annually
- Structured and transparent examination process with defined 70% minimum scoring requirement
- Clear minimum qualifications for each level provide defined career pathways
The hard parts
- Monthly pay frequency may be challenging for nurses accustomed to bi-weekly pay cycles
- Appraisal-based examination process (Weight 100%) may be perceived as subjective compared to standardized testing
- Level II requires two years of full-time psychiatric or mental health nursing experience, which may limit advancement for nurses without this specific background
The reality check
Before you decide
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