UC San Diego Health

Academic Medical Center · San Diego, CA

See 12 open roles

12
open roles, live count: $72k–$194k/yr
posted pay across 8 roles: 5.0
Google rating

On the floor

What the day-to-day looks like

Setting: Academic Medical Center
Shifts hiring now: Days 7 · Nights 2

The city

Living in San Diego, CA

Swap snow boots for dawn patrol at Pacific Beach before shifts at UC San Diego Health. San Diego's cost of living runs about 12% above the national average, but California nursing wages, 70 miles of coastline, and Balboa Park make the premium work—especially when January means outdoor tacos in Barrio Logan, not windshield ice.

Browse roles in San Diego

Map showing the location of San Diego, CA — San Diego, CA on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map

Metro price level · San Diego area: 12% above the national average; BEA index 111.9 (100 = national)
Median gross rent: $2,313/mo; rent and tenant-paid utilities
Median household income: $108,077/yr; all local households, not nurse pay

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024

Who they are

UC San Diego Health is an academic medical center within the University of California system, recognized as part of one of the top fifteen research universities worldwide and a top ten public university.

Academic Medical Center · San Diego
Hiring days & nights

More about UC San Diego Health

The health system combines patient care, groundbreaking research, and inspired teaching, with a strategic framework built on a supportive culture and strong financial foundation. The organization's strategic plan emphasizes cultivating smart decision-making, accountability, engagement, and integrity, while also addressing structural racism and health disparities. For nursing professionals, UC San Diego Health offers opportunities in specialized units including PeriAnesthesia, Surgical ICU, and Ventricular Assist Device programs. The nursing workforce is represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA) under the NX bargaining unit, with internal represented RN/NP applicants given priority consideration during the first seven days of job postings. Nurses are expected to practice autonomously consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance.

Mission: To deliver outstanding patient care through commitment to the community, groundbreaking research and inspired teaching. Vision: To create a healthier world — one life at a time — through new science, new medicine and new cures. Core cultural values include smart decision making, accountability, engagement, integrity, and addressing structural racism and health disparities. The organization positions itself as student-centered, research-focused, and service-oriented, emphasizing a 'changemaker' culture where employees advance innovation and care.

Working here

Culture and working life

academicresearch-focusedinnovation-drivenmission-orientedservice-orientedaccountablecommunity-committedchangemaker

What to consider

Indeed.com shows an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 109 reviews for UC San Diego Health. Detailed ratings: Work-life balance 3.8/5, Pay and benefits 4.3/5, Job security and advancement 3.8/5, Management 3.5/5, Culture 3.9/5. Employees highlight the ability to learn new things, a clear sense of purpose, and a feeling of personal appreciation as top positives. Management received the lowest sub-rating at 3.5/5 on Indeed.

The good

Strong pay and benefits rated 4.3 out of 5 on Indeed
Academic medical center environment with opportunities to learn new things and grow professionally
Clear sense of purpose and mission-driven culture
Employees report feeling personal appreciation
Union representation through CNA (NX unit) providing structured labor protections
Access to specialized programs such as Ventricular Assist Device with strong clinical outcomes

The hard parts

Management rated lowest among sub-categories at 3.5 out of 5 on Indeed
Work-life balance rated moderately at 3.8 out of 5, suggesting room for improvement
Internal CNA-represented RN/NP applicants receive priority consideration, potentially limiting external candidate opportunities during the first 7 days of postings
Autonomous practice expectations in high-acuity settings like Surgical ICU may contribute to workload pressures

The reality check

Before you decide

Quick facts

Relationship: Direct employer
Roles last seen active: Sep 7, 2026
Website: health.ucsd.edu ↗

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