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Employer

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Unit, San Diego, CA

San Diego, California

$64.39/hr

About $134k–$177k/yr

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RN

Posted Aug 19, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 26, 2026

What this means for you

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego is a specialty hospital, so the case mix runs deep rather than wide. The posted pay pencils out to roughly $134k–$177k a year. Per-diem means you set the rhythm — pick up when it works, step back when it doesn't.

What the listing says

EHR & union
Union position

About this role

Show full description
Job Summary The Clinical Nurse II collaborates with physicians and multidisciplinary team members. Responsible for independently applying the nursing process through the assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of pediatric patient care. Resolves patient problems and needs by applying multidisciplinary team strategies. Selects and coordinates the appropriate care, taking into consideration the age, developmental level and size of the patient. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration, storage procedures and controlled substance regulations. Should be able to identify own limitations and seek resources as needed. Maintains a collaborative relationship among health care teams by communicating information and participating in team problem-solving methods. Minimum Qualifications Associate's Degree in Nursing 1 year of experience Current California RN License BLS for Healthcare Providers, issued by American Heart Association PALS or PEARS (American Heart Association) (within 3 months of hire) Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Nursing 3 years of experience Professional nursing certification Pediatric nursing experience in a comparable, high-acuity department Bilingual English/Spanish The current salary range for this position is $64.39 to $85.17 A candidate’s placement in the range will be determined based on the terms and conditions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Rady Children’s Hospital is committed to being externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by reviewing market data to remain competitive within the nonprofit, healthcare sector. This posting will remain open from the “date posted” until the hiring manager has determined there is a sufficient applicant pool or until the position is filled.

Skills for this role

AssessmentPlanningImplementationEvaluationPediatric Patient CareInfection Control Policies and ProtocolsMedication AdministrationStorage ProceduresControlled Substance Regulations

Certifications

BLSPALSPEARS

Requirements

  • California RN License
  • experience

About the employer

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego logo
Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego
Specialty Hospital

You would be joining Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego, the only hospital in the area dedicated exclusively to pediatric care and a Level 1 trauma center on a 27-acre campus at 3020 Childrens Way. Recruiting materials put the bed count around…

505 beds
Magnet® recognized
Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego workplace

What reviewers appreciate

  • Stated $59.73/hour base for Spring 2026 new-grad RN cohort with annual increases
  • Only San Diego-area hospital exclusively for pediatric care; Level 1 trauma center
  • Magnet recognition for nursing excellence

What reviewers flag

  • Union strike authorization in 2025 amid contract talks
  • Community reports of core nursing staff feeling underpaid
  • Glassdoor recommend rate only about 57–60%
pediatricMagnetuniontraumaexpansionnonprofit

Living in San Diego, CA

San Diego pairs year-round beach weather with a laid-back outdoor lifestyle that makes it easy to trade scrubs for surfboards after a shift. Balboa Park offers trails and museums, while neighborhoods like Hillcrest give nurses walkable dining and nightlife options.

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

Browse open roles in San Diego

Worth asking

We can’t answer these from the listing we have. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.

  • Can you walk me through the base pay range and differentials?
  • What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
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