Salary: $130,020.80 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number:
Department: Behavioral Health Services
Division: Behavioral Health Services
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Summary
The County of San Diego is currently accepting applications for the position of

Psychiatric Nurse
Reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent, candidates selected for this classification are hired at the highest step 5, at the base pay of $130,020.80 within the salary range.
Future

Salary Increases:
** June 2027 - 5.63% increase to

base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 2.63% Market Adjustment)
Interviews will be week of August 17, 2026

Offers will be made week of August 24, 2026.

HOURLY RATES AND PREMIUMS
Psychiatric Nurses at the Psychiatric Hospital are assigned to one of two shifts:

Morning (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or Night (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
SAN DIEGO COUNTY PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
The San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital (SDCPH) is a publicly funded, free-standing psychiatric hospital. It is a locked facility and a component of the San Diego County Behavioral Health Services' continuum of care. The mission of the Hospital is to provide psychiatric evaluation and crisis intervention-oriented acute treatment for adult residents of San Diego County. The goal of the Hospital is to help stabilize patients' behavioral health crisis, and move ahead to a less restrictive level of care.

Read more abou tthe

Psychiatric Nurses participate in providing exceptional behavioral health care through demonstrating compassion, empathy and perseverance for our patients and their entrusting families. Committed to providing psychiatric excellence, we seek experienced psychiatric nurses with a professional passion to complement our current team.
Our nurses are engaged, lifelong learners who believe in a culture of collaboration, communication and a team approach to quality patient care. This is a unique environment for learning and implementing a diverse set of nursing skills.
Current vacancies are at the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital, 3853 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA 92110, however the eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other locations.
Please read a description of including essential functions, working conditions, etc.
Hiring Process and Timeline

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job Offer and Background Process: After interviews week of August 24, 2026. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid and current Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing at time of appointment.

Note: Must have applied for a Registered Nurse License from the California Board Registered Nursing at time of application.
Notes

• Experience in a psychiatric, detox, or emergency setting is highly desirable.
• Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider CPR certification is required prior to the time of appointment.
• Valid Professional Assault Crisis and Restraint Certification Training certification is highly desirable. New incumbents must complete this training during orientation and prior to working with patients.
• A valid National Provider Identification Number (NPI) is required at time of appointment.

Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
Condition of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a three (3) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary
01

Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score. Please note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s) by a department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

Please do not respond to supplemental questions with "Refer to Resume." The experience indicated in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application.

Do you understand this information?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a current and valid Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

03

Please provide your California RN license number and expiration date.
If you are not currently licensed by the State of California, indicate "N/A."
04

Do you have a valid and current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card?
Note: A valid and current BLS CPR card is required prior to the time of appointment.If you do not currently hold the BLS CPR certification and are placed on an eligible list, we will not be able to appoint you to a position until you have the BLS CPR certification.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a valid National Provider Identification Number (NPI)?
Note: A valid NPI number is required at time of appointment.

• Yes
• No

06

Please provide your National Provider Identification (NPI) number.
If you do not possess an NPI number, indicate "N/A."
07

In this position, work may involve exposure to patients with communicable diseases. Are you willing and able to work under these conditions if given appropriate protection?

• Yes
• No

08

In this position, you may be subjected to verbal and physical abuse from patients. Are you willing and able to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

09

The County of San Diego Psychiatric Hospital is a 24-hour, locked facility. If selected for this position, are you willing to work evenings and/or weekends?

• Yes
• No

10

Please indicate if you have nursing experience (including student nursing experience) in any of the following settings. Check all that apply.
Note: Please ensure that all of your Registered Nursing work experience is listed under the "Employment History" section.

• Acute Care
• Subacute
• Skilled Nursing Facility
• Psychiatric Facility
• Outpatient/Inpatient
• Detention Facility
• Emergency Department
• I do not have nursing experience in any of the settings listed above.

11

Please indicate the tasks you have performed as it pertains to your nursing experience. Check all that apply.

• Plans and provides nursing care for patients
• Performs assessments, physical exams and health histories
• Coordinates care, in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals
• Administer medications and treatments
• Documents patient information on medical charts and follows physician's orders
• Uses and cares for medical equipment
• I do not have experience with any of the tasks listed above.

12

Describe your experience with quality of care initiatives and process improvement projects.
If you do not have any experience, please indicate with "N/A."
13

Describe your experience with Joint Commission, Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and/or California Department of Public Health surveys.
If you do not have any experience, please indicate with "N/A."
14

Describe your experience with nursing leadership roles.
In your response, please include the following:
1. Brief description of your experience
2. Your job title
If you do not have any experience, please indicate with "N/A."
15

Were you referred by a County employee to apply for this position? Note: effective September 9, 2022, County employees are eligible to earn cash awards for any candidates they refer to hard to recruit positions that are then hired.

• Yes
• No

16

If you responded "Yes" to the above, in the space provided please list the name of the County employee that referred you. Please indicate "n/a" if not applicable.
17

Where did you hear about this job opportunity?

• San Diego County website
• Governmentjobs.com
• Veteran Outreach / FFSC
• Southern California American Indian Resource Center (SCAIR)
• Mana de San Diego
• Family, Neighbors, Friends
• County Employee Resources Group
• College/University Career Site
• County Social Media
• Purdue Global University Career Services
• San Diego National Association of Hispanic Nurses
• Indeed.com
• San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
• Other

18

If you selected "other", please tell us how you first heard about this job opportunity.

Please indicate "N/A" if not applicable.
Required Question