California Foster Care and RN

I can't speak specifically to California, but I've been a child psych CNS for a long time and have worked closely with the foster care system in a few different states over the years -- by virtue of having clients who were kids who happened to be in foster care; I did not work for or in the foster care system of those states.

I've never encountered (or even heard of) a nurse working for any of the foster care systems with which I've had experience -- foster care is typically run by the state Department of Social Services (different actual names in different states), and the staff are usually social workers. Foster care is not considered healthcare, so I'm not sure what you expect they would employ nurses to do.

I'm not saying that it's impossible you could ever get a job in foster care, but it would certainly not be a common, ordinary thing.

I worked as a PHN for the Foster Care program in Los Angeles County. As far as I know, every county in California hires PHN's for their Foster Care programs which means you have to have your BSN and PHN certificate. The jobs are listed under each county's public health nurse job postings, which is why you're not finding any "RN" jobs in foster care.

The foster care program is actually called the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care and you work alongside the social workers. When I worked there (2002 & 2003) it was strictly an adminstrative job (no hands on allowed). We basically just sat in our cubicles entering health information into the computer for all the foster children under our caseloads. We also made referrals to other programs depending on their health needs and followed up on abnormal medical/dental exam findings. The pay was pretty good, we had every other Friday off (worked a 9/80 schedule) and the job was very low stress. Let me know if you have anymore questions!

being an ex foster child i always remember nurses being around i think you should try private foster agencys

Hi.
Check out www.sdcounty.ca.gov . I work for the County and I know for a fact that they have Public Health and Foster Care openings.
San DIego is a great place to live.
Harry