Shortage or Overload?

Don't move until you get a job. Apply early and also apply in your home state ( in case Cali is a no go). I know of some new grads who have been looking for work since June, and they are still unemployed!

It's a bit of both really. New Grads have oversaturated the job market, but those with a year of experience can find work.

I wouldn't move to CA until you have 1-2 years of experience under your belt. CA has a surplus of new grads with no experience, and a shortage of experienced nurses.

I am not sure about LA, but SF bay area is fully saturated. All the hospitals here are inundated with resumes and applications. I found a job FINALLY and it took me a year of searching.

Like someone mentioned before, have a job first before you move here. If you move and don't have one, it's not like the economy is doing anyone any good right now. So, obviously other jobs will be scare.

I think that's true. SAN FRANCISCO has an overload of nurses in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities.... I have been complaining since the time I started finding jobs after I took the NCLEX of this year. I think LA and San Diego is better. They have new grad training program. SF has a problem of overload.....

Actually I have family in the San Diego region and they have an overload too. If you have experience then it might be a little bit easier to find a job there.

First of all California is more then just San Francisco or San Diego. I would suggest to look in the Cental Valley, Fresno areas. Do move to California. First, apply for the license in peson and you will get temporary one (valid for 6 month) on the same day. See the Board's website for docs list. Then, go to places you are interested in, and apply in person.

I'm talking based on own experience. I had been applying with the hospitals I was interested in for 3 month with no effect. Buy when I presented in person with CA license in hand, it changed everything and I got two job offers the next day. I was a new grad at that time.

There is definitely a shortage in the central valley because it's one of the less desired places to live in CA due to weather. I interviewed over the phone and was hired for a CVICU position, but I decided against it b/c I lucked out here in SF.

As far as having your license in hand? That probably won't work in the more saturated areas, such as: LA, San Diego or SF. The job market is tight and with every job comes over 100 applicants. I've been to job interviews with my license in hand and that didn't help me. It was interviewing well, timing and luck. I would also say that you lucked out going in person to the CABON. I know plenty of people, including myself who went in person; it didn't expedite anything. Everything took the same amount of time as paper mailing.

I think Central Valley is a good place to get the initial exprience for a year or two. Just like you said it's hard for new grads to get a job in big metropolitan areas. And I think it's better to work here then to go around for a year or so miserably applying for limited positions in SF, LA, or San Diego.