How is the job market in California?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2010

I'm going to be blunt. Please save yourself and find another state to make your destination. Most parts of California are already saturated with 2008 and 2009 nursing graduates who have not yet found jobs. The state's overall economy is terrible, and its nursing job market leaves much to be desired. Unless you have 2 to 5 years of acute care nursing experience, I would not relocate to CA.

I was born and raised in CA and would like to move back, but I must continue to live in my current state if I wish to be employed.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Sep 18, 2010

Yeah....California is horrible, even experienced nurses are having trouble landing jobs.

lovelivelearn · Sep 19, 2010

THANKS!!! that was honest and helpful...now i will reconsider my options=)

caliotter3 · Sep 19, 2010

I have to agree, the job market is very bad in CA. I left one part of the state because I could no longer afford to be unemployed, and work has dried up in the area where I now live. Wages have been lowered in addition to fewer jobs being available. I would not come to CA without a job offer in hand.

ICUSkeenRN · Sep 23, 2010

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but there ARE jobs for new grads in Southern California. You just have to get off the beaten path, ie look in other hospitals besides the large ones which advertise new grad programs (which means thousands of new grads will apply).

How I got my first RN job:

-had my sights set on a particular specialty from day one, and geared everything in my resume towards it

-put together certifications for my specialty (acls, pals, ekg, wound care) and joined ANA, AACN, ENA

-called SMALL hospitals, asked to speak to the unit directors in (insert specialty floor)

-spoke to unit directors directly and inquired about RN positions

-discussed my certifications and goals (getting an MSN, CCRN, etc)

These tips landed me INTERVIEWS, and I got a job right off the bat in ICU with a great orientation.

I hope this helps someone.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Sep 26, 2010

Wow good thinking! :) Where can one get wound care cert and EKG? I already have ACLS and PALS. Just looking for more things that will make me look good. I think I will join a few organizations too. Hope that helps.

monkeysarecute · Sep 27, 2010

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but there ARE jobs for new grads in Southern California. You just have to get off the beaten path, ie look in other hospitals besides the large ones which advertise new grad programs (which means thousands of new grads will apply).
How I got my first RN job:
-had my sights set on a particular specialty from day one, and geared everything in my resume towards it
-put together certifications for my specialty (acls, pals, ekg, wound care) and joined ANA, AACN, ENA
-called SMALL hospitals, asked to speak to the unit directors in (insert specialty floor)
-spoke to unit directors directly and inquired about RN positions
-discussed my certifications and goals (getting an MSN, CCRN, etc)
These tips landed me INTERVIEWS, and I got a job right off the bat in ICU with a great orientation.
I hope this helps someone.

Hi ICUSkeenRN.

Can you please give me some examples of those small hospitals you are talking about? Aside from the big hospitals LA, I am not really familiar with anything outside of LA.

Btw, congrats!

BABO · Sep 28, 2010

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but there ARE jobs for new grads in Southern California. You just have to get off the beaten path, ie look in other hospitals besides the large ones which advertise new grad programs (which means thousands of new grads will apply).
How I got my first RN job:
-had my sights set on a particular specialty from day one, and geared everything in my resume towards it
-put together certifications for my specialty (acls, pals, ekg, wound care) and joined ANA, AACN, ENA
-called SMALL hospitals, asked to speak to the unit directors in (insert specialty floor)
-spoke to unit directors directly and inquired about RN positions
-discussed my certifications and goals (getting an MSN, CCRN, etc)
These tips landed me INTERVIEWS, and I got a job right off the bat in ICU with a great orientation.
I hope this helps someone.

You called the HR department and just asked to speak to the hiring nurse for (blank) department ? I've tried calling, left messages, followed up with emails, and nothing.

ICUSkeenRN · Sep 29, 2010

Not the HR department. The Unit Manager of (insert floor here). The Unit Manager is a Nurse.

BABO · Sep 30, 2010

Not the HR department. The Unit Manager of (insert floor here). The Unit Manager is a Nurse.

Did you do foot work too? I've physically went in to numerous units, even where I did my clinical preceptorship, called, left messages, emailed, and nothing. I think if I actually received a phone call from a live human being, I would call back just to thank that person for personalizing that phone call to me. That is how long it's been since I've heard a person's voice. All I've been getting are the massive amount of computerized rejection letters. Arugh back to the grind. :uhoh3:

ICUSkeenRN · Sep 30, 2010

Oh man, I know that's tough. No, I was fortunate enough to not have had to do any actual foot work. Where exactly do you live? If you live near me, I'd be happy to send you some contacts of mine.

Skeen