New Grad Nursing Jobs in CA

Wh0617 · Apr 23, 2012

Hey winter_green. I am new to the LA area and also a recent grad. I am new to this site so it will not allow me to PM you. I would love to get some feedback on job search since I am like most of us on the site and really having a hard time finding a job. Thank you!

sd-ace · Apr 24, 2012

I agree with the previous posters about So. Cal. The job market is extremely difficult even with more hospitals advertising new grad programs. You have to take into account that new grads from all over the state are applying down here because of the perceived notion that there are more opportunities. There are 'old' new grads, current new grads and those just graduating that are applying. That's a couple thousand per application round with only a few spots open. That and most of those spots are already 'reserved' for internal applicants, but by law have to be posted to the outside. I've seen a bunch of internals being hired (current nursing assistants or volunteers, some with 2 degrees) for these programs. Many have been out of school for months. I don't think anyone is being a downer about the situation. It is reality right now. From my experience, take any job offer anywhere until you land your "dream" job (part time work, dr's offices, immunization clinics, dialysis centers, blood banks, etc.). It's really all about experience and networking. There really is no way to tell when the job market will turn around.

Emilynn09 · May 3, 2012

I will agree with ALL of this. I just graduated this past Jan- and I am working at a community hospital on a specialty floor, but I also knew someone and I am driving VERY far from home. Most of the people in my new grad program either did their clinicals at this hospital, knew someone that worked there and got in under a recommendation, or had worked there as an LVN or CNA before being hired onto the new grad program. I also don't know how many applicants there were from the start- but there's only 18 people in my new grad class, many have another BS degree in another field, even some Master's degrees and just about everyone has a BSN with the exception of a couple of us- myself being one of them. I've tried to refer my friends over to get hired, and even they have been turned town. When I inquired about it, HR told me there were just too many applicants and they weren't taking any more applications at this time for even the following new grad program that they might take more again at the end of summer. It's a HARD market out there. Out of my entire graduating class, only a hand full of us have jobs in the hospital setting, another hand full are in LTC and a few are working in Home Health- that doesn't even cover half the class. I know people who graduated 1,2 & 3 semesters ahead of me that are still on the hunt. Many settling for CNA or sitter jobs.

Again, I hate to be a downer- but, I'd advise you to get your experience there where you live and move here to CA in a couple years. There's A LOT of nursing jobs available for people who have 2+ years of experience.

RNtobeinSoCal · May 4, 2012

try chsica.org they seem to be new grad friendly. It's a community health clinic but you will get real RN experience. It is SOO hard for new grads without connections, so if you can get in anywhere, JUMP ON IT! Also, use a California address of a friend on your CV.

Lin19 · Jul 1, 2012

Hey all..
I'm new to this site, so here's a little bit about myself.. I graduate from nursing school in May, and I live in NY. I am looking to move to CA and hopefully find a position in an ICU there. I don't really have much information about CA hospitals, but I know here in NY a few hospitals do an ICU internship program that they offer to new grads and experienced nurses. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was anything offered like that in CA? Also, if anyone knows any hospitals that are willing to hire new grads to their ICU I would appreciate the information! I am looking to take my boards in June and then hopefully come to CA to continue my job search/interview over the summer. I just want to get as much information right now as I possibly can so that I am prepared!
Thanks!
Katie

Hey Katie, I am from Cali but I'm here in NY for nursing school. I realized that it's not only hard to get into nursing school in Cali but also getting a job. I'm really interested in getting ICU experience here before I move back to Cali. Do u know any hospitals with critical care nurse internship/residency programs?

thth21 · Jul 4, 2012

Hi Katie,

I definitely agree with everything that has already been said here. I'm a new grad from a BSN program and was hired into Cardiac ICU in the Central Valley, but I was an internal. The only new grads that the hospital that I worked hired at were internals (externs, PCA's). I have seen my hospital post some new grad positions, but I've heard that landing a position as an external is pretty competitive, sometimes taking up to 6 months. It's not even bad here compared to the Bay Area, where I did my BSN. Most of the nursing students I graduated were set on staying in the Bay Area, and out of 90 students, only about 4-5 of us have landed jobs since May. No one has been hired by a Bay Area hospital, and two were relocating out of state. I'd definitely try to get experience elsewhere before making the move to California. It's just too competitive now as a new grad.

canuck1019 · Jul 9, 2012

Hey Tamm, I know that LIJ does a critical care fellowship program.. but that's all I really know of. Other hospitals are really hit or miss. I have been having a hard time trying to get into the ICU here, and I might have to accept a different position and then transfer after I get some experience (hopefully to CA!) Does anyone know how much experience is necessary before they will consider an out of stater?

and thth, thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to do a year here and then try again..

Emilynn09 · Jul 14, 2012

Hey Tamm, I know that LIJ does a critical care fellowship program.. but that's all I really know of. Other hospitals are really hit or miss. I have been having a hard time trying to get into the ICU here, and I might have to accept a different position and then transfer after I get some experience (hopefully to CA!) Does anyone know how much experience is necessary before they will consider an out of stater?
and thth, thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to do a year here and then try again..

I don't think you being from out of state has anything to do with getting hired, as long as you have a valid CA license. Most of the jobs here say 1 year required experience in acute care, and 2 years of preferred- also the ads all say BSN preferred, ADN required. That's here in the San Diego area.

mgp6 · Jul 15, 2012

Definitely make sure you have a job lined up and CA RN license before moving. Usually, the big hospitals here in CA are more willing to hire new grads from all over the US, such as UCLA (one of the biggest new grad programs where you could go right into ICU- a lot of people from my cohort are from out of state), Cedars-Sinai, CHLA, CHOC, UCSD, Sharp, and Scripps (all in SoCal). In NorCal, UCSF, UC davis, and Stanford have new grad programs but not as big as UCLA program, so they usually hire internals or graduates from surrounding schools.

In Central Valley, hospitals under Tenet, Sutter, and Dignity health have new grad programs but positions also mostly go to internals/grads from nearby schools. Tenet hospitals have 3-yr contract for new grads to ensure that they won't be moving somewhere else after a year (you have to pay if you wanna break the contract). Sutter usually only have new grad training programs, so you're not guaranteed a full time position after the 4 months of training.

Goobstress · Jul 25, 2012

I completely agree with The Commuter as far as the job market here for new grads. It would be better if you stayed and entered a new grad program in NY to be on the safe side and then move here to Cali once you gain some experience.

super nerd · Mar 22, 2014

Ek I am about to enter nursing school and these forums make me so nervous about graduating in so cal! Its good to know and be real about the job market situation though... too many unrealistic expectations out there!

RedNavy · Mar 24, 2014

NO JOBS! UGH :no: