sudden plans to move to CA

[minimo]

Hi, all. This is one of my first posts here, so bear with me. I am writing to solicit advice about moving to the Silicon Valley area and finding a job as an RN.

I am an ABSN prepared RN working at Duke University in its heart center (cardiology step-down unit). I've been working for ~6 months and started there as a new grad. I love my job there, and I've found it a great place to work, but my fiance and I are suddenly faced with a tough situation. He lost his job here a couple weeks ago, and now he's got two great offers from companies in silicon valley, with recruiters still calling. Since we're paying for a wedding and his income is (much) higher than mine, we're seriously considering making the move in the next couple months. I'm a bit weary of moving to California since I've lived my whole life in cities along the east coast, but I'm beginning to warm up to the idea.

My questions are:

1. How long would it take me to get an RN license by endorsement from NC?

2. Which hospitals in that area offer better work environments and pay? I think I would prefer a hospital similar to Duke (maybe Stanford?), with a good teaching program.

3. I realize no place is really affordable there, but which towns/neighborhoods offer relatively reasonable rental rates with an environment suitable for a (almost!) married couple in their mid 20s with no children?

4. What kind of wages might I expect to make? Is $40 about right?

5. I'm planning to go back to school soon to become an NP...any suggestions re: schools?

6. How reliable, quick, and expensive is the public transportation system? Does anyone regularly use it to go to/from work?

I would greatly appreciate any help/advice/warnings/insights anyone could provide.

[augigi, CNS]

Can't help with much of your post, but I have read that you can endorse on the same day if you go to the CA BRN office (I think it's in Sacramento?).

[carol72]

The silicon area is beautiful. Stanford, from what I hear is wonderful. If your moving is a remote possibility I would be proactive about contacting the board in CA, call Stanford, make lots of calls. I know people in Saratoga, spent some time there. Great climate. This is one of very few areas I would actually want to move to. Best wishes.

[pc2]

My questions are:

3. I realize no place is really affordable there, but which towns/neighborhoods offer relatively reasonable rental rates with an environment suitable for a (almost!) married couple in their mid 20s with no children?

5. I'm planning to go back to school soon to become an NP...any suggestions re: schools?

6. How reliable, quick, and expensive is the public transportation system? Does anyone regularly use it to go to/from work?

I would greatly appreciate any help/advice/warnings/insights anyone could provide.

3 - To get an idea of rental rates check craigslist.org. It's generally more expensive the closer you get to Palo Alto, Los Alto or Cupertino. Areas to stay area from are East Palo Alto, parts of East San Jose. It should be pretty obvious if drive through the neighborhood.

5 - The NP schools in the greater Bay Area are UCSF, and Meritt College unless you do an online program

6 - Public transportation for the most part is pretty bad. There are several mass transit systems in the Bay Area. If your work and residence is along the same mass transit system (meaning you don't have to transfer) it may be workable. BART is probably the best system but it doesn't cover Silicon Valley. The light rain in San Jose is ok but the coverage isn't very good.