This is on behalf of my dd who is 23 and graduates in May. She is too busy filling out essay-long applications to local hospitals to post and I come here occasionally. She is doing an internship @ Rady's in Peds (very fortunate to have even gotten this!) and would like to go into L&D or Peds but the new grad positions are extremely competitive. Does she stand a chance? What do these hospitals in CA look for in a new grad? Should she pass her NCLEX first & would that give her a better chance? I guess if she had to relocate she would and could at her age and circumstances. I almost can't believe this is how it is out there in nursing. A couple of years ago I don't think this would have been a concern!?

Any suggestions from current or previous Socal new grads would be greatly appreciated.

Just a concerned mother looking to help her daughter.

Make certain that she has a realistic picture of the job market. She can't just expect to get something just like that. New grads throughout the state of CA are going months and even years without work, unless they make the decision to relocate. The same applies to nurses who have experience. It isn't the best of situations, but it is the reality in CA.