How can I get a RN job in CA ASAP?

Mino · Jan 25, 2005

I got my RN license on Jan 10th, and I am now looking for jobs. I had already registered for ACLS & BCLS certification courses in February.

However, I really don't know how I can get a job ASAP in California. I received some phone calls from recuriters, but they never really told me if I sign contract with them, where or which hospital they are going to replace me, which makes me feel anxious, and don't want to sign contract with them.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Thank you

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

You said that you have your licence, but do you have a California licence? That's the first thing to do, if you are planning on moving. That can take 2-3 months, if you are out of state.

Next suggestion, get a good map. If you move to LA, it's a big city, and not always easy to get around. It takes time learning to drive in 6 lanes of traffic, with the speed going from 70 mph to zero. There is public transportion, but that doesn't always work for nurses.There are lots of hospitals, and when I was moving (away from the LA area), I found a book in the library with info about the different hospitals, so I looked for the facility that had the area of nursing that I wanted. Next, I made phone calls, to any place that looked interesting. Then I talked to Human Resources, and to the dept that interested me. I told them I would be in the area, and asked to see the place, and meet the dept head.

I am sure that you can now find this info online, also Allnurses has salary info. It doesn't hurt to ask HR, even if you haven't had an interview. Our new grads start at $27 per hour plus diffs, and I live in Central California.

Good luck in your job hunt!

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

You said that you have your licence, but do you have a California licence? That's the first thing to do, if you are planning on moving. That can take 2-3 months, if you are out of state.

Next suggestion, get a good map. If you move to LA, it's a big city, and not always easy to get around. It takes time learning to drive in 6 lanes of traffic, with the speed going from 70 mph to zero. There is public transportion, but that doesn't always work for nurses.There are lots of hospitals, and when I was moving (away from the LA area), I found a book in the library with info about the different hospitals, so I looked for the facility that had the area of nursing that I wanted. Next, I made phone calls, to any place that looked interesting. Then I talked to Human Resources, and to the dept that interested me. I told them I would be in the area, and asked to see the place, and meet the dept head.

I am sure that you can now find this info online, also Allnurses has salary info. It doesn't hurt to ask HR, even if you haven't had an interview. Our new grads start at $27 per hour plus diffs, and I live in Central California.

Good luck in your job hunt!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

I got my RN license on Jan 10th, and I am now looking for jobs. I had already registered for ACLS & BCLS certification courses in February.
However, I really don't know how I can get a job ASAP in California. I received some phone calls from recuriters, but they never really told me if I sign contract with them, where or which hospital they are going to replace me, which makes me feel anxious, and don't want to sign contract with them.
Can anyone give me some suggestions?
Thank you

Some states have reciprocity, meaning that they recognize each others' licenses as good enough to issue you one of their own. Others have reciprocity by endorsement, which means you still have to give them proof of your educational background, but you can be licensed there without much hassle. And in some states, you can walk into the BON or BNE or BORN (or whatever they are calling it), with your license (and your transcripts just in case), and walk out with your license a few hours later.

As to finding work, recruiters will rarely work with someone who has no experience, and hospitals might not pay for someone they are going to have to train. (Yes, they will, and you want that.) Go straight to the hospitals! Telephone, email, snail mail, apply online.

Plenty of nurse shortage out there, and not all of California is LA or San Diego or San Francisco.... some of it is smaller towns and less congestion and (don't know what you are used to) perhaps more like what you have experienced in other parts of the world.

Good luck to you!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

I got my RN license on Jan 10th, and I am now looking for jobs. I had already registered for ACLS & BCLS certification courses in February.
However, I really don't know how I can get a job ASAP in California. I received some phone calls from recuriters, but they never really told me if I sign contract with them, where or which hospital they are going to replace me, which makes me feel anxious, and don't want to sign contract with them.
Can anyone give me some suggestions?
Thank you

Some states have reciprocity, meaning that they recognize each others' licenses as good enough to issue you one of their own. Others have reciprocity by endorsement, which means you still have to give them proof of your educational background, but you can be licensed there without much hassle. And in some states, you can walk into the BON or BNE or BORN (or whatever they are calling it), with your license (and your transcripts just in case), and walk out with your license a few hours later.

As to finding work, recruiters will rarely work with someone who has no experience, and hospitals might not pay for someone they are going to have to train. (Yes, they will, and you want that.) Go straight to the hospitals! Telephone, email, snail mail, apply online.

Plenty of nurse shortage out there, and not all of California is LA or San Diego or San Francisco.... some of it is smaller towns and less congestion and (don't know what you are used to) perhaps more like what you have experienced in other parts of the world.

Good luck to you!

Mino · Jan 25, 2005

You said that you have your licence, but do you have a California licence? That's the first thing to do, if you are planning on moving. That can take 2-3 months, if you are out of state.
Next suggestion, get a good map. If you move to LA, it's a big city, and not always easy to get around. It takes time learning to drive in 6 lanes of traffic, with the speed going from 70 mph to zero. There is public transportion, but that doesn't always work for nurses.There are lots of hospitals, and when I was moving (away from the LA area), I found a book in the library with info about the different hospitals, so I looked for the facility that had the area of nursing that I wanted. Next, I made phone calls, to any place that looked interesting. Then I talked to Human Resources, and to the dept that interested me. I told them I would be in the area, and asked to see the place, and meet the dept head.
I am sure that you can now find this info online, also Allnurses has salary info. It doesn't hurt to ask HR, even if you haven't had an interview. Our new grads start at $27 per hour plus diffs, and I live in Central California.
Good luck in your job hunt!

I am in California, bay area now. I got my CA license in Jan.

I have been to LA many times... I have some friends live in LA subareas, and my ex-bf lives in downtown LA, so I am kind of familiar with the traffic there.

I think it's a good idea to call hospitals. I will definitely try that later.

Thank you very much for your suggestions.

Mino · Jan 25, 2005

You said that you have your licence, but do you have a California licence? That's the first thing to do, if you are planning on moving. That can take 2-3 months, if you are out of state.
Next suggestion, get a good map. If you move to LA, it's a big city, and not always easy to get around. It takes time learning to drive in 6 lanes of traffic, with the speed going from 70 mph to zero. There is public transportion, but that doesn't always work for nurses.There are lots of hospitals, and when I was moving (away from the LA area), I found a book in the library with info about the different hospitals, so I looked for the facility that had the area of nursing that I wanted. Next, I made phone calls, to any place that looked interesting. Then I talked to Human Resources, and to the dept that interested me. I told them I would be in the area, and asked to see the place, and meet the dept head.
I am sure that you can now find this info online, also Allnurses has salary info. It doesn't hurt to ask HR, even if you haven't had an interview. Our new grads start at $27 per hour plus diffs, and I live in Central California.
Good luck in your job hunt!

I am in California, bay area now. I got my CA license in Jan.

I have been to LA many times... I have some friends live in LA subareas, and my ex-bf lives in downtown LA, so I am kind of familiar with the traffic there.

I think it's a good idea to call hospitals. I will definitely try that later.

Thank you very much for your suggestions.

Mino · Jan 25, 2005

Some states have reciprocity, meaning that they recognize each others' licenses as good enough to issue you one of their own. Others have reciprocity by endorsement, which means you still have to give them proof of your educational background, but you can be licensed there without much hassle. And in some states, you can walk into the BON or BNE or BORN (or whatever they are calling it), with your license (and your transcripts just in case), and walk out with your license a few hours later.
As to finding work, recruiters will rarely work with someone who has no experience, and hospitals might not pay for someone they are going to have to train. (Yes, they will, and you want that.) Go straight to the hospitals! Telephone, email, snail mail, apply online.
Plenty of nurse shortage out there, and not all of California is LA or San Diego or San Francisco.... some of it is smaller towns and less congestion and (don't know what you are used to) perhaps more like what you have experienced in other parts of the world.
Good luck to you!

I am out of nursing for years... Just got my CA license. To be honest, I am a little bit worried about being a nurse... ha...

I just think that big cities, like LA will need more people who are bilingual than those smaller towns/cities do. And my friends keep telling me there are more openings in LA area since it's larger than bay area. Besides, living expense is less expensive compared to it is in bay area.

I will definitely try to go straight to the hospitals. call them, email them, and I already applied online, but got no responses... that's why I worried.

Thank you very much for your suggestion.

Mino · Jan 25, 2005

Some states have reciprocity, meaning that they recognize each others' licenses as good enough to issue you one of their own. Others have reciprocity by endorsement, which means you still have to give them proof of your educational background, but you can be licensed there without much hassle. And in some states, you can walk into the BON or BNE or BORN (or whatever they are calling it), with your license (and your transcripts just in case), and walk out with your license a few hours later.
As to finding work, recruiters will rarely work with someone who has no experience, and hospitals might not pay for someone they are going to have to train. (Yes, they will, and you want that.) Go straight to the hospitals! Telephone, email, snail mail, apply online.
Plenty of nurse shortage out there, and not all of California is LA or San Diego or San Francisco.... some of it is smaller towns and less congestion and (don't know what you are used to) perhaps more like what you have experienced in other parts of the world.
Good luck to you!

I am out of nursing for years... Just got my CA license. To be honest, I am a little bit worried about being a nurse... ha...

I just think that big cities, like LA will need more people who are bilingual than those smaller towns/cities do. And my friends keep telling me there are more openings in LA area since it's larger than bay area. Besides, living expense is less expensive compared to it is in bay area.

I will definitely try to go straight to the hospitals. call them, email them, and I already applied online, but got no responses... that's why I worried.

Thank you very much for your suggestion.

carvanaragon · Jan 25, 2005

try riverside community hospital, a lot of available positions there.

carvanaragon · Jan 25, 2005

try riverside community hospital, a lot of available positions there.