Looking for a job in CA

[mreznik1]

Hi everyone,

My background:

I graduated July,2014 with my ADN. I am trilingual -- Russian, Chinese, English, (a male if that matters), have several years of long-term caregiver/CNA experience, have a bachelor's in finance, and attended/graduated EMT school.

I moved back to CA from FL (already licensed there) mid September 2014 and immediately put in my license for transfer to CA. I have been on the hunt for an acute care position for 3 weeks both in the Bay Area and LA -- I have sent out applications, spoke in person and over the phone to nurse managers/recruiters (most of whom shoo me away and tell me to apply online). I was told by the CA board I would receive my license no earlier than December 2014.

I am hearing that there are hundred of applicants per position, and I don't feel it's likely to find a job within 6 months.

My question(s):

-Is there a point in applying without my CA license on hand, as I am competing with hundreds of new grads?

-Will a volunteer position in a hospital likely lead to a job there?

-How soon should I consider applying to a SNF (my personal nightmare) or correctional facility if I don't find an acute care position?

-Is there anything else considered acute care I could realistically land outside of a hospital?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

To flyers fan 88, I'm going to find a job in CA period. Moving out of state is by no means an option.

To Spidey's Mom, That's incredibly helpful thank you! Are there any rural areas within 2 hours of SF or LA that you would recommend? Lower pay, especially in the first year, is by no means a deterrent as long as I can get acute care experience.

Well, I can't search for you right now but St. Joseph Health has hospitals in Napa, Mission Viejo, Orange, Apple Valley.

Dignity Health West (formerly Catholic Healthcare West) has a bazillion (slight exaggeration) hospitals. Here in my neck of the woods it would be Red Bluff and Redding.

Chico, CA has a great hospital called Enloe. This is a college town.

The BSN may be on hold for now, but I expect to work long and hard for my first job, I knew before starting nursing school that no job was going to fall into my lap.

I think rural hospitals are still taking ADN's without any problem.

[mreznik1]

so helpful, thank you! I'm going to save all this info and continue my research.

Right after I read your post, I looked at a map of rural areas immediately surrounding SF and LA and called a few hospitals. Most didn't comment on whether it's easier to get into there hospitals vs urban areas, except for 1 who told me it was still difficult in rural, however I can't imagine they would have anywhere near the applicants of urban areas.