Looking for a job in CA

Nurses Job Hunt

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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?

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

ADN, new grad, and California(especially Bay Area) are not components that mix well.

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Seriously, I'm having a tough time and that's your response?

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
Seriously, I'm having a tough time and that's your response?

Do you think I am kidding?

Look at the million other threads in this section in regards to people from all over and in ESPECIALLY CA.

BSN new grads have problems getting a job in hospitals in CA, on top of that... they are magnet hospitals(which will not take ADNs unless you are very lucky. You are also a new grad which really doesnt help your situation.

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I asked a few very specific questions in the bottom of my post and your basic response was to tell me something that I already clearly know -- "it doesn't mix well." (I stated there are hundreds of applicants and it's not likely to find a job)

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

Ok well here are my answers to you specific questions.

no, no, now, You can try an LTAC

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

Moving to CA did you no favors. From what I've learned on here, none of what you're trying to do is likely going to work, especially without your BSN.

If I were you, I'd be looking to move again.

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Wait! You guys are forgetting rural California! We are hurting for nurses.

You won't make as much money as the "big city" nurses but you'll have a calmer lifestyle. And if you love the outdoors, there is kayaking, mountain climbing, snow and water skiing, hiking, biking . . . etc. No smog, hardly any traffic.

In a rural hospital, nurses usually end up doing a lot of things. I worked the acute floor first and then ended up trained for ER and OB. Also did some post-op, pre-op, worked as the baby nurse in cesareans, wound care.

Rural areas have a hard time attracting nurses and physicians due to a lower pay scale . . .but the other benefits can outweigh living in the city.

Try for rural hospital and remember that California goes all the way to the up to Oregon border and all the way down to Mexico. We are a big and diverse state. There are actually people living outside of Los Angeles and San Francisco!

Just a thought . . . . . if you are at all interested in rural nursing, don't worry about applying to a SNF or becoming a volunteer.

(P.S. You might get your license sooner . . . and I worked on a temporary license when I was first hired as a brand-new grad and going through orientation).

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Ok well here are my answers to you specific questions.

no, no, now, You can try an LTAC

That was more helpful, thank you for answering my questions

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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.

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

If moving hours away to a rural area of the state is an option, I'm not sure what the difference is, but whatever floats your boat. Just don't expect anything to come into your lap without a license/temp license or a BSN, that's all.

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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.

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