Acute care RN moving back to San Jose in 2015, help!

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Hi all! New girl here :) I graduated from an ADN prgram 2 1/5 years ago, prior to that worked as an LPN briefly. I have been employed at a Level III Trauma hospital for 2 years doing acute patient care. I currently work on a post surgical floor which at times feels like a surgical ICU, we also take medical pts all the time as our medical floor fills up fast.

I am from the Bay Area, grew up in Sunnyvale and San Jose and lived there for 27 years until we moved to KS in 2005. Prior to moving I worked at doctors offices as a Medical Assistant having graduated from Silicon Valley College with an Associates degree. In KS I have worked as a Medical Assistant, then went back to school to become a CNA, then a CMA, an LPN all three at a nursing home and here I am today an RN. I am hoping all of this background makes me more marketable but I'm not convinced.

I am currently toying with the idea of getting my BSN and could do so through a state university here in KS which has a complete online course. I think this will look better to employers and this is one of my questions, will this make me a better candidate? Also what does CA think of University of Phoenix grads? My hospital has a program with them in which they will help with tuition, but I worry that UoP may be looked down upon.

I've looked at Bay Area hospitals from San Jose area up to Oakland and the east bay and from what I have seen most job are some sort of ICU so after 6-12 months more experience on my floor I am considering a move to our ICU. I am taking ACLS next week and TNCC next month.

I know I have 2 years before this happens but I need to get all my ducks in a row, I am planning on renting the house my parents own in SJ and need a job before I move in they will not allow me to live there rent free.

I'm wondering how I can make myself known to future employers now being so far away.

Should I work my way in as a travel nurse first?

How much stock does CA board of nursing take in nursing school grades? I graduated with a low B average from an accelerated school.

thanks to anyone who replies, I appreciate your input!!

Lisa

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Area is saturated wirh new grads. Get you experience there then cci me naxk to bay area.

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I know it's saturated and I'm not a new grad, nor will I be one when I get there. I'm asking about what steps I can start taking now to be a good candidate when I get there.

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While you're there getting your icu experience try to get your ccrn before making a move, it'll help greatly. Your bsn as well. Other than that you're an experienced nurse so it's just luck of the draw and connections afterward.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
How much stock does CA board of nursing take in nursing school grades? I graduated with a low B average from an accelerated school.

They couldn't care less about your grades as long as you passed.

And when it comes to licensing you, they're going to focus on where you got your ADN, as that's the education you used to take the NCLEX.

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Thanks! Good to know, the state asking for transcript kind of made me wonder. I know it's to make sure the required classes are there, but then I wondered what else they may be looking for.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Thanks! Good to know, the state asking for transcript kind of made me wonder. I know it's to make sure the required classes are there, but then I wondered what else they may be looking for.

Because the CA BRN wants to make sure that the program you've graduated from and which made you eligible for licensure meets their educational requirements. They're pretty strict about those requirements, as many frustrated foreign graduates as well as Excelsior grads will tell you :/

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