Any advice on getting hired in CA before graduation?

[ADSNalmostgrad]

Hello, I am about to start my fourth semester in my ADSN program, and am currently living in the SoCal desert. I am moving up to the bay area once I am done because my fiancee has a job there. I was wondering if there were any tips anyone could give me as to how I can contact a nurse recruiter or get hired out of school? I am constantly checking who is hiring, but it seems like most places want a year of experience. I also have been told that if I decided to work in geriatrics or do psych nursing that it would not count as experience to get me into a hospital. Any thoughts on this? I am planning on doing the BSN program and then my Master's but I wanted to get my foot in the door as a new grad RN . . .

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

You're probably not going to like the advice.....

The bay area has had too many nurses for a long time. Why? Because it pays the highest wages in the entire united states (though cost of living is equally high).

I completed my RN program in the bay area, it was an LVN to RN program. Most of these LVN's had 10+ years experience, many worked in hospitals. 2 of them got a job where they worked after graduation.

another 5 got jobs in long term care, clinics, a prison, etc.

Most of them are STILL looking for jobs.

One relocated to Nevada, another relocated to Bakersfield, works weekends and then goes home during the week to her family. She had the second highest GPA in our class, as well as 10 years experience in med-surg hospital.

I don't want to discourage you, but definitely do not move up there without a job. You would not be the first to move there, not find a job, and then have to move again, flat broke.

I wish you luck.

BTW, not sure what part of the desert you live in, I'm in the Inland Empire, and the job market is getting horrible here too. My hospital is currently in a freeze, and may be laying off soon.

I would begin job hunting early, get a patient tech job of some sort if you have no experience. If you have connections, start working on them early. Get ACLS if you want a ICU job, med-surg wouldn't normally require it.

This is going to be a rough year for new grads, just like last year was unfortunately.

Good luck to you.