Applying for out of state job as new grad?

Sour Lemon · Dec 11, 2018

Hello everyone! I have two more semesters left of my ASN program and I am expected to graduate on July 24th, 2019. I currently go to school in Louisiana, but would ideally like to find a job in Southern California. I am just now starting to look for jobs while I am on break from school. Is it too early or no?! Also, when I go to take my NCLEX is better to just select my state as California or should I get my Louisiana license first and endorse it in the state of California. I've heard the CBN takes a long time to do things so that why I was wondering.
My biggest concern is that I won't be able to find employment in a timely manner and that I'll be stuck in Louisiana after desperately wanting to leave for so long. I also have a bachelors in biology and I have been a patient care technician for 9 months in an ER where we do phlebotomy, vitals, EKGs, foley insertion, and a host of other things. I am hoping that this will give me a leg up in the job market. Anyways, any advice you could give to me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!

Southern California is a tough market for new graduates. I would suggest that you get a year or two of experience before morning here ...especially without a BSN. Tech experience is great if you're looking for a tech job, but it doesn't seem to weigh very heavily when seeking nursing employment.

Since the California BON takes about three months to issue a license under perfect circumstances, employers usually want a license in hand before they'll deal with you.

There are exceptions to everything, of course. I hope you'll get very lucky.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 12, 2018

most of the So Cal jobs require a BSN and 1-2 years experience as Sour Lemon stated. It doesn't mean you can't do it, just probably unlikely. Try getting the BSN and some experience first. It will open many doors. good luck!

kaynochlo · Dec 13, 2018

I just graduated from a ADN program in CA and passed my NCLEX 11/15/18. I have 3 years experience as an LVN/LPN, 2 of which have been in SNF. I'm moving out of state because it's so hard to find a new grad RN hospital job with just an associates. I was able to find a hospital job in PA at one of the top hospitals, so I'm in the process of getting my license transferred over. It seems they're hiring a lot of new grad RNs, so if CA doesn't work out for you then PA is also an option.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 14, 2018

Not sure why your heart is set on southern California but I don't think you could have chosen a more competitive job market if you tried. I don't live in California but all anecdotal evidence points to it being a difficult job market, especially for new grads and even more so for new grads without a BSN at minimum. I'm certainly not saying your decision to move there after school is a bad one, just be aware that it probably won't be an easy one. Be prepared to look into other options first and then move there after you gain a little experience. If your heart is still set on California maybe you could be a bit more flexible and consider northern California for at least a year or two, I hear the job market is much friendlier to new grads in the northern parts of the state. No matter what you decide to do after graduation plan ahead before you leave Louisiana. Moving across country is risky unless you already have a job in hand before you leave or enough of a financial cushion to support yourself for at least a few months while looking for work.