Are there really RN Jobs in Southern California?

ERnewbieRN, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2009

I live in LA county... as far as I know there are nursing jobs in the area, but I'm really not sure about new grad programs. I'd check with large teaching facilities such as LAC-USC or Harbor UCLA. Those are the hospitals that tend to have well-structured new grad programs, in contrast with the smaller community hospitals which tend to recruit experienced nurses. So call up some larger facilities and see what they say when you inquire about new grad positions. Good luck!

QT3.14RNinCA · Apr 13, 2009

Hi Pamela,

I went through a similar program -- I had a degree in another field before becoming an RN. I love being an RN. I had no trouble getting my first job in a specialty field, in a reputable hospital. I had several job offers even before I took my NCLEX exam. In fact, the hospital I eventually went to work for paid for my NCLEX review class. I was given a great sign on package complete with a bonus without having to sign a contract. Since then I've never had trouble finding other RN jobs. I'm not sure what it's like in non-hospital settings but a lot of hospitals are hiring here in So Cal. Experience does count for some hospitals but there are others who prefer to hire new grads.

Pay attention to the hospitals you visit during your clinicals to see what you like/don't like. Go to Career Fairs as you get closer to finishing your RN program. Your school should also help you with some suggestions for landing your first RN job.

Good luck! :twocents:

nminodob · Apr 13, 2009

I graduated from USF (San Francisco) in December '08, so I can only speak to the situation here - I waited almost 4 months for a job, and was considering leaving the area before I got one, just this month. The economic climate being as dreadful as it is, it seems that new grad training programs were the hardest hit.

We had a small graduating class of about 50 BSN students, and I know that only about 20 have found work by now. So there is really no nursing shortage in this area. Some of the students were saying they were thinking of moving to SoCal because there were jobs there. I do know one thing: if you decide to choose nursing, be particular about where your last clinical placement is. For example, I was not even considered for open positions in the ED and ICU because I had not done my senior preceptorship there - I had been in a stepdown/tele unit (where I eventually got hired). Strangely, even though the positions on general med-surg units were scarce, several students walked right into specialty area jobs like the ICU and ED merely because they had been precepted there (and, of course, they must have done a fabulous job in their clinicals). Another thing I have seen is that only one student got a job in PEDS, only one in psych, and none in L&D - so those areas are especially hard to get into.

In the end, it appears that nursing is a bit harder to break into as a new grad than in previous years, and it will help if you have some support system or savings in the event that you don't immediately land a job. But I believe it is still a desirable profession and you will be sought after and pretty assured of employment once you get that first year under your belt. Good luck.

sosiouxme · Apr 13, 2009

Even though there is a "nursing shortage," it's theoretical only. It doesn't mean that hospitals are hiring. A fourth semester student at my school just applied to UCLA and said that there were over 60 applicants for one job. It also depends on what kind of unit you want to work: if you're willing to take Mental Health, you'll have no problem; if you hold out for Intensive Care spots (especially PICU's), good luck!

hyacinthe_73 · Apr 13, 2009

Go to Cedars-Sinai. They hire about 100 (more or less) new grads a year. I just started in their new grad residency program. It's great so far!

Pachinko · Apr 13, 2009

I'm a full time RN in LA. Yes, it seems like there is a dearth of job openings right now, at least for permanent full-time positions, and especially for new grads. A lot of agency and per diem nurses are seeking the stability of benefitted, full-time work, so they're filling up the ranks in the hospitals. There is one hospital near me that has a reputation for being chronically understaffed, and even it is at capacity now. Agency nurses I know are having to travel further out of the city in order to work regularly. I know that county in downtown isn't even hiring full-time nurses right now. I recently got a per diem position without a problem, but that requires experience.

When I initially came out here in mid-2006 (as a new grad from an accelerated, second degree BSN program), I interviewed for a total of 8 positions in 3 hospitals--USC, UCLA and Cedars--and was offered every one of them. That new grads are having a hard time now is mind-blowing to me. Note that I did apply for med-surg and tele positions, not ICU. ICU seems particularly competitive for new grads. I now work in an ICU, and the new grads who started here told me that getting their jobs was mildly competitive but depended a lot on their applying early. First come, first served, provided that the director liked you. They also all have BSNs. Your BSN, plus your prior experience in the job market, plus being a bit more seasoned than other applicants, will work in your favor :)

While the job market is very unpredictable, I would be very surprised if you were absolutely unable to land any kind of job out here when you graduate. The market will (hopefully) be looser by then. Also, a lot of new grads, especially those from out of state, target the big-name hospitals because they're more familiar. In addition to applying to the biggie hospitals, you can apply at some of the smaller ones as well--LA is a huge city with many areas and hospitals all over the place, from tiny community ones to huge level 1 trauma centers. I'd recommend that you start applying early and get your interviews done early in order to secure a position. I really think that you will get something, you just may have to work harder to get it. Once you're experienced, you can move wherever you want with more ease.

Good luck! You can PM me with questions if you like.

star77, MSN, RN · Apr 13, 2009

I'm in San Francisco just finishing my RN year of my MEPN year at UCSF, and I was offered employment at UCLA. I think you have to be on top of your resume, outgoing and friendly, and willing to be flexible. Moving south is just fine for me- I don't have kids, and I have family down yonder, plus I got a job in emergency (which is why I went to nursing school in the first place!).

I started looking for jobs in October. I stumbled across UCLA's application in February, and within 4 hours of filling out the app, I had an interview. It was the first app I truly pursued, and I feel extraordinarily lucky. That being said, I also worked very hard to keep my application materials ready and organized throughout this year.

I have also followed up on every lead up here, only to be told that new grad programs aren't happening up in SF (which is true, for the most part).

Even applications to Modesto were turned down.

I know that there are other hospitals in SoCal hiring- so just be flexible and look around, and look early. I think UCLA hires again in July for February, but that's something to double-check with them.

In any case, best of luck. SoCal is in a much better situation than the SFBay.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2009

If you're thinking about UCLA's next program, they actually don't interview until October/November for the February start.

babysaverRN · Apr 17, 2009

hello onesmartgirl...i wouldn't let the current economy dissuade you from pursuing a career in nursing if it's something you're truly passionate about. i'm about to gradate from nursing school and i couldn't be more happy with my decision to do so. though the economy has taken it's toll on the field of nursing, for new grads in particular, i'm pretty sure the economy will be in a much better state by the time you graduate in two years. i was fortunate enough to land one of the very few new grad positions at a great teaching facility hospital in LA because i got to know the recruiter, kept on top of things, and interviewed early. so even though new grad positions are scarce, there are still some out there. anyhow, if nursing is what you truly want to do, don't let the economy stop you.

TuTonka · Apr 17, 2009

I am in Southern California and jobs...real jobs are few and far between. However there are many jobs listed in other parts of the country if you are willing to relocate. As Far as new grad programs not many around and fill up with people the hiring managers know. How do you do that? Well, you can go to the facility you are interested in and ... if your are smart bypass the recruiters and go straight to the floor and ask to speak with the floor manager.

It is a good place to start to see if you really want to work there. You might want to just observe the floor and how it runs then if you find it a positive day approach the manager and explain what you are interested in. She/He will at least see you and that may help when the program occurs. Good-Luck

TuTonka

hemeonc girl · Apr 24, 2009

If you guys are interested in working at UCLA, the Peds and PICU depts hire new grads every Aug/Sept and Jan/Feb. Depending on the current staffing, it depends on how many new grads are hired. When I applied for the August start date a few years ago I had applied and interviewed in February while I was in school and I was offered the job on the spot. Of course, they hired a larger group of new grads back in 2006 when I started. Just beware that these depts are high acuity and high stress so you need to have a strong mindset to survive here. Worth the experience you get at UCLA though. Great learning environment :)