I am in my final year of prerequisites for entry into an Accelerated BSN program here in LA. I have my BS and MFA in unrelated fields, have lots of management and even previous medical experience, and long for a commitment to nursing through a BSN and, hopefully a masters in nursing down the road. Here is my concern, from some of the forums here I get the idea there really are very few RN jobs--that the shortage is a bit of a myth propagated because nursing home jobs go wanting for the crappy circumstances they provide us. I need some feedback. I am going into considerable debt, dedicating my life to the career change, but if I am going to finish in 2 years (one more year of prereqs and on in the accelerated program itself), only to come out and find no work, I need to reconsider now. Some of your posts say there are lots of openings for OT and PT but not RNs. There are no locations on the posts, so maybe that is another part of the country. I don't see many jobs listed around here in the LA County area, but may not be looking in the right place. Anyone out there in LA County who can enlighten me? Are there RN jobs for new program graduates? Is there another, related field where the jobs are going begging? Help!
Part of the reason no one is hiring, besides the obvious recession so everyone in every industry is cutting back (and that is certainly true of healthcare), is that everyone wants to live out here. There is more competition because there are more professionals wanting to live in paradise than in some other, perhaps less desirable, areas of the country.
I must say this is sad news. I was an LVN for 7 years, then became an RN in 6/2008. I have only been in GI. My registry filed bankruptcy in April of this year. I cannot find work anywhere in Orange County nor Los Angeles. I'm "active" with two registries now. They have no work as yet for me. I have excellent references and reviews. This evidently does not help me. I have $400.00 to my name and I'm losing my home I've owned for 16 years. Never would I have imagined being in a situation like this. I'm requesting prayers from all of you, and I will do the same.
Thank you for letting me know this. I have been so busy looking for work, I haven't had time. I will try to get more involved. Thank you for trying to contact me. Robbie
I am so sorry to hear this. Of course, we will pray for you. Have you considered looking outside the area? With your experience, there may be jobs away from here. Much luck to you.
I must say this is sad news. I was an LVN for 7 years, then became an RN in 6/2008. I have only been in GI. My registry filed bankruptcy in April of this year. I cannot find work anywhere in Orange County nor Los Angeles. I'm "active" with two registries now. They have no work as yet for me. I have excellent references and reviews. This evidently does not help me. I have $400.00 to my name and I'm losing my home I've owned for 16 years. Never would I have imagined being in a situation like this. I'm requesting prayers from all of you, and I will do the same.
Thats weird because I live in odessa tx and plan on moving to Victorville California and have been looking at jobs there and there are plenty there are prob over 50 + there and the surronding areas such as LA as well....some didnt really ask for experience just that you knew how to the required objectives on each floor ie; read fetal heart monitors on a L&d floor have some ED dept experience...but there were many med surg openings that didnt call for yrs of experience so I dont really see what the deal is on how you guys especially the ones with BSNs are having problems is.....here in my hometown the hospitals love new grads they pay them bank! and we have such a shortage they even have a flex pool they pay 40/ an hr guess you could always move here ! I only have my associates degree I graduate this winter I had worked as CNA since I was 16 (legal age to do so in TX) and when I graduate I will be working at the hospital while we pay off the car and save up to move when we get settled in Cali I will go back online for my BSN...Do you think It will hurt my chances of getting hired none of the offers I saw called for a BSN and from what I hear most dont have their BSN unless their in leader positions... keep looking their are jobs out there they are looking....
Have you got a guaranteed job offer in California? If not, I assure you that it's harder than it appears to be, every opening has many applicants. There are no jobs for new nurses, when they have the choice between a new nurse and a nurse with years of experience that they can train in a day or two, it's economical to hire the experienced nurse.
Here's a posting on craigslist of a desperate new grad in this area:
Victorville may be hiring, but that's a rural area and most nurses who go to work there make 28/hr or so. And it's definitely not what you would think most of California would look like.
Not to discourage anyone further, but it is my understanding that ads are often required even if the nursing supervisor has someone in mind. It has to do with the perception of fairness--just hiring people you know can be sticky, politically, so the ads run and some interviews are given. I am sure if a stellar applicant came along, they might have a shot, but mostly people hire those they have some relationship with (or personal recommendation for) just like any other business. I am fully prepared to leave So Cal when I finish my MSN, if I can't get a new grad position, or a job. The more desirable the place, the fewer the jobs. It is just logical--everyone wants to live here. I would certainly not move here just because there are ads, unless your income is ancillary to the support of the family.
28/hr starting as a new grad is decent you have to start somewhere..but when I get there I will not be a new grad anyhow...texas is needing new grads move here......you have to be willing to work your way up....if you have an MSN they are also hiring at the federal prisons as well....we have talked about this and yes if for some reason i cant find a job we will search elsewhere we will be going there debtfree and with an emergency fund I will go where I can get a job....
26.2, BSN
81 Posts
There is so many hospitals out there I dont understand why they are not hiring