Cali lvn wants to move to Arizona worth it?

ackbar · Apr 21, 2014

I have lived in Phoenix area for 25 years and I am ready to leave. The summer heat is unbearable. Plus, it lasts for 6-7 months. I am a new grad RN and am finding it difficult to find my first job. The jobs seem fairly plentiful but experience is usually required. Any new grad RN positions that become available receive hundreds of applicants. I was speaking to one recruiter and she said when they open their new grad program they get at least 500 applications. The traffic is not so great here either. I know it is not as bad as LA, but it continues to get worse by the year. Yes, housing is a much better deal here and cost of living is a little better, but not by much.

Girlafraid13 · Apr 22, 2014

I have lived in Phoenix area for 25 years and I am ready to leave. The summer heat is unbearable. Plus, it lasts for 6-7 months. I am a new grad RN and am finding it difficult to find my first job. The jobs seem fairly plentiful but experience is usually required. Any new grad RN positions that become available receive hundreds of applicants. I was speaking to one recruiter and she said when they open their new grad program they get at least 500 applications. The traffic is not so great here either. I know it is not as bad as LA, but it continues to get worse by the year. Yes, housing is a much better deal here and cost of living is a little better, but not by much.

Thanks for your reply. I really can't stand the heat here in California so I probably wouldn't enjoy 6-7 months of it.

calikristi91 · Jul 12, 2014

I am tired of California as well. Too many people, people are generally rude or grimy (at least in my area) and the job market is tough. Where did you go to school, Girlafraid13? How are you liking home health? I have home health experience as well but only because I couldn't find a job in LTC/SNFs or hospitals. Pay isn't bad, but I would love to work in a hospital!

excited1 · Jul 12, 2014

I am from Arizona. I currently have lived in CA for 5 years. I am SO TIRED of CA. Overpopulated, cost of living is ridiculous, and the traffic, dont even get me started.

I left AZ because i had a job oppty here in CA. I am planning on finishing nursing school here, and then moving to a less populated, less expensive state. Once i am able to start making good money as an RN, i refuse to spend 60% of my income on rent. Lol.

Other than the heat in Phoenix, i say go for it! Good luck!

Girlafraid13 · Jul 12, 2014

I am tired of California as well. Too many people, people are generally rude or grimy (at least in my area) and the job market is tough. Where did you go to school, Girlafraid13? How are you liking home health? I have home health experience as well but only because I couldn't find a job in LTC/SNFs or hospitals. Pay isn't bad, but I would love to work in a hospital!

I went to a private school in Anaheim it's called Bethesda. I'm so tired of my area also I would like to try to move out of state just to try it out maybe not permanent. I like home health but I think it's time to move forward. I don't think I can handle another year of no coworkers. I would love to work in a hospital too.

Girlafraid13 · Jul 12, 2014

I am from Arizona. I currently have lived in CA for 5 years. I am SO TIRED of CA. Overpopulated, cost of living is ridiculous, and the traffic, dont even get me started.
I left AZ because i had a job oppty here in CA. I am planning on finishing nursing school here, and then moving to a less populated, less expensive state. Once i am able to start making good money as an RN, i refuse to spend 60% of my income on rent. Lol.
Other than the heat in Phoenix, i say go for it! Good luck!

Thanks for the input. I guess the smartest thing to do is to get education done in Cali since you can practice in more places so I've heard. Everyone I have spoken with regarding the California to Arizona move loves the Arizona life minus the heat. A friend of mine was able to get a 4 bedroom house with a pool for the same cost of a 1 bedroom apt here. Ridiculous.

calikristi91 · Jul 12, 2014

Yeah, no kidding. Home health gets really lonely, real fast. Especially when your patient has a bad time one night and you're the only one there. I've never heard of Bethesda, how was that school? I went to Concorde and it was nice but super expensive. I will say that a lot of my fellow students in my cohort got jobs though, I would say 75% of us got hired within a few months of passing the NCLEX. Maybe try applying to the VA in LB? My friend works at one of their clinics and makes decent money.

Girlafraid13 · Jul 12, 2014

Yeah, no kidding. Home health gets really lonely, real fast. Especially when your patient has a bad time one night and you're the only one there. I've never heard of Bethesda, how was that school? I went to Concorde and it was nice but super expensive. I will say that a lot of my fellow students in my cohort got jobs though, I would say 75% of us got hired within a few months of passing the NCLEX. Maybe try applying to the VA in LB? My friend works at one of their clinics and makes decent money.

I been told to try the VA but haven't gotten around to it. They want your resume a certain way so I have to get on that. Bethesda was a bit of a headache it was fairly cheap considering it's a private school. That's awesome I graduated. Some of my classmates haven't been so lucky finding a job. I think only 3 of us out of 11 have jobs as Lvns. I been doing Hh for a year this month and have no idea how I did it. Are you going for ur RN?

calikristi91 · Jul 12, 2014

Yes, the VA is pretty finicky about their applicants. Concord was kind of a headache, too- lost paperwork, financial aid stressors, ugh. So glad it's over. 3 out of 11, ouch! Concord helped us with job placement, helped us find job leads, etc. I am currently on a few waiting lists and it's so depressing, on four different waiting lists to be exact. I looked into WCU for their LVN-BSN program, but it was way too much money at the time. I need to finish paying off some debt before I can incur some more, haha! What about you? My parents are so ****** at me for going for my LVN instead of my RN, but I'm glad I took this step- the LVN-RN programs aren't as impacted at community colleges as the straight ASN programs are, I'm hoping to apply to some this fall.

Girlafraid13 · Jul 12, 2014

Yes, the VA is pretty finicky about their applicants. Concord was kind of a headache, too- lost paperwork, financial aid stressors, ugh. So glad it's over. 3 out of 11, ouch! Concord helped us with job placement, helped us find job leads, etc. I am currently on a few waiting lists and it's so depressing, on four different waiting lists to be exact. I looked into WCU for their LVN-BSN program, but it was way too much money at the time. I need to finish paying off some debt before I can incur some more, haha! What about you? My parents are so ****** at me for going for my LVN instead of my RN, but I'm glad I took this step- the LVN-RN programs aren't as impacted at community colleges as the straight ASN programs are, I'm hoping to apply to some this fall.

Our school didn't help us at all with job placement like they promised. Oh no I advise you to steer clear of WCU. My friend needed to take 2 jobs to pay her 1700 a month loan. I know that pressure from parents but dad was so hesitant about the Lvn thing too. But it worked out. I'm doing my pre Reqs right now to get into cc I hear la trade tech isn't too bad to get into.

calikristi91 · Jul 13, 2014

Yes, WCU is scary. I have a friend who graduated from WCU and found a job as a peds RN at CHOC as a new grad, she said WCU has amazing connections- I say they'd better have amazing connections with the ticket price of their degree. I can understand people not wanting to wait on a wait list, but that's why I went for my LVN to start with. :yes: