California Jobs for New Grads 2014

LoveMeSomeLDL · Jun 21, 2014

Theres really nowhere in cali where its "less competitive" for new grads... if this place did exist, we'd all go there too!! :/

RunBabyRN · Jun 22, 2014

Unfortunately, the Bay Area is one of the worst markets for nurses in the US, particularly new grads. Most jobs are obtained through connections.

I have seen a lot of SNF and HH jobs on Craisglist, and honestly, this may be the only way to get your foot in the nursing door, with the market the way it is. You'd have to commute pretty far from San Ramon to get somewhere rural enough to be desperate for nurses. I haven't applied for jobs out there, so I can't speak to the market in the Central Valley, but even from what I've seen here, it's not easy.

Nalexander · Jun 22, 2014

Thank you guys for getting back to me. Does anyone have any advice on what the market is like in rural cities? Is it better or just as difficult as bigger cities? Is there a difference between the northern and southern areas of California?

zzbxdo · Jun 24, 2014

Rural cities, even the larger ones in the central Valley will prefer graduates from local schools. Are you a new grad? If so, there is a higher concentration of new grad programs down south but... Saturated as is.

zzbxdo · Jun 24, 2014

Ideally research should have been done months and months in advance, not a few weeks prior to a move. You're gonna have to research hiring cycles of facilities with new grad programs.

Nienna Celebrindal · Jun 24, 2014

I actually am from Norcal, but was in lotto hell waiting to get into a program and moved when I got into one in Socal. From my research and talking to people, Socal is more receptive to new grads and foreign trained(my cohort had a few classes with a cohort of foreign trained students who needed to retake a few things) so I assume out of state would be good. From what I heard and saw living in the bay area larger cities seem to be more receptive to new grads. I live in Rural North Bay and most of the new nurses I knew commuted into San Francisco. In any case its hellish everywhere. It may be a bit better is certain pockets but its hardly anything.

ILUVFLRN · Jun 24, 2014

I relocated to the San Francisco Greater Bay Area from the east coast in September 2013 hoping to find employment as a new grad nurse (BSN). I am licensed in the State of Florida and immediately applied for my California license as well but was unsuccessful in procuring employment in the SF Bay area and its surrounding cities. The competition is fierce and hundreds of applicants apply to the handful of positions available. After 3 months of completing numerous applications for any RN position (I even tried walk-ins), I since have returned to my hometown and am currently in a preoperative training program. I suggest you apply for your CA license immediately (takes a while to process) and apply to all RN positions available. Good luck to you!

mommy_endeavor · Jun 26, 2014

Look in Modesto. A few of my classmates got in there. It's kinda far but possible.

Nalexander · Jun 26, 2014

Thank you so much for responding with something that is helpful and not completely negative. It's nice to know there is a little hope out there :) If you're on the hunt good luck to ya!

zzbxdo · Jun 27, 2014

Honestly, it's more crushing to be hopeful and coming up short months later vs expecting little and getting an offer. Hardships and struggle as a new grad here are real.

mommy_endeavor · Jun 27, 2014

Landing an acute care job is pretty challenging in the Bay Area, but if you're looking in the valley there are a tiny bit more options. However, I've seen no problem with my fellow classmates getting in at skilled nursing facilities etc.