California New Grad taking job out of state, what are my chances of getting back to CA?

[sunflow3rz]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated from a BSN program in May. I applied to hundred of jobs and had little luck. I ended up accepting a position into a new grad program at a hospital in Arizona. From what I've heard, it's a great place for new grads. I start next week but I moved out here by myself and am already missing home.

I would really like to get a job back in San Francisco or at least the Bay Area. I'm planning on applying back around the 8 month mark...

Has anyone moved out of state as a new grad and gotten hired back in the Bay Area? I feel like I jumped the gun on this one but I've seen several of my classmates who spent over a year and a half looking for their first job. I didn't want to wait so long that I wasn't considered a new grad anymore. I figured that in that time of constantly applying to jobs, they could have already gotten their experience and came back. I also didn't want to take a job at a SNF or outpatient setting even if it was in the Bay Area because I'm afraid that it would be too hard to get into the inpatient setting even after a year. So here I am!

Any insight/experiences would be greatly appreciated!!

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I still had kind of a hard time but not nearly as hard as when I was a new grad. Feel free to PM me if you would like to know about the hospital where I work. They hire a lot of new grads and RNs with minimal experience. =)

[sunflow3rz]

I still had kind of a hard time but not nearly as hard as when I was a new grad. Feel free to PM me if you would like to know about the hospital where I work. They hire a lot of new grads and RNs with minimal experience. =)

could you PM me? I can receive messages but can't start one because I haven't posted enough...lol

[amzyRN]

I moved out of state for 2 years and came back to Northern Cali. My very first job required a 1.5-year commitment. If a hospital is giving you a 3-month orientation, I think a good amount of time would be 1.5 to 2 years. But, at least 1 year, not 6 months. No one will hire you in the bay area with 6 months to 1 year unless you have connections. Most places want at least 2 to 3 years experience.

It was worth it for me to leave. I started in a SNF in California and decided to go out of state. I hated the SNF. I have been able to pay back my loans, I make good money and have a lot of stability. Go to Arizona and stay for 18 months. It won't be that bad and it will make you a better nurse. It will build character too.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Sounds like this is not the case in Massachusetts.

Never assume.

When I first graduated, many of the Boston area hospitals had hiring freezes- even the medical center where I was a tech. I was told "they might have something in a few months, you can stay on as a tech". Not happy with that! I moved to Washington DC for a new grad program and lived there for five years. I did miss home and eventually came back, but the experience in DC made getting jobs back home easy...

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I'd stay a few years for my own sake, but never for any employer's. If they want me to stay a few years for their sake, they need to entice me to do so.

Yeah, but if you're gone in six months you'll never know about any longevity enticements...

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

So...

absolutely no consideration for the hospital that hired the brand new nurse and invested the training/orientation resources? I understand the prevalent rationalization against showing any loyalty, i.e. "they'd fire you in a heartbeat", but barely starting work and already planning an early out strategy?

Doesn't sit right.

I'm getting to be kind of an anomaly as I've been with my employer over 20 years. But, only because I still don't hate the place and I wouldn't make enough money job hopping to offset the loss of accrued benefits.

I would never counsel any new nurse to give their employer any kind of loyalty now. Unless you are under a contract that requires you to stay there a certain length of time or pay back a benefit like moving expenses or a hefty sign on bonus if something better comes along don't hesitate to jump ship. I guarantee if the shoe were on the other foot the employer would have no qualms about throwing the nurse overboard.

[amzyRN]

I'm getting to be kind of an anomaly as I've been with my employer over 20 years. But, only because I still don't hate the place and I wouldn't make enough money job hopping to offset the loss of accrued benefits.

I would never counsel any new nurse to give their employer any kind of loyalty now. Unless you are under a contract that requires you to stay there a certain length of time or pay back a benefit like moving expenses or a hefty sign on bonus if something better comes along don't hesitate to jump ship. I guarantee if the shoe were on the other foot the employer would have no qualms about throwing the nurse overboard.

Yeah but a nurse isn't just working for the company per se. The people they work with, the population they serve, and one's own professional development benefit from more longevity. Unless there is a serious problem with the facility (I've worked at those-had no qualms about leaving after 6 months), it's better to stay at least 1.5-2 years. Why? Because the nurse will learn more. Also, the nurse may develop more connections that lead to more opportunities. The manager might be struggling to keep the department staffed, is not just an extension of the company CEO, and is willing to put money and effort to training.

If someone gives something to me, puts effort into developing my skills, I feel like I owe it to give back a time commitment. Then I will have paid back my debt. But if I'm walking into a pit or toxic work environment, that is a different matter.

My first nursing job was extremely supportive, coworkers were awesome, manager was very kind and inspired a sense of teamwork that I have not found at any other place I have worked. I also learned a ton of stuff that gave me a solid foundation. Had I left in 6 months, that would not be there.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Yeah but a nurse isn't just working for the company per se. The people they work with, the population they serve, and one's own professional development benefit from more longevity. Unless there is a serious problem with the facility (I've worked at those-had no qualms about leaving after 6 months), it's better to stay at least 1.5-2 years. Why? Because the nurse will learn more. Also, the nurse may develop more connections that lead to more opportunities. The manager might be struggling to keep the department staffed, is not just an extension of the company CEO, and is willing to put money and effort to training.

If someone gives something to me, puts effort into developing my skills, I feel like I owe it to give back a time commitment. Then I will have paid back my debt. But if I'm walking into a pit or toxic work environment, that is a different matter.

My first nursing job was extremely supportive, coworkers were awesome, manager was very kind and inspired a sense of teamwork that I have not found at any other place I have worked. I also learned a ton of stuff that gave me a solid foundation. Had I left in 6 months, that would not be there.

Preach!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I'm not planning an early out, I'm planning for my career. I actually interviewed at another regional medical center where the managers straight out said that they have a very high turnover rate because they KNOW that new grads are coming to these areas for experience and applying back in their home cities. It's very prevalent in California. It's not that new grads are unable to show loyalty, but that they want to work in their hometowns/cities, not hours and hours away from all family and friends. Sounds like this is not the case in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts would be the California of your scenario, not the Arizona. Are there people who leave because of the tight job market to gain experience and then look to move home? Sure. I worked with a girl who had to move to Texas to get acute care peds experience as a new grad and eventually she came home and got an acute care peds job in MA... but eventually was after a few years not a few months.

Then there are also people who move away for a job, intending to stay for only a year or two, and end up loving the place they've moved or meet the love of their life and decide to stay. As you get older, you will see that people scatter. Some of my friends live by where we grew up, some live by where they went to school, some live by where their spouse is from or went to school and some live somewhere different all together.

I would give it at least a year but probably 2. After 1 year you still don't really know what you're doing as a nurse. California is not horribly far from Arizona and Southwest has great deals in that part of the country all the time- I just put in some random dates and found $74 flights from PHX-SFO, for example. Same for SJC and $61 for OAK.

One of the great things about acute care if you work 12s is that if you cluster your days together, you can get a significant amount of time off without using any PTO. For example, you could work Mon, Tues, Wed one week and Wed, Thurs, Fri the next and have 6 days off in between. That would be a great time to pop home to Cali for a visit and then you have a great excuse if work calls on your day off and asks if you want to pick up extra. "Sorry, can't. I'm not in the state."

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Yeah but a nurse isn't just working for the company per se. The people they work with, the population they serve, and one's own professional development benefit from more longevity. Unless there is a serious problem with the facility (I've worked at those-had no qualms about leaving after 6 months), it's better to stay at least 1.5-2 years. Why? Because the nurse will learn more. Also, the nurse may develop more connections that lead to more opportunities. The manager might be struggling to keep the department staffed, is not just an extension of the company CEO, and is willing to put money and effort to training.

If someone gives something to me, puts effort into developing my skills, I feel like I owe it to give back a time commitment. Then I will have paid back my debt. But if I'm walking into a pit or toxic work environment, that is a different matter.

My first nursing job was extremely supportive, coworkers were awesome, manager was very kind and inspired a sense of teamwork that I have not found at any other place I have worked. I also learned a ton of stuff that gave me a solid foundation. Had I left in 6 months, that would not be there.

You make a fair argument as long as you like or at least can tolerate that job for one year or more. I still recommend leaving though before that year or two mark if a position becomes available that more closely fits with the nurses long term goals. For instance a job in a really tight market like the bay area or a position in a coveted specialty. No guarantee a similar position will be available in another year or two so you might as well jump at the opportunity while it's there.

[sunflow3rz]

I still recommend leaving though before that year or two mark if a position becomes available that more closely fits with the nurses long term goals.

This is what I meant. I obviously wouldn't leave without having an offer from somewhere else

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Here's the bright side: In a year you'll no longer be a new nurse and your odds in SF will be so much better.

You are disoriented now. It will pass. You've moved and started a new job - two of the highest stressors ever. But it will pass. Learn all you can. Don't think about six months from now - I promise that six months will fly by and you'll be more comfortable. Hang in there and good luck!