LA's out, what about San Jose????

hopefully · Mar 25, 2004

Alright, I am 90% sure I won't take the job in Inglewood thanks to you allnurses people... (yes, the money is still tempting me, I am only human people!). So, what about San Jose. I have heard HCA is hiring a ton of people, but what's the city like? Good place to live? Salaries somewhere in line with cost of living?

Hi. I went to school in San Jose last year. I live near San Francisco which is 50 miles away. How is San Jose like? Well it is not crowded like a city and it's very big. It reminds me of a big suburb in a city. It has a very diverse population. The cities around San Jose is not as diverse as San Jose.

Rep · Mar 25, 2004

Hi. I went to school in San Jose last year. I live near San Francisco which is 50 miles away. How is San Jose like? Well it is not crowded like a city and it's very big. It reminds me of a big suburb in a city. It has a very diverse population. The cities around San Jose is not as diverse as San Jose.

Hi, Hopefully,

May I ask what is the starting rate in San Jose for an RN with no clinical experience?

Thanks.

fergus51 · Mar 25, 2004

Anyone else? Anyone?

pickledpepperRN · Mar 26, 2004

Is it Good Samaritan HCA?

I am told and have read that the nurses keep the staffing and quality high.

The NICU and adult critical care areas are excellent, I am told.

Some difficulty staffing med/surg by acuity.

San Jose is an easy drive to Monterey, San Francisco, and many beautiful places.

There is an Amtrak station, access to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and an international airport deemed the lowest fares in the country.

fergus51 · Mar 26, 2004

I am also looking at Long Beach and San Fran.... I want to live somewhere warm....

pickledpepperRN · Mar 26, 2004

Long Beach Memorial has the Miller Childrens Hospital. Fine nurses and they are very strong. They set an example for us all in patient advocacy. With diligence and assertiveness they call "elegant militancy" the always polite nurses keep good staffing.

I think their pay is very good too. Based on years of experience as an RN they give 50% credit for RN work outside the US. Paid education and other $$$ advantages are guaranteed.

St. Mary's is smaller. The NICU has less acutely ill babies but excellent care. Long term nurses who will mostly be welcoming. Post partum/couplet care has fine experienced LVNs. The RNs want them but when they leave do NOT want new grad inexperienced LVNs replacing them. They know the abilities and competency of the LVNs who are also their long time friends.

Nice beaches, a new aquarium, the Queen Mary, warm summers, and mild winters.

Less than an hour to Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, a couple hours from the mountains, Mexico, and close to San Diego and Los Angeles.

Metro rail for transportation. A few sections have high crime.

The port of Los Angeles with fresh seafood and weekly farmers markets too.

fergus51 · Mar 26, 2004

I'm supposed to interview for Miller's sometime soon, and was impressed with everything I saw on their website. 50% credit for nursing work outside the US? Well, that's a bit of BS for me, now isn't it? I'll have to ask about that.... I am more concerned about a nice workplace than the money (thus my no on Centinela), but I don't see why my experience in Canada is worth less than that in Washington. That's not the best way to recruit people. I did see they were a non-profit and are expanding a lot in the next few years which I like....

Also looked into the women's hospital for L&D.

pickledpepperRN · Mar 26, 2004

I called a friend and asked about the years of qualifying experience.

I WAS WRONG!

The contract language is, "Years of RN licensure is defined as the years in which an RN kept his/her license current either in the U.S. or abroad."

She said the pay is excellent and much higher than nearby Orange County.

It is my hospital that pays 1/2 for LVN and/or non US experience. Shows that all CNA contracts are different.

The nurses I know who work there really like it.

My son and daughter in law graduated from Cal State Long Beach "GO BEACH!" They enjoyed living there.

If you choose to accept the position read the contract carefully.

fergus51 · Mar 26, 2004

Thank you soooooo much! I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out here. I am very interested in Long Beach and will be talking to them today. I was looking for a teaching hospital with a union that was non-profit and family centred. Seems like LB fits the bill!

allnurses Guide · Mar 26, 2004

San Jose is only 5 hours away from me! :)

San Francisco is lovely but it gets cold there.

Long Beach is warmer. I went to the University of Long Beach way back in the 80's. Worked on the Queen Mary. Not the prettiest of towns but nearby to pretty stuff.

Wow Fergus, exciting stuff . . :)

steph

fergus51 · Mar 26, 2004

I think I am moving to Long Beach. I did the interview and there was nothing bad.... I might be a California girl in a few weeks.... Bizarre.