Moving to California...

U.S.A. California

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Hi guys! I need your help. I'm in the ADN program right now and i'll be done soon. I am planning to move to California but i'm debating whether i should work in my current state for year and then move?

Is it really hard for ADN new grad to find a job there? Please give me some advice! I live in MA and I am DONE with snow and cold weather!

Well, it's 10 years out but I graduated into the breaking wave of the new-grad glut and I managed to stay in NorCal by getting a job at a little critical-access hospital. The pay sucked and the location left much to be desired but it did ultimately let me leap-frog down the interstate until I ended up with a good job.

Everyone wants to hook up with Kaiser or UC or Stanford or the like but there are other opportunities out there if you're willing to sacrifice.

I am willing to sacrifice! I honestly don't care which hospital or area i get a job as a new grad! I just wanna get my foot in the door lol. Btw, why are people so crazy about working at kaiser or UCLA?

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If the weather is truly one of your main concerns, there are literally dozens of other states you could move to with decent climates, better new grad nursing job markets, and a more affordable cost of living relative to nursing salary. You're seriously limiting yourself if you're only interested in arguably the most competitive nursing job market in the country.

As others have said, it isn't impossible, but you're better off waiting until you have some experience. I'd highly recommend that you do not move out to CA (or any other place, really) without a job in hand. I've told this story several times on AN, but it bears repeating. When I started as a new grad on the east coast, I knew several BSN new grads who had graduated nursing school in CA, applied unsuccessfully for new grad jobs for 6-9 months in CA, then moved to the east coast to get their first nursing job. The last thing you want is to move to CA without a job offer, be unemployed for several months, then be forced to move back. You'll also have a much easier time finding work if you're open to alternate healthcare settings, like LTCs and SNFs.

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If the weather is truly one of your main concerns, there are literally dozens of other states you could move to with decent climates, better new grad nursing job markets, and a more affordable cost of living relative to nursing salary. You're seriously limiting yourself if you're only interested in arguably the most competitive nursing job market in the country.

As others have said, it isn't impossible, but you're better off waiting until you have some experience. I'd highly recommend that you do not move out to CA (or any other place, really) without a job in hand. I've told this story several times on AN, but it bears repeating. When I started as a new grad on the east coast, I knew several BSN new grads who had graduated nursing school in CA, applied unsuccessfully for new grad jobs for 6-9 months in CA, then moved to the east coast to get their first nursing job. The last thing you want is to move to CA without a job offer, be unemployed for several months, then be forced to move back. You'll also have a much easier time finding work if you're open to alternate healthcare settings, like LTCs and SNFs.

I've lived in NC, Florida for few years. When I first visited California I just loved it! I know it's gonna sounds weird but It honestly felt like l was home. So i am willing to make any sacrifices. I'm willing to wait and get some experience first as well. As I mentioned on the previous post that I've been waiting to move for almost 10 years.

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i say get a job and stack up ur money. Im in the Bay area and its really expensive. IF you come this way you are going to spend about 1500- 2500 on a 1 bedroom apt and they usually want to see that you are making 3x the rent and the deposits out here are ridiculous lately ($3000-5000) other than that u have to find a room mate. The best way to go coming to CA is get a year of experience then do travel nursing cause they will pay for your housing cost and its tax free. good luck.

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i say get a job and stack up ur money. Im in the Bay area and its really expensive. IF you come this way you are going to spend about 1500- 2500 on a 1 bedroom apt and they usually want to see that you are making 3x the rent and the deposits out here are ridiculous lately ($3000-5000) other than that u have to find a room mate. The best way to go coming to CA is get a year of experience then do travel nursing cause they will pay for your housing cost and its tax free. good luck.

Yeah I was actually thinking about doing travel nursing... hopefully things work out for me.

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I'm going to give you contrary advice and say go for it. If you want to move, just do it, and sort everything out as it happens. If you wait, things can pop up in life that will postpone or prevent you from achieving your dream. You can get jobs here, it's just very difficult. Nothing worthwhile is easy, so with that being said, if you want to come to CA, we can accommodate you. Go for it; all in!

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I'm going to give you contrary advice and say go for it. If you want to move, just do it, and sort everything out as it happens. If you wait, things can pop up in life that will postpone or prevent you from achieving your dream. You can get jobs here, it's just very difficult. Nothing worthwhile is easy, so with that being said, if you want to come to CA, we can accommodate you. Go for it; all in!

That was my original plan but after readings all the responses, i am scared and very discouraged.:no: I'm gonna just wait year or so then think about moving there. But thank you so much for encouraging me!

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
I am willing to sacrifice! I honestly don't care which hospital or area i get a job as a new grad! I just wanna get my foot in the door lol. Btw, why are people so crazy about working at kaiser or UCLA?

With Kaiser, it's the money and the health insurance (presuming, that is, that you want their system). With UC, it's the experience of the academic medical center as well as good retirement benefits.

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Ahh, I see! Well, for right now I'll be happy to get a job just anywhere in California lol but someday I would love work at UC!

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That was my original plan but after readings all the responses, i am scared and very discouraged.:no: I'm gonna just wait year or so then think about moving there. But thank you so much for encouraging me!

You can absolutely apply if you're interested, I just wouldn't move out without a job in hand. Maybe you'll luck out and get a great offer as a new grad, or maybe you'll need to continue applying after you have some experience. One benefit of getting a job as an experience RN is that you may receive relocation benefits (rarely offered to new grads), which can offset the expense of moving cross-country. Absolutely feel free to apply to new grad positions in SoCal (like I said, maybe you'll luck out!); we just want you to have a realistic understanding of the job market before you move yourself cross-country.

Traveling may be a great way to try out various SoCal hospitals and get your foot in the door. You may already realize this, but to be a competitive traveler you should try to work in a specialty area (i.e. OR, ED, ICU, L&D, etc.) as opposed to med-surg, and plan to get at least 2 years of experience (the standard minimum requirement).

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You can absolutely apply if you're interested, I just wouldn't move out without a job in hand. Maybe you'll luck out and get a great offer as a new grad, or maybe you'll need to continue applying after you have some experience. One benefit of getting a job as an experience RN is that you may receive relocation benefits (rarely offered to new grads), which can offset the expense of moving cross-country. Absolutely feel free to apply to new grad positions in SoCal (like I said, maybe you'll luck out!); we just want you to have a realistic understanding of the job market before you move yourself cross-country.

Traveling may be a great way to try out various SoCal hospitals and get your foot in the door. You may already realize this, but to be a competitive traveler you should try to work in a specialty area (i.e. OR, ED, ICU, L&D, etc.) as opposed to med-surg, and plan to get at least 2 years of experience (the standard minimum requirement).

I've always been very cautious person! I would never move to another state without having a job first. So I'll just wait get some experience before I start to think about moving. I just didn't know it will be this tough to find a job there...:cry:

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