California Ratio Laws & San Diego as Nurse.

[melissahall456]

Hi! I'm new here and trying to figure the forum out. I was trying to search to see if this topic has already been discussed but nothing was coming up in search?

I have been a nurse since 2008 and have TELE/MS, hospice, corrections, and Quality Dept. experience.

I came across some articles from 2013 about how difficult it is in San Diego to find a nursing job. Is this still the case???

We recently visited San Diego and I loved it. My job in core measures was ending (due to Joint Commission dropping many of them) where I worked so after vacation I went home, put my house up for sale and decided we were moving to San Diego. Surprisingly, my house sold in 7 days! (I was thinking it'd take like a year to sell). Sooo... I got a travel nurse job for now but am now worried after I've read a ton of articles about how San Diego is so unaffordable . I've never rushed into anything like I did that... I hope I haven't made a mistake! But either way, we needed a change :).

So, I'd like some input from some San Diego nurses on your opinion about your wages vs the cost of living. It it possible for a nurse supporting a family alone to make it there?? I have a husband who has a few years to go in school. He will finish wherever we end up. I also have a 3 & 4 year old.

Also, a big reason I am thinking about a move to CA is because of the nurse ratio laws. Do they really make a difference, though, or does admin take all the CNA, lab help, etc., away to make up for the less patients?? I am very upset with the state of floor nursing these days.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm working as a travel nurse now in Kingman, AZ, where my husband's parents live until we figure out for sure where we want to go! :)

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

It's an employer's market, for sure. Luckily, you have several years of experience, and hopefully, a BSN as opposed to an ASN. The cost of living is much higher, so depending on where you're coming from, you may not be able to afford the same standard of living.

The ratios do make things much nicer, though. My hospital has plenty of support staff ....much more than my 8:1 ratio hospital in Texas ever did.

[melissahall456]

I do not have my BSN . Thanks for your input.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'm actually in LA and don't have a BSN, either. I did find work here, but noticed that my options are much more limited than they were in Texas. So it's not impossible... but is does make things a bit tougher- especially if you're particular.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I have lived in California all my life but live in the Central Valley. The ratios make a HUGE difference,for example a step-down unit is 1:3.med surgical is 1:5 and telemetry is 1: 4. These must be maintained at all times even when you go on a break. In order to accomplish that many units have a nurse that is called a resource nurse or a relief nurse that does not take patients so that they can relieve for breaks and help admit and discharge patients. We still do have nurse aids and sitters when needed.

Yes, the cost of living is higher but so are the wages especially if work at a unionized hospital. My nurse practitioner moonlights at a Kaiser ED in the Central Valley and he makes $83.00 per hour. Wages in the Bay Area are also high. You will also be in an incredibly beautiful area and are close enough to Disneyland at Anaheim to get a season pass, visit Universal Studios and partake of all the activities in LA.

[melissahall456]

Thank you for your input! I'm really liking what I'm reading about the ratios. I want to feel like I've provided better and safer care at the end of my day. I don't mind being busy at all, but the type of busy I have experienced on MS/TELE floors is ridiculous. I may make the move to CA to save my nursing career (not quit and go back to school like I've been thinking of doing). Hopefully not having my BSN won't be too big of an obstacle. I would've gotten it but have long been thinking of quitting nursing due to what I feel is unfair treatment of the floor nurse (TELE units at 6 patients! Give me a break )

Melissa

[nealiiih]

nursing in CA is really great. I wouldn't set your hopes on San Diego right off the bat- you may have to work elsewhere until you can find a job in San Diego, every nurse wants to live in San Diego it's a really tough market but once you're in, you're in. I came from Minnesota years ago and CA truly is a great place to be a nurse as far as ratios go. there are a lot of really amazing cities in California other than San Diego (if you can't find a job there) I would look into Central Valley, San Francisco area, Orange County, LA & surrounding beach communities etc. good luck !

[melissahall456]

Thanks for the response. I'll look up Central Valley - not sure what that is?

[Littleguccipiggy]

It's an employer's market, for sure. Luckily, you have several years of experience, and hopefully, a BSN as opposed to an ASN. The cost of living is much higher, so depending on where you're coming from, you may not be able to afford the same standard of living.

The ratios do make things much nicer, though. My hospital has plenty of support staff ....much more than my 8:1 ratio hospital in Texas ever did.

Man, I remember Texas ratios. I had 6:1 on the oncology floor. And my hospital wondered why they couldn't retain their new nurses. The job market is hit or miss in SD. I didn't have a hard time finding a job here, but it was harder for me to find a per diem job. Its more affordable outside of SD proper. Some people with families live all the way out in Temecula and commute in.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the response. I'll look up Central Valley - not sure what that is?

Some cities in the Central Valley include Fresno, Bakersfield, Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Delano, Madera, Hanford, Lemoore, Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, Ceres, Merced, Tracy, etc.