Considering a move to SF area

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Hopefully this type of thread isn't super common here but it looks like this board doesn't have a whole lot of posts on it...

Specifically, we're looking at moving to San Carlos from the twin cities in MN. Long story short, we would not be paying rent or mortgage, just property taxes so we are hoping to make it work but we're nervous about finding full time work. I'm currently a nursing student set to graduate with an associate's in May. My husband is an English teacher with 5 years experience in both middle and high school and has a master's. I am hoping to put off the move so that I can get my feet wet here and be able to put some experience on my resume, but before a move certainly at least one of us needs to find a full time job for the insurance. I am also due for a baby in July, so we wouldn't move until at least after that. Ideally I think I'd like to wait a year after baby comes so I can get some experience and take advantage of the decent job market here, but my husband will start applying for jobs in the spring just in case he does find something.

Is it realistic for a new RN with an associate's to find a job? I know I wouldn't make it into a hospital; I'd be at assisted living or something similar first but is even that realistic? Is anyone familiar with the teaching job outlook? If we did have difficulty finding an employer to provide health insurance, is there a decent program in place to make sure that at least our baby is covered? I know some states have family specific programs in place, though they're confusing and even more so since ACA. Anything else we should be aware of/prepared for? I'm sure that daycare is insanely expensive, but otherwise I don't think the high costs of living that the bay area is so known for would affect us very much if we aren't paying rent/a mortgage. Any particularly recommended part time RN to BSN programs close by?

Thanks so much!

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I'm very familiar with the teaching prospects in the bay area - My mom is a professor who trains student teachers/credentials teachers. Teaching jobs are not difficult currently, particularly in the SF Unified School District. The school district is so desperate currently that they are taking people on their word, that is, people who claim they have a license to teach and don't. My mom has had to report a few of these individuals. This is mostly due to the low salary compared to the high cost of living for teachers.

You'll certainly be looking for a little while, especially as a new grad associates nurse. The Bay Area is highly sought after due to the quality of life and the relative high pay for nurses. There's an ER Nurse I know who pulls in $240,000+. She is a charge nurse, but that's still pretty damn good.

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Thank you! That was very helpful.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

You would be better off looking for a Public Health Nurse (a special certificate would be required in California) or School Nursing position if you don't think you can get in the hospital. I'm a Public Health Nurse for a City in the Bay Area and I make really good pay. Not as much as my friends in the hospital, but close to 100k. Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I worked in a SNF as a new grad, and made about half of what I make at my hospital job. It's still a livable salary, and they're always hiring. It's good experience. Hospitals here generally want to see a BSN, and positions accepting nurses without inpatient experience are tough to come by. There are a variety of new grad programs out there, each with their own criteria. Be prepared to have to explain the gap in between getting licensed and actually searching for a job. Your skills and knowledge will get rusty in that time, which will be a HUGE setback as a new grad. Even volunteering for the sake of keeping up your skills would be better that complete absence from nursing.

Childcare runs about $1000/month, especially for an infant (might be a little less for an older child, $800 is the going rate where I am).

Also, for PHN, I believe you need to have your BSN. Many of the CSUs (state universities) have bridge programs, some are online. Sonoma State's is mostly online, but there are some portions you need to actually attend.

New grads here are a dime a dozen, so if you can get some experience before the move, I'd highly recommend it.

For insurance, look into Covered California.

Good luck!

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