Finishing nursing school, relocating to San Diego... advice?

[karmyk]

Hi! I'm finishing nursing school up in the Bay Area, and I should be taking the NCLEX sometime either late December or early January (at least... that's my goal...)

I'm going to relocate to San Diego in the Spring (unexpected change of plans in my life), and I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice about applying for new grad programs and/or jobs in the area... reason being, there were certain required/suggested dates for getting things accomplished in order to apply for new grad programs out here in the Bay Area, so I'm wondering if there are also recommended dates for getting things accomplished in order to apply to new grad programs in San Diego.

Example: I heard Kaiser is doing its Bay Area interviews for New Grad programs (which will start next Spring) in November and December, and they want applicants to take the NCLEX by early January... is there any requirement like that for Kaiser, Scripps, Sharp, etc.?

Also... I'm trying to work out my schedule in November in order to be able to attend the Nurseweek job fair in SD on the 13th... is that too late a date to start worrying about applying for New Grad programs?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. =)

[prmenrs, RN]

UCSD is a good place to start; they have new grad programs, and if you go back to the Bay area, you can transfer w/o losing senority. I imagine the same would be true of Kaiser.

Be prepared: San Diego salaries are lower than San Francisco.

I should think Nov 13th ought to be fine for a Spring start, but you can always call the Nurse Recruiters of your choice down here.

Best wishes!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

If you find any places that are still taking new grads for spring, PLEEEEASE let me know. I just found out I'm moving to San Diego this Dec. I graduated in May, but got married and moved around a lot since then so no time to work.