From Michigan to SanDiego.. HELP!

[AMAC8487]

Hey there!

So I will be a new BSN RN Graduate this August from Michigan, and am really looking to relocate to San Diego and work as an RN there.

I have worked in a level II trauma center in the ER, as well as PACU for the last 3 years as a Nurse Extern (basically a tech), so its not like I have NO hospital experience at all.

I have heard some pretty good things about Scripps hospital, love the area, and would LOVE to work there, or anywhere I can get into for that matter.

- Can I take my boards here in Michigan, but get a California license instead?

- When looking at the open positions, they almost ALL say you need previous hospital experience as an RN. However, where I work now in Michigan, my work does the same thing, yet hire new RNs all the time in those exact positions. Are they strict on that policy?

Any tips or ideas that you think I should do before I take my boards in terms of trying to get a job there in San Diego?

Thanks a ton

[lkpdx]

Hello

Is this advice the same for an experienced nurse trying to re-locate to San Diego? Are there hundreds of nurses, even non new grads applying for all positions? Any advice?

Thanks

[HEARTSAVERRN1960]

Some of the hospitals Sharp, Scripps, and UCSD Hillcrest and Thornton hire experience nurses. My unit currently has 9 openings look on the web sites for new applicants. Some are still contracting Traveler nurses for 3, 6 months that is another way to get in be a traveler successfully complete contract and sign on full time staff :).

[AMAC8487]

Thanks for all the replies people!!! Greatly appreciated!

Its funny. I was never aware that is was that tough of a market there!!! Where I live, we are SUPER SATURATED with medical professions, hospitals, medical schools, etc. I always assumed if I can get a job here, there HAS to be areas looking for nurses desperately.

On the fax machine, we get tons of info and job opportunities to go out to other states for nursing careers, mostly for travel and agency work. I was just thinking jeeze... if they are marketing to other hospitals, it must be bad!

[Abbybaby86]

AMAC8487 did u end up moving to San Diego? I also just graduated with a BSN and recently passed the NCLEX. I was thinking of moving to SD but only if I find a job first.

[tildor]

I moved to SD as a new grad and no experience. I got a job immediately in med surg. P.S. I did not have any "connections". I love it here. Good luck.

[ebits]

Hi AMAC! I too am relocating to San Diego without much experience. I've worked as a nurse for about a year but it's in more of an office setting (not acute) so I'm nervous about finding a job. I will be moving in 2 months and am just starting to apply now. From what I have read in other posts, go for the jobs that say "preferred" as the experience isn't neccesarrily required.

Tildor, any tips on places that are hiring or where we should apply? Congrats on your job! SD is amazing and I'm beyonnddd excited to move :)