California New Grad taking job out of state, what are my chances of getting back to CA?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone,

I just graduated from a BSN program in May. I applied to hundred of jobs and had little luck. I ended up accepting a position into a new grad program at a hospital in Arizona. From what I've heard, it's a great place for new grads. I start next week but I moved out here by myself and am already missing home.

I would really like to get a job back in San Francisco or at least the Bay Area. I'm planning on applying back around the 8 month mark...

Has anyone moved out of state as a new grad and gotten hired back in the Bay Area? I feel like I jumped the gun on this one but I've seen several of my classmates who spent over a year and a half looking for their first job. I didn't want to wait so long that I wasn't considered a new grad anymore. I figured that in that time of constantly applying to jobs, they could have already gotten their experience and came back. I also didn't want to take a job at a SNF or outpatient setting even if it was in the Bay Area because I'm afraid that it would be too hard to get into the inpatient setting even after a year. So here I am!

Any insight/experiences would be greatly appreciated!!

My husband moved from PA to WI for his job after graduation. He intended to stay for only 1-2 years then move back home.

Then I happened. :) and it's ten years later.

Keep and open mind and open heart and you never know... Enjoy your adventure, wherever it may take you.

That said, I am of the camp that, if the facility is decent, give them at least a year. That will be how long it will take you to get adjusted anyway.

Specializes in Pedi.
My husband moved from PA to WI for his job after graduation. He intended to stay for only 1-2 years then move back home.

Then I happened. :) and it's ten years later.

Keep and open mind and open heart and you never know... Enjoy your adventure, wherever it may take you.

That said, I am of the camp that, if the facility is decent, give them at least a year. That will be how long it will take you to get adjusted anyway.

Yeah, my fiance moved from NJ to MA 4 years ago for a job. I don't know if he even knew what his plan was at the time. He was laid off in July and if he was still single probably would have moved back to NJ. But, alas, he's here with me for good. :)

Specializes in Emergency.

What if you like Arizona?

What if you like Arizona?

I actually do. But I'm saying this when I haven't been here during the hottest months of the year (lol). My biggest motivator to go back home eventually is my family. There has always been a lot going on and they need my help/support, and that would mean me having to be there

Specializes in MICU, Burn ICU.

Did you apply all over CA prior to looking at AZ? Most people forget there's a whole entire northern part of the state, everyone focuses on being in the cities. Either way, a friend of mine has moved to AZ and absolutely loves it. It's normal to feel a little home-sick, but like others mentioned, you never know where this will take you and who'll you'll meet. Just enjoy the adventure! Congrats on graduating and good luck :D

Yes, I put in over 50 applications all over California!

Specializes in Pedi.
I actually do. But I'm saying this when I haven't been here during the hottest months of the year (lol). My biggest motivator to go back home eventually is my family. There has always been a lot going on and they need my help/support, and that would mean me having to be there

Once you have the necessary experience, you could consider travel nursing as a way to get your foot in the door somewhere.

I actually knew a nurse (from California, we met in Peru) who took 13 week local travel assignments and then would sometimes take 3-4 weeks off between assignments to go on vacation.

On 10/14/2018 at 4:09 PM, LibraNurse27 said:

I still had kind of a hard time but not nearly as hard as when I was a new grad. Feel free to PM me if you would like to know about the hospital where I work. They hire a lot of new grads and RNs with minimal experience. ?

I am also unable to PM because I have not posted enough, I am very curious to know about this hospital that hires niece grads!

Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
13 hours ago, mattwryan21 said:

I am also unable to PM because I have not posted enough, I am very curious to know about this hospital that hires niece grads!

Ah unfortunately there is not as much hiring going on because of covid. Some departments are shut down. Pre-op/OR/PACU only doing emergency surgeries, clinic nurses mostly doing covid testing, low census on the med/surg floors. I recently saw a new grad post for L&D and my unit (Stepdown) just hired 3 new grads because many older nurses retired early when covid hit. I tried to leave for psych but they are trying to keep ER, ICU and Stepdown nurses where we are until covid is over =( Let me know if you would still like me to PM you ?

COVID has definitely thrown made hiring in a lot of places hard, however, I do not graduate until August, and will hopefully take my NCLEX in September. I know that a lot of hospitals have new grad hiring cycles, and wondering what your hospital's was, also the name of your hospital. I would appreciate it if you could PM. Thank you!

+ Add a Comment