How hard is it for experienced RN out of state, to get job in CA?

[pandabearlover]

I currently live out of state and have been a nurse for 4.5 years. I'm trying to do research and get info because I have a feeling it might be way harder than I've been expecting, to get a job in southern CA than originally thought. I was wondering if anyone has any info on how competitive it is, like do the bigger hospitals only hire internal? Do they only want people with CCRN and certifications like that? 

Originally the main goal was San Diego but at this point I will tell the only area I don't want to work is like the bulk of LA. I'm flexible to anything in between SD and Newport/Irvine and I'm open to the idea of Ventura or around there. Hospitals and hospital systems I've looked at include Sharps, Scripps, UCSD, Kaiser, Palomar, Providence. (You don't have to talk specific hospitals, just saying what I've looked at, not trying to get anyone in trouble here LOL)

I'm looking for critical care care - cardiac PCU specifically. I want to get into ICU but I haven't had experience with ECMO orr devices so it'll probably take time to get into ICU but IDK maybe there are places that are willing to train? I've looked at training programs like ICU residency transition programs.

I'm really just wondering how competitive is it? Do the bigger hospitals only want internal applicants? Anyone that went through process of out of state moving to CA that has advice? What can make you a more competitive candidate? 

I'm not pursuing travel nursing right now unfortunately.