How hard to find a RN position in Bay area?

ManyRN2B · Jun 22, 2007

We are relocating to the Bay Area also and I notice there aren't many jobs out there. I'm getting discouraged because I'm moving out there because of my husbands jobs but I feel like I will have to fight for a good job. Out here it's very different. I applied at 5 hospitals a few months ago (before we knew about the promotion) and 4 hospitals called me back for interviews within one week. I'm hoping I find a job soon because we surely can't afford to live on my husbands salary.

Sheri257 · Jun 22, 2007

Well, I guess this is the downside of the ratio law. Since it was enacted, we've had 40,000 newly licensed nurses in the last two years ... presumably many of them coming from out of state (Cali nursing schools only produce about 7,000 new grads a year).

I guess a lot of these nurses moved to LA and the Bay Area ... potentially saturating those markets.

:typing

John123 · Jun 22, 2007

I am thinking to save some money in Bay area, then go somewhere else to buy a house. Just do it, keep applying it, the market will give me an answer. How is job market for RN in Sancramento? I called an agency up there, the guy in Sancramento said he pays about 36/hr for registry RN. That is low. I love to serve people as a RN, but I have to be able provide my families. Thanks. John

Sheri257 · Jun 22, 2007

I am thinking to save some money in Bay area, then go somewhere else to buy a house. Just do it, keep applying it, the market will give me an answer. How is job market for RN in Sancramento? I called an agency up there, the guy in Sancramento said he pays about 36/hr for registry RN. That is low. I love to serve people as a RN, but I have to be able provide my families. Thanks. John

If you don't care that much where you live and your primary goal is to bank some money, I'd work for the state Department of Corrections. That's the best way to make Bay Area wages and bank a lot of money without the accompanying cost of living.

Generally, the pay statewide starts at $40 an hour but, you also make $3K in bonuses the first year, another $1K bonus the second year. The OT is $60 an hour to start. We're getting another 3.4 percent raise this summer and, within three years, the base pay gets up to $98K a year or $46 an hour, nearly $70 an hour OT. And, the benefits are pretty much the best you can find anywhere.

It can be really hard to get hired in the metropolitan areas because the pay and benefits are so good and there's a lot of competition for those jobs. But, from what I understand, if you apply to remote prisons it's much easier to get hired because there's not as much competition there. The upside is the cost of living is a lot cheaper in the remote areas so you can really make bank there.

However, if you don't like the remote areas ... then you can pretty much transfer anywhere in the state ... because once you're a state employee you get preference for other state jobs when they open up. Many of the metropolitan prisons are going to be expanding in the next five years so there's going to be more job opportunities there. And, unlike other jobs, you don't lose things like retirement benefits when you transfer as a state employee.

If I was new to California and wanted to bank a lot of money before I figured out where I wanted to settle down ... that would be the best way to do it, IMO.

P.S. Since you inquired about Cali income tax ... keep in mind that the tax goes up as you make more money. While at $60K you pay 3-5 percent tax depending on whether you're married or not, the tax gets up to about 4.5-6.5 percent once you make $100K a year. The tax rate is higher if you're single, lower if you're married.

:typing

John123 · Jun 22, 2007

Yes. I will try that correctional RN job too. Thanks. Keep doing, then see what will happen. John

kneRN · Jun 22, 2007

Yeah ... but a house in Santa Clara will cost you $715,000. You've gotta figure that a big chunk of that $12 would probably be eaten up by the mortgage and then some.
:typing

yes. but houses aren't exactly cheap in L.A. either. you were hard-pressed to find a 2 bedroom condo for less than $700k in the area I lived and would have wanted to buy in.

Sheri257 · Jun 23, 2007

yes. but houses aren't exactly cheap in L.A. either. you were hard-pressed to find a 2 bedroom condo for less than $700k in the area I lived and would have wanted to buy in.

I agree. To be honest with you, that's why I gave up on the coast all together. $60K just isn't going to pay for a $550,000 house in LA ... and even $40 an hour isn't going to do much when houses in the Bay Area are $700K or higher.

Those areas are gorgeous but it's just not worth it to be a slave to the mortgage. I do like to go out to dinner every once in a while.

MA Nurse · Jun 25, 2007

I got a call from L.A. They told me the pay forRN with 3 yrs experience is 32 bucks/hr. Well, that is too low comparing L.A rent, Ca 9.3% Tax etc. Sacramento or Concord is what I am looking into now after your suggestions. Thanks John

Another poster stated they hated Kaiser, but I know they have great retirement benefits and they treat their nurses well. I work at a Kaiser facility. They pay well, too. The Kaiser I work for also has a no cancellation policy, not sure if they all have that...so if the census is low, no cancelling, even of per diem nurses!

Try Kaiser Walnut Creek or Oakland.

isenephthys, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

i am an rn with nearly 7 years of icu experience; i am getting ready to move to the bay area in a couple of weeks. i'm a little discouraged after reading all of these posts; i don't want to make a major move and then not be able to find work! that's part of why i am leaving new orleans.

i am applying with uni staffing to have a back-up agency job and then will look for something ft when i'm settled in. does anyone have any experience/knowledge of uni?

any advice would be appreciated!

isenephthys, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2007

bump?

MA Nurse · Jul 18, 2007

i am an rn with nearly 7 years of icu experience; i am getting ready to move to the bay area in a couple of weeks. i'm a little discouraged after reading all of these posts; i don't want to make a major move and then not be able to find work! that's part of why i am leaving new orleans.
i am applying with uni staffing to have a back-up agency job and then will look for something ft when i'm settled in. does anyone have any experience/knowledge of uni?
any advice would be appreciated!

You can get an ICU position or PICU at Kaiser Oakland, they have postings now. Check out http://www.kp.org

isenephthys, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2007

thanks! i'm going to try kaiser, but i think oakland is a little far (i'm in pacifica). i'm also going to try ucsf, but i don't like the idea of rotating days and nights.