How is the job situation for new grads in California?

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Hey there everyone. I'm a new grad from Alabama and am considering moving back to the Bay Area. How is the job situation over there for new grads???

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I suggest you stay there, get a year or 2 under your belt, then come back... Pretty hard out here finding a job as a new grad

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The employment picture for new grad nurses is pretty bleak in California. There's a huge surplus of new grads in all of the state's major metro areas, with the Bay Area being a particular case in point.

Many hospitals, particularly those in metro areas, are expressing a preference for BSN educated nurses, but many new grad BSNs still cannot find work.

The job situation is somewhat better in the state's more rural areas, especially those in the southern half of the Central Valley. If you don't mind living in a smaller (and often low income) community, this may be a viable option for you.

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I think California in general is pretty hard to find new grad jobs even the rural ones. I applied to so many places and still got no luck. It is best to stay where you're at and get some experience before moving back. I know a lot of people are considering moving out of states because it is so hard to find jobs here.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The job situation is somewhat better in the state's more rural areas, especially those in the southern half of the Central Valley. If you don't mind living in a smaller (and often low income) community, this may be a viable option for you.
I've applied for nursing positions in the southern half of the Central Valley (Delano, Fresno, Visalia, Hanford, Bakersfield, Porterville, Tulare, etc.), and even with my five years of nursing experience, I have not been called for any interviews.

The job market has gotten bad in all parts of the state.

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It's ugly out here. I'm a new grad in the Bay Area and it's bleak. Get some experience where you are and then think about moving back.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Super ugly, even for experienced nurses. New grads don't stand a chance, even in nursing homes. The Bay Area is probably one of the top three worst job markets for new nurses in the US.

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Wow...Not what I wanted to hear but thanks for the feedback folks. any word on Nor Cal???

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It's not good. I was a new grad in 2010 and found a job after 3 months of looking...however it is in a rural area and I am commuting 2 1/2 hours each way. I pay a lot of money every month to stay in a hotel because moving there is not an option with my husband's job. I now have a year experience and still am not able to find a job at home, even though I live within 45 mins to over 10 different hospitals.

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Specializes in LTC.
It's not good. I was a new grad in 2010 and found a job after 3 months of looking...however it is in a rural area and I am commuting 2 1/2 hours each way. I pay a lot of money every month to stay in a hotel because moving there is not an option with my husband's job. I now have a year experience and still am not able to find a job at home, even though I live within 45 mins to over 10 different hospitals.

Tahoewed,

What city do you and you family live in or near? That is terrible that you have such a commute.

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I live in the Sacramento area.

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Sucks here. Hundreds of applications for 1 position. Better go to texas.

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