How in the world do you make it in CA?

U.S.A. California

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Hi Cali Nurses,

I graduate from Nursing school may 6th and I have always fancied moving to CA. I spoke with a nurse recruiter at UCLA and was alerted that the pay would be: 25.36/hr 4.00/hr for nights and 2.50 for weekends. $1500 relocation and no sign on bonus. That is NOT enough! That weekend diff is pittiful!!! The cost of living in California is soooo high especially if you expect to live somewhere near the hospital (Bev. hills) The pay here That I am being offered here in Indianapolis is this 19/hr plus 4.00/hr for nights and 5.50/hr. for weekend diff. 11.00/hr for holidays and a $5,000 sign on bonus. The cost of living in Indianapolis area is MUCH LOWER than Ca. I mean you can get a 4 br. nice house ,nice area here for 170,000 (maybe less maybe more depending on amenities such as a basement) gas ranges from 1.58 to 1.99 sometimes, groceries aren't bad, eating out isnt bad either a really nice greek place that serves a huge delicious dinner may cost 25-30 a person and you save half of it for the next day in left overs.

I have always wanted to live in NY or CA because of the liberal atmosphere and diversity. Also, I have dreamed since childhood of acting and Indiana doesnt exaclty offer much in that department. But.... In Indiana it seems I could have a much more comfortable life. How do you CA nurses afford anything???? The pay DOES NOT seem to reflect cost of living at all! Any advice on how you live, or info on how much things cost(I already know that rent and housing is ridiculous), how many hrs you have to work to be able to survive, can you afford to do fun things?

Thank you!

Also traffic seems to be horrific, how is it at night? Is public transportation good?

how do you feel about getting a roomate? Or perhaps living in the oxnard/ventura area and commuting about 1 hour everday... might make it cheaper...

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I've been California dreaming for soooo long.

Am young & free and considering all the exciting options of moving somewhere interesting.

Roni - which part of Cal. do you live/work in?

Everyone - names of any hospitals/websites in Cal. which offer mental health nursing opportunities?

thanks a lot

A.

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Nurses at UCLAs Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI) really like their jobs.

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If you are interested in San Diego, visit Sharp, they have two great mental health, substance abuse hospitals - Sharp Mesa Vista and another I can't remember - right next to each other. Visit sharp.com then visit https://jobs.sharp.com/adhocjobsearch.asp to search for mental health jobs, there are tons and Sharp has great pay and benefits.

Melissa

I've been California dreaming for soooo long.

Am young & free and considering all the exciting options of moving somewhere interesting.

Roni - which part of Cal. do you live/work in?

Everyone - names of any hospitals/websites in Cal. which offer mental health nursing opportunities?

thanks a lot

A.

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I use to live in Calif. I worked as an LPN and had to pay a fortune for a tiny one bedroom apt. Leaving LA was the best decision I ever made. :)

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Specializes in NICU.
If you are interested in San Diego, visit Sharp, they have two great mental health, substance abuse hospitals - Sharp Mesa Vista and another I can't remember - right next to each other. Visit sharp.com then visit https://jobs.sharp.com/adhocjobsearch.asp to search for mental health jobs, there are tons and Sharp has great pay and benefits.

Melissa

Right next to Sharp Mesa Vista is the Child and Adolescent psych unit, which is part of Mesa Vista. Also right there is Sharp Memorial, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Children's Hospital is right there too.

But seriously, don't fall in love with San Diego unless you bring your spare $500K with you to buy a house. The pay does not reflect the cost of homes and there are really no cheap areas tucked away around here. (new grad rate at Sharp is $25.00 I believe) Oh, you might find a house for $450K, but not much lower.

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I'm from So Cal and love it love it love it. I know other places in the US are just as fab, but I personally wouldn't move out of this state. Despite the OP's worries regarding the high living expenses, California is a very live-able place! Starving students like me manage to thrive! Apartment rents are usually pretty steep in the nicer areas, but other mediocre areas have reasonable prices, I think -- and the commute isn't too bad, especially if you work nights and face traffic the other way! I wouldn't take the 405 though -- that's a giant parking lot if I remember correctly.

Come to Cali! You'll love it! You're not afraid of Ah-nold, are ya?

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I have lived in Calif since 1961 and have seen a lot of growth over the years. Traffic has gotten totally out of control and building on every vacant piece of land has become the norm. Enough said about that, California is the only place I would live, PERIOD! The weather is greater, hot during the summer mild during the winter. Indiana has those things called, SNOW PLOWS! I actually lived in SoCal from 1961 to 1997 and then moved to NorCal. Best thing I ever did. NorCal compared to SoCal is like night and day. I live in a small town, pop 766, one hour east of Sacramento in the Sierras. I love it. No traffic, no smog, no over populated areas. I am so glad I did it 7 years ago because with real estate as it is, I could not have afforded to move now. I still, though, work in SoCal at the same hospital I have worked at for 28 years. I couldn't give up the wages and benes I have acquired over the years, plus the people. There are alot of areas throughout the state that have a lot to offer. The best thing would be for you to come out here for a vacation and look at the areas that interest you. California is an expensive place to live but it sure beats 3 months of winters in the low teens! Good luck, Mike

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I agree on the housing - very expensive.

Sharp was paying $27/hr last year for ADN grads (2% more for BSNs) when I applied at SMB plus a $4 diff for nights. I think they have raised it a bit since then, I know Scripps has done an across the board raise for all nurses just this April, it was substantial - about $1.50 (I work for Scripps).

Right next to Sharp Mesa Vista is the Child and Adolescent psych unit, which is part of Mesa Vista. Also right there is Sharp Memorial, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Children's Hospital is right there too.

But seriously, don't fall in love with San Diego unless you bring your spare $500K with you to buy a house. The pay does not reflect the cost of homes and there are really no cheap areas tucked away around here. (new grad rate at Sharp is $25.00 I believe) Oh, you might find a house for $450K, but not much lower.

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Thanks for your replies re: the Calif. region. I will be into it in the future. Perhaps a little vacation is in order!

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Specializes in NICU.
I agree on the housing - very expensive.

Sharp was paying $27/hr last year for ADN grads (2% more for BSNs) when I applied at SMB plus a $4 diff for nights. I think they have raised it a bit since then, I know Scripps has done an across the board raise for all nurses just this April, it was substantial - about $1.50 (I work for Scripps).

Yes, it is $27/hr for new grads. I was trying to remember if it was $25 or $27 and I guess I picked wrong! When I started barely 5 yrs ago the new grad rate was $16.75! Sharp's raises are all based on #yrs as an RN rather than merit now.

And why didn't you get a job at SMB mstigerlily?

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Well, I applied there first, interviewed for L&D and the NICU and I didn't get the job in L&D, they did call me for NICU eventually, but by then I had gone to Scripps La Jolla and they were willing to hire me into postpartum so that is where I am now and I love it. I'm glad I ended up going to Scripps!

You are right - $27/hr sounds like a lot until you realize that the median home price is $500,000! Luckily, we bought our condo in 1999, it has nearly tripled in value so we have some equity. Otherwise, I could not afford to buy a home here!!

Melissa

Yes, it is $27/hr for new grads. I was trying to remember if it was $25 or $27 and I guess I picked wrong! When I started barely 5 yrs ago the new grad rate was $16.75! Sharp's raises are all based on #yrs as an RN rather than merit now.

And why didn't you get a job at SMB mstigerlily?

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