Is Southern California New Grad RN Friendly?

U.S.A. California

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I heard that there are new grad RN jobs in San Diego and other parts of Southern California. Is this true?

I'd love to move to San Diego. Something about being near the water that sorta calms me...

fireline

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I am from Southern California, and its seems to be over-saturated here. Over 200 applicants for every new grad job. :( When I graduated in december, the nursing facility told us to expect to spend at least 6 months searching for our first jobs.

When I moved here from the Bay area a few years ago I immediately got two jobs. Now, there are no jobs to be had. I would not call SoCal new grad friendly, or experienced friendly either.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Most parts of southern California will present a major uphill battle when trying to land that first nursing job. While you will hear and read stories of the lucky few who found jobs immediately after graduation, the reality is that many new grads from the classes of '09 and '10 still have not found employment.

I would move out of state for that golden 1 year of nursing experience before attempting to find work in California. The state has way too many nurses and not enough jobs for everyone who wants or needs employment in nursing.

I live in So Cal, (Bakersfield) and theres lots of ads here for nurses. Lots of RN ads in the hospitals. The do say at least 1 year experiece PREFERRED, it doesnt say REQUIRED though. So maybe still apply for them anyways...I think they said acute care experience with that too.

I have a question about this. Would one way of getting around this would be to do the LV program, get into an LTC for a year, then take the LVN-RN bridge program, and once thats done, wouldnt it be a little easier for an RN to get a job? Since they have some experience there.

I see LVN ad postigs too but of course not in the hospitals. And ALL the ads that say 1 yr experience, it says preferred, not required. I wonder if this makes a difference in your chances if you applyed to them anyways...

Specializes in Med-Surg/ Tele; Home Health.

It wasn't for me. I waited and waited for 6 months. Jan 09- June 09. I finally decided to try my luck in other states. I worked in Nashville as a Medical Surgical nurse for 1 1/2 years. Moved back to CA last month. Now i thought it will be easier for me to find a job. But no luck yet.

But some new grads get their first job here in CA with no problem. So i think its just luck, timing and excellent grades.

I live in So Cal, (Bakersfield) and theres lots of ads here for nurses. Lots of RN ads in the hospitals. The do say at least 1 year experiece PREFERRED, it doesnt say REQUIRED though. So maybe still apply for them anyways...I think they said acute care experience with that too.

Bakersfield is pretty far away from San Diego...or even LA. I consider it more Central Cali than Southern Cali....but to each their own

As for new grad positions in San Diego....they're becoming less and less....the area's saturated with new grads, but the hospitals aren't hiring....Those that are hired are usually internal, so unless you already work at a facility as a CNA or some other role, then your chances are slimmer....

But if it's what you really want, then I say go for it

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I hail from San Diego and there are no new grad jobs to be found. Many of my former classmates are still searching and we graduated in May last year. I did hear in Visalia that they like to hire from out of the area. :)

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I just wanted to add fireline, I would love to have you in San Diego! :D Perhaps apply and get a job first before moving! :)

I have a question .. Is it possible to work as a CNA in Cali if I have a RN license? Just thinking if i can't find a job as a RN maybe i can get in as a CNA...

That is a big liability if you work as a CNA and have a RN license. Also I don't think that most emplyers would want to hire you because you're over qualified for the position. Keep searching for new grad positions or you may even want to try the prison system as they seem to hire RNs fresh out of school. Good Luck

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

My clinical teacher with a MSN went to work for the prison system just recently after looking for a job all semester... i think even the prison system is experiencing a large amount of applications in southern California.

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