Job Market in San Diego/Miramar

[UWFSN]

I'm a new grad from FL and I may be relocating to San Diego with my boyfriend who is a Marine that would be stationed at Miramar. Can anyone tell me what the Job market is like for new grads in the area? Also, what are the hospitals like and which would you recommend working at? I'm interested in a Med-Surg job.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

There are several hospitals with new grad residencies that you can apply for, but they only open applications for them 2-3 times a year, and the competition for them is fierce. I'd start by bookmarking their websites and checking them daily...and when the new grad residency opens up to apply ASAP, as the application is online for only a week or less.

It's a very tough job market...just look at the New Grad Support Group thread in this forum for the gory details. Most places are BSN-required or BSN-preferred, so if you don't have a BSN you'll be at a disadvantage. Many places are flooded with applicants and the employers can be very picky...even the "stand-bys" of SNF and LTC are demanding experience. While some new grads do manage to strike gold right away, they are the exceptions rather than the norm--most take 6-12 months or more to land anything.

Honestly, if you can help it, don't move out here unless you have a job offer in hand or you/your boyfriend have the money to support a CA lifestyle for several months while you search. That's what you're facing out here.