Job prospectives for a new grad in NorCal/Bay Area

shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 19, 2017

There is a lot of negativity on this board, so disregard that. Yes, there are RN jobs in NoCal and you should try to get into a new grad residency program. NoCal has an extremely high cost of living, so please consider that. As a new grad, it helps to be flexible, so consider areas like Sacramento, Davis, Chico, Redding. You should start researching the hospitals and residency programs now. Good luck.

Career Columnist / Author · Jul 20, 2017

Hi all,
I have only heard vaguely about how competitive the job market is for new grads in the Bay Area. I am graduating from nursing school on the East Coast and hoping to move back to CA after I graduate. I would like to gauge with more certainty what the job market is actually like in the Bay Area, Marin County, and the Central Coast. Additionally, if anyone has insight into the Tahoe area or NorCal (Chico, etc) I'd be interested to hear that as well. I hope to work in critical care but would be amenable to starting off in other areas.
What are the chances of a new grad getting a job in the Bay Area? Are nurse residencies the way to go? I am feeling lost!
Thanks for your help!

The job market for new grads in the areas you mention are quite competitive. But- if you are willing to work elsewhere in state (inland) for one-to-years, you will be golden :)

I'm in the central valley, California, and we do hire new grads from other states.

The key is to make yourself stand out at every point in the process. This I know from having reviewed hundreds of applications

Many reputable facilities offer new grad residency programs, and I highly recommend them because of the specialized on-boarding and support they provide. Some new grad residency programs are open year round for application, some have narrow windows of application (Cedar Sinai typically opens up for 48 hours only). Some require an essay which is given weight, some do not. So there are some job searching strategies that are key to success.

I recommend you read

"Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job...and Your Next" It's chockful of insider tips and strategies, and written for someone just like yourself.

Best wishes,

BAY AREA RN, BSN · Jul 20, 2017

im in the bay area and i believe it all depends, some hospitals out here(bay area) such as Kaiser like the new grads to have atleast 6 months of hospital training. But there is a ton of hospitals out here. Also many are looking for BSN graduates. All you can do is try. Apply and see how it go. Good luck

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Jul 21, 2017

Your best chances are in rural areas. There is a hospital in Gridley and some in marysville that hire new grads with significantly less competition. Bakersfield/Fresno might be easier to land a gig. Bay Area is very challenging. Sacramento is actually tough too because wages are high to keep up with the bay and a much cheaper cost of living. Apply everywhere and being flexible on what you can get is the way to go. Def aim for ICU or tele/ER as back up. Those two fields make you marketable to getting that coveted ICU gig.

NurseKayeBSNtoMSN, BSN, LVN, RN · Jul 21, 2017

The job market here is touch and go. The jobs that will come easiest will be those that don't pay what a nurse is worth and will overwork and use you. My best advice is to find a new grad program. I know UCSF does new grad programs as does CPMC, I believe. If that doesn't work, stick it out with a SNF for a year or so, get that time under your belt and start applying to hospitals as a good amount of hospitals would like to see 2 years experience before taking you on. Also, don't knock agencies. I worked for an agency for a year before landing my position.

Good luck!