Job Prospects in Northern Cali Bay Area?

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Hi all,

I currently work for a trauma hospital in Michigan on a high acuity medical floor. I have about 6 months of work experience and will be working there for at least 1 year. I am re-locating to California to live with my husband and soon I will start searching for jobs. I know I need my RN California license first. My question to all those working in top institutions or anywhere, such as Stanford Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter, etc., what will increase my chances of getting a job? I've heard it's a difficult, competitive market in California.

So far, I have the work experience. Should I start volunteering, or attend more conferences to boost my resume? How did you get your job if you recently were hired?

Appreciate the help. Thanks.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

BSN, certification in your specialty and the experience count the most. It is a tough job market. I had offers in the bay, but picked Sacramento because it's a cheaper cost of living and its pay rate is similar. I had 3 years of ICU experience, my BSN and belonged to committees and had worked at some well known hospitals in Southern California on big 50+ bed ICUs. I also had specialized training in post open hearts, CRRT and post kidney transplants. I made the switch to ER also.

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If you have not gotten started, get on the process of getting your license in CA. I went to school in CA, graduated in 2013, and have been in MN so I can't speak to the current job market. I have heard though that most places just want you to not be a new grad. However, the CA BRN is one of the absolute worst and takes a century to do anything. Hopefully they have updated since I graduated (they had all paper forms ***!?), but be prepared to go to battle in person if your application is taking too long. Best of luck! :)

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haha , they still have only paper forms! Nothing online. Yeah I know, their length of time is ridiculous. I had to call a few times to get things going because no one was looking at my application. Thanks for your reply!

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Hey! I'm currently going through the same nightmare process. Trying to get my CA license as I need to move to the bay area by the end of the year (from Pennsylvania). I'm sitting for my CEN to try to make myself more marketable but I'm super nervous about 1.) being denied by license in CA because of differing education requirements and 2.) not being able to get a job in my desired unit (Emergency).

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