Job seeker in California

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HI everybody

I'm a new graduate male nurse from Royal College of surgeon Ireland medical university of Bahrain (RCSI-Bahrain). I have graduated with first class honors. I'm looking to be a register nurse in California and I would like to ask some question:

  • What is the availability of jobs for new graduate nurses?
  • What is the average salary?
  • Any other advices from you?

Thank you all

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

1. The market for new grads is VERY bad: almost 50% of new grads are still looking for work. It's great that you graduated with high honors but don't expect that to be a lot of help, as a lot of applicants were at the top of their class and still can't land a job. Internal applicants can't land jobs. Having connections ins't helping much either because too many people have them.

2. Salaries vary depending on where you are in CA, because it's a very big state. The highest salaries are found up in San Francisco/Sacramento...however, that's also one of the worst job markets for new grads. Southern California is lower, around the mid-30s/hr. But again, another bad job market for new grads.

3. My advice to is focus on getting licensed in CA period. The Board of Nursing in CA has some of the nation's toughest requirements for licensure, and a lot of foreign grads get denied because their nursing programs aren't up to CA snuff.

As a foreign grad, that is the greatest hurdle you have to face--it doesn't matter if you find a job if the state won't get you a license. Also, make sure you are able to work in this country legally. Remember that you will be competing against a lot of local new grads who won't/didn't have any problems with licensure or eligibility to work in the US. Employers may not be as willing to take a chance on you, not when there's a ton of them able to start work tomorrow. So be sure you have all of that squared away.

Best of luck.

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Thank u for your comprehensive comment…

We are facing same situation in my country were many new grads are waiting

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If you aren't picky and want to come to the US, there are more jobs on the east coast. Get some experience and then come out to California.

You also didn't mention which part of California, the more rural / Central Valley area will be easier to find jobs.

I would definitely work on getting licensed here before thinking about moving.

Salaries in SF are around $50/h for new grads.

Good luck!

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