Jobs San Diego vs Sacramento

Postpartum RN · Jun 24, 2015

I am in sacramento, most of the major hospitals here in sac start new grads around $50 average per hr, some are a little higher and some are a little lower. BUT, it's extremely EXTREMELY competitive here to get a hospital job without experience. Very difficult, seems like the only way to get in is by networking with staff.

I would highly recommend getting atleast 6months to 1 ur experience before you move here, then you will have a much higher chance of finding a job. At my unit the most recent position posted had over 2 thousand applicants...

trn2015 · Jun 24, 2015

First thank you for your prompt response! I graduate in September, our intention is to move next June once the kids finish school, I am hoping to find a job locally so that I could gain some experience prior to the move. My question would be do you prefer Sacramento area vs San Diego area, and why?

Postpartum RN · Jun 24, 2015

I have no experience in the San Diego area whatsoever as I only vacationed there, but never lived there or looked for employment.

I think San Diego housing is more expensive. The competition is probably also high for a nursing job, I believe someone told me the pay is a little lower than sacramento.

Definitely try to get some experience before you move here. Do you live in an area where you think you can get a job pretty quickly after graduating?

Sacramento is a nice area with some very nice and safe neighborhoods, I love it here.

trn2015 · Jun 24, 2015

I have been hearing a mixed deal about employment. Some say they got a job real quick others say they still can't get a job. What area for living do you recommend in the sac area?

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Jun 25, 2015

You need to have a job lined up prior to the move. Think 100s of applicants for every position. It's not an easy market. Who is telling you they got a job quick? It took me 6 months...I had 4 years of ICU experience, my BSN and fancy certs as well as some awesome hospitals on my resume. Few get lucky, most just have persistence. In sac, Pay is 50s/hr and up.

Sac is funny in that it has pockets of good neighborhoods surrounded by lousy ones. Suburbs such as Roseville, orangevale, folsom are nice. Pricier, but good schools and nice.

San Diego pay starts in the 30s /hourly. Cost of living is much more. Beach tax of living there, but man that weather.... Expect to pay 2500 and up a month if you want a house in a decent neighborhood/school district down there. Super competitive for jobs as well.

Definitely line that job up first tho....

EllTee2B · Jun 25, 2015

I have been hearing a mixed deal about employment. Some say they got a job real quick others say they still can't get a job. What area for living do you recommend in the sac area?

You can probably get a job real quick if you know someone on the inside. If not, it could be a long and difficult process. I've seen it on both ends. I've seen people get a job a week after they graduate and I've also seen folks looking for over a year and eventually just move out of state. Your best bet is to do a travel assignment out here and turn that into a offer down the road.

trn2015 · Jun 25, 2015

Here in indiana it's just as bad, unless you know someone getting in is nearly impossible. Some RN end up doing home health because of low hiring in the hospitals. I wanted to work out here in indiana for about a year and then move my family to California due to weather and life experiences.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Jun 26, 2015

I'm not saying don't apply, I'm just saying don't move until you have the job lined up. UC Davis is always hiring in their ER. That is because their staffing sucks, but if you had a year experience and your BSN you could likely get a job there.

oaktown2 · Jun 27, 2015

I've lived in both Sacramento and San Diego and cost of living is definitely higher in SD. Jobs are competitive in both places and I agree with people's advice on waiting until you have a job lined up, unless your husband has a job and you can live on that salary. But he's right to be leery, CA is an expensive state from housing costs to car registration. I've heard that some hospitals (mainly Kaiser) will no longer look at you if you are coming from a skilled nursing facility (and it could be a false rumor). We have a lot of people and a lot of nursing programs, so there is definitely competition. However, I've also heard from recruiters that they like a diversity of where their nurses came from, so that could work to your advantage.

SD and Sac are both fairly laid back, but they are definitely different. SD is a beach town, whereas Sac is central CA with the delta and some lakes (though not much water right now) and a couple of hours from the mountains. So you may also want to think about what kinds of outside activities that you and your family like. I have enjoyed living in both cities, but they are different.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jun 28, 2015

Hello everyone! I would appreciate any advice from California nurses. I will be a recent graduate from nursing school. I currently reside in Indiana. I am interested in moving to California with my family. I do have kids and a husband. My question is what is the job success rate of finding a RN position in San Diego and Sacramento areas as well as the pay rates vs the two cities. My husband is liery to make such a big move, especially from hearing the cost of living in California. We're looking for a nice suburb nothing crazy expensive, something nice and safe for the kids! I am sorry for all the questions but I would appreciate any and all advice from California nurses:))! Thank you all for taking the time to read this!

I'm a life long Sacramento resident. Acute hospital jobs are hard to come by, but they are possible to obtain. If you're willing to work in ltc, there are many opportunities for work, though the pay isn't great, the cost of living here is low in comparison with nursing wages.

Unless, that is, you prefer to live in the more expensive regions of Sac, which are very nice, but quite a bit more. If your DH has a good job, then you'll be fine.

Elk Grove, Natomas, Roseville, el dorado... Those are more expensive but are very nice.

It depends on what you want and how much you're willing to commute.

Ps: my nursing experience is as an Lvn. I'm not done with my rn program.

Lvns easily earn $40-50k as new grads. Rents In decent areas start around $12-1500. In the nicer areas, rents are $15-1800.

You can purchase a small home in a nice area for under $2000 per month.

Hope this helps!!

SweetCorn · Jul 1, 2015

I wanted to work out here in indiana for about a year and then move my family to California due to weather and life experiences.

Fyi... it's 106 degrees in Sacramento today, same tomorrow. But at least there isn't any humidity.

The places in CA with the great weather, like San Diego, come with a cost (for the most part). Either cost of living is higher or pay is less or both in the case of San Diego.

There are LOTS of nurses in CA and lots of nurses who want to work in CA. Get that first year under your belt and the opportunities are much greater.