Los Angeles RN ICU jobs

[RNcat91]

Hey Nurses-

I am an RN living in Minnesota currently. I worked as a nurse aid for 2 years, LPN in a telemetry unit for 2 years and have 1 year of MICU experience as an RN BSN. I currently want to relocate to Los Angeles- West Hollywood area and I have been having trouble.

I had one interview at Providence St. John's in Santa Monica. The ICU didn't have their own critical care doctors, had carpet, and from what I could tell was seem more like a step down unit to me. They also had 18 travelers for their 20 bed unit. I was offered the job, but didn't take it. It didn't seem like the right fit for me.

I had a second interview for MICU at UCLA Westwood. I was really excited about this job. Had the phone interview...then did not get the job.

I have explored travel jobs with several companies. My 2 years of LPN experience doesn't count, and most hospitals want 2 years of ICU experience for travelers.

I really want a trauma level 1 hospital MICU. I've applied to Cedars and Kaiser with no luck. Any other good hospitals people would recommend or tips on how to get a job in the LA area? Ready to leave the midwest!

[Sour Lemon]

Hey Nurses-

I am an RN living in Minnesota currently. I worked as a nurse aid for 2 years, LPN in a telemetry unit for 2 years and have 1 year of MICU experience as an RN BSN. I currently want to relocate to Los Angeles- West Hollywood area and I have been having trouble.

I had one interview at Providence St. John's in Santa Monica. The ICU didn't have their own critical care doctors, had carpet, and from what I could tell was seem more like a step down unit to me. They also had 18 travelers for their 20 bed unit. I was offered the job, but didn't take it. It didn't seem like the right fit for me.

I had a second interview for MICU at UCLA Westwood. I was really excited about this job. Had the phone interview...then did not get the job.

I have explored travel jobs with several companies. My 2 years of LPN experience doesn't count, and most hospitals want 2 years of ICU experience for travelers.

I really want a trauma level 1 hospital MICU. I've applied to Cedars and Kaiser with no luck. Any other good hospitals people would recommend or tips on how to get a job in the LA area? Ready to leave the midwest!

You might have to adjust your expectations. One year of experience will get you a job ...but it won't make you competitive for the most desirable ones.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

You might have to adjust your expectations. One year of experience will get you a job ...but it won't make you competitive for the most desirable ones.

Got to agree with Lemon. The fact that you received an offer from a unit that sounds like it was mismanaged and desperate for staff but aren't getting offers from more desirable hospitals speaks volumes about the market.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get my CCRN to become a more competitive applicant (you should be eligible with a year of ICU) and continue to apply as you gain more experience. I personally wouldn't move to California without a job in hand unless you're truly desperate to leave the midwest and willing to take whatever job you can get; it doesn't sound like you're planning to do this, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there.

I've never worked at Cedars, but a friend of mine did a few years ago and told me that she loved it. At the time they weren't unionized (not sure if they are now), but she said that the hospital treated its nurses incredibly well.