Modesto area hiring new grads?

[L&DForMe]

I currently live in WA but plan on moving to the Modesto area ASAP after graduating the nursing program.

I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on moving there as a new grad with no RN experience? Am I likely to be hired fresh out of school (and out of state)?

I have been in the nursing field for 12 years, been a CNA for nearly 9, have tons of experience (peds, med/surg, L&D/PP) and great recommendations, but is that enough?

I want to go into L&D (obviously), preferably right out of the gate, but understand that might not be possible.

I can stay in WA to gain some experience and then move, but given current conditions with my employer, I prefer to get out of there ASAP.

I wont graduate the nursing program until March 2011. Im trying to figure out if I can finish school, move to CA, and then take my NCLEX and get my CA license. Any info on doing that is greatly appreciated too!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would consider other options before moving to Modesto, because the city's fortunes are spoiling due to the economy. The city has the highest foreclosure rate in the nation (other than Stockton) and unemployment is skyrocketing.

What does this mean for nurses in the area? Canceled shifts occur due to low census. Low census occurs due to people staying away from the hospital unless it's a dire emergency. People stay away from the hospital because they're unemployed and have lost their health insurance coverage. People who lose their health insurance cannot afford to pay their medical bills if they get sick, which places the local hospitals in financial trouble. Hospitals who are in financial trouble will resort to tactics such as hiring freezes, canceling shifts, and hiring only experienced nurses since new grads are considered expensive to train.

It's a vicious cycle.

[L&DForMe]

Well, living somewhere other than Modesto isnt really an option that I want to change. Im moving there to be closer to family, and that is where my family is.

Modesto has both Memorial and Kaiser. If need be I can commute to Turlock, Tracy, Livermore, etc. It wouldnt be a fun commute, but I could do it. I have connections at Memorial though, so that is where I'm hoping to settle into, with a per diem position at Kaiser if available.

Im just trying to get a feel for the area and the hiring of new grads.

It'll be a little over 2 years before this would be happening anyway, and honestly I think the economic status will be on the upswing by then. :)

As far as housing, I'll probably be living with family for a bit after I move there (their request) while I settle in, save some money, get some debt paid off, etc.

ETA:

What does this mean for nurses in the area? Canceled shifts occur due to low census. Low census occurs due to people staying away from the hospital unless it's a dire emergency. People stay away from the hospital because they're unemployed and have lost their health insurance coverage. People who lose their health insurance cannot afford to pay their medical bills if they get sick, which places the local hospitals in financial trouble. Hospitals who are in financial trouble will resort to tactics such as hiring freezes, canceling shifts, and hiring only experienced nurses since new grads are considered expensive to train

This is part of the reason that I want to get out of my current employer ASAP. Because this is happening here now too. And my employer is not being very gracious about it. We're pretty sure they are trying to make things miserable for the nurses to get them to quit instead of being laid off and them having to pay unemployment.

I also have my CNA in both states, so if push comes to shove, I could find a CNA position while getting into an RN position.

[Kosmonavt]

I think it's really hard to tell what's going to happen in two years. For the last two years the job market here got much worse and I don't think it will get any better any time soon. You can go on the hospitals websites to see if there are any positions open for new grads at this time.

[MBA2RN, BSN, RN]

I went to a hiring fair today, at Kaiser Modesto. And they were turning away new grads without even letting them talk to a hiring manager. Nurses with at least two years experience got checked in, and were allowed to walk into the conference center. But myself and another new grad weren't even allowed to give anyone our portfolios.

!@#$$%^& nursing shortage!