Moving to Bakersfield from NJ...HELP!

[emmajane721]

Hi California nurses! I am a new nurse. By the time I move to Bakersfield (for my husband's work) I will have had 10 months experience on a Medical/Surgical unit and 6 months at a fitness center as an RN doing assessments on members. 2 questions:

1. Would it be best to wait 2 months to move so I have a full year of experience?

2. What are the job prospects in the Central Valley for an RN, BSN in an acute care setting?

Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! This is a big cross county move and I am nervous about leaving my job since it was hard to find it in the first place as a new nurse. Thanks in advance!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. Yes, having a full year of experience would be optimal.

2. Job prospects in the Central Valley are better than in the rest of the state. This is because the cities in the Central Valley are considered undesirable places to live due to the weather, agricultural stench and poverty.

Relocating to Bakersfield from New Jersey will be quite the culture shock if you have never been there before. I lived there for two years and still visit family there. It is more reminiscent of Oklahoma than of California.

[emmajane721]

Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it. I'm glad to hear the job prospects are better in the Central Valley.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

I live in Bakersfield. We are a hugely under-served area and one of the few areas in California where new ADN grads can go straight into whatever specialty they prefer! We have people come from all over the state to get their 1 year of experience before going back "home" to get a job. If you already have experience, you will find a job easily.