Moving to Bay Area-concerned about jobs! Advice please.

[bjp3RN]

Hello! My fiancé is getting transferred to San Francisco for his job in February. I'm thrilled(!) BUT... I recently graduated from a second degree BSN program and just started (Sept '12) a job in a very well known, top-rated children's hospital in the PICU. I love the unit and patient population but the timing is just terrible. I despise the city I'm currently living in on the east coast. The fiancé is moving mid-February and I am hoping to move once I find a job in a comparable setting, either peds ICU or ER, however I'm VERY concerned that being a relatively new nurse will hurt my chances of securing a job. Does anyone have any insight on this? I've already taken my PALS and plan on taking my CCRN and CPN certifications to help my resume-that will help my case, right? I'm not the type of person to move without having a job lined up, especially since SF has such a high cost of living. Also, I'd like to say that I could last until next September (one year in the PICU) here but I really don't think that's an option for me. (It's an absolutely miserable city, especially without any family nearby.) Any information/insight/advice would be great. Or if anyone has been in a similar situation. Thanks!

[wreckitralph]

usually positions require a year of experience. if you are still considered a new grad, a new grad program might be an option? it sounds like you really have good qualifications though. good luck!

[yoganurs]

Not to be a downer...but as a Bay Area native and New Grad with loads of connections...I say good luck and maybe consider not moving with your husband.

[Peds143]

I would advise to stick with PICU for at least a year then consider applying to jobs in SF. One year will fly by! =) Good luck!

[Testa Rosa, RN]

Oh Honey; It's just impossible to get a job here in a specialty like Peds--Jobs are impossible here to begin with. You are better off staying where you are for a year where you have a job, and taking frequent breaks to visit your sweetheart. Even after a year it will be hard to move into another position without connections. But you may be able to sign on with an agency. Keep trying you never know as you might get lucky. Wishing you the best of luck. TR

[rnmama999]

Like PP said, stay in PICU as long as possible. It is tough here in the Bay Area. Lots of nurses are getting laid off plus you have a lot of competition. Even experienced nurses are having trouble finding jobs.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree. If possible, try to complete at least one year in the PICU before you come out here--then you will have more options. The job market is CA is so tough that two years' experience would be even better, but I realize that's not always possible, especially if you want to have a happy relationship :)

You could come out with less than a year and try to play the "I'm still a New Grad" card, but the competition for the New Grad residencies is very intense. But what you could do is apply for the residencies in the Bay Area while you're still working in the PICU back east, so at least you will still have a job and be gaining experience while you see what happens.