Moving to CA as New Grad ADN

want2banurse35 · Jan 10, 2010

Try to get interviews wherever you can. Right now it is really hard to get a nursing job in here in california. I have several friends with BSNs and ADNs who are unemployed right now or working at Starbucks because they cant get a nursing job. I think Ca is the worst for New Grads and many others on this board will agree with me. I would love to tell you to get a job before you get here. Goodluck!

decnewgrad · Jan 10, 2010

Hi,

I do not mean to be discouraging but California is a really tough place to get a job right now for new nurses. Especially in the SF Bay area. The vast majority of hospitals are simply not hiring new graduate nurses and there are numerous stories of people who graduated last May or even December of 2008 and still do not have jobs OR have had to move out of state to get jobs. So, I strongly advise you to research which hospitals you may be interested in working at and contacting the recruiters to see if they will be hiring this Summer. Unless you have enough money to live on out here for some time - you should probably land a job before coming out here. Sorry - I really do not mean to be discouraging - just make sure you have a realistic outlook before you move. I wish you the best of luck!

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 11, 2010

What I did when I was looking for a job in CA is to go to career website links of hospitals in the cities I'm interested in moving to and then looking for job postings that meet my qualifications. I did get a few interviews this way and majority were phone interviews except for one (the job I ended up accepting) which I was asked to fly to the area and interview in person. Be aware that the job pool for new RN grads is probably going to be very tight especially in the cities you mentioned. I consider myself lucky to have found a job that matched my qualifications and experience here in the Bay Area because that was the biggest factor in helping me get the job offer. Defiintely, heed the advice already offered above to never move yet until you have a job lined up for sure.

50caliber · Jan 11, 2010

Hate to be a downer but I live in the San Jose area and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a job as a new grad. The San Jose area is flooded with numerous nursing schools and I would say 85% of them do not have jobs.

Most hospitals in this area have canceled their new grad programs. You are better off staying put, getting 1-2 years of experience then come here. If you don't believe me, I'll give you a list of all the hospitals in the San Jose/surrounding areas and you can see for yourself. Don't let me discourage you but do your research before coming here.

want2banurse35 · Jan 11, 2010

Hate to be a downer but I live in the San Jose area and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a job as a new grad. The San Jose area is flooded with numerous nursing schools and I would say 85% of them do not have jobs.
Most hospitals in this area have canceled their new grad programs. You are better off staying put, getting 1-2 years of experience then come here. If you don't believe me, I'll give you a list of all the hospitals in the San Jose/surrounding areas and you can see for yourself. Don't let me discourage you but do your research before coming here.

I think that is a big problem here in the Bay Area. As I have said before I live in the East Bay and it is so many nursing schools in this area. BSNs and ADNs programs. There are so many schools (about 10)that are close to my house and that I could think of off the top of my hand. I could drive from my house to each of these schools in about 30 to 40 min or less.

caliotter3 · Jan 11, 2010

I can also attest to the fact that it is almost impossible to get a job in the San Jose/San Francisco area, any kind of nursing job, much less in a hospital, experienced or not. I relocated when I could no longer afford to be without an income. Go on the internet and start the search and application process now and see what you come up with. You will not be encouraged. I was on the employment development department website a couple of days ago. Forget how many listings were for RN, but there was a grand total of 4 for LVN for Santa Clara County. That gives you a hint. And it is like this every month, year after year. Nurses who have jobs in the Bay area do not leave them and employers cut back on their staffing. I highly suggest you have a minimum of two years living expenses with you if you intend to come here without having lined up a job beforehand.

Rabid Response · Jan 13, 2010

You do not say why you are moving to California. If you do not have to move, DO NOT unless you have a job lined up beforehand. There are local new grads who have been out of work for a year or more, and the schools keep churning them out. I work for one of the biggest employers of nurses in Northern California, and our hiring freeze is so bad that we can't even transfer between departments. My hospital hasn't had a new grad program in almost two years and has no plans to start one any time soon. Why hire new grads when there are tons of experienced nurses clamoring for jobs?

The cost of living is insanely high here. If you move here without a guaranteed RN offer, prepare to take a job at Starbucks (if you are lucky enough to get one) and live with at least three other people in order to make ends meet. CA has one of the worst unemployment rates in the country right now.

JenLuvs2Run · Jan 13, 2010

Ok, I can clearly see the picture that is being painted. Thank you for your replies.

bremon · Jan 15, 2010

I agree with the listed posts...however if you do continue to look for a position in CA contact hospitals in advance, in advance, in advance, about "New Grad Programs." The application periods are often months ahead of when the program is scheduled to start, and you definitely don't want to miss the application period because hospitals are only offering new grad programs once of twice a year...if at all.

Good luck:-)