Moving from east to west coast

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Specializes in OR.

Hey guys!

So i am a RN in Boston. I have been a nurse for 2.5 years, i have experience in medsurge and have been in the OR now for 8 months able to circulate and scrub in Robotics, thoracics, plastics and general. My boyfriend who is currently working over in Cupertino as an engineering intern for this past summer is now approaching the end of his summer at Apple and would love to get out there full time so he is actively applying to positions trying to make that happen. Distance has been hard and I’ve been in Boston for a while now and we both agreed if he were to get a full time gig at Apple (which seems probable at this point after speaking with his boss) that I would move out there with him. It would be a smart financial decision for us as he would be making orotund 150k and Aftwr researching it seems like I’d make twice as what I’m making now. We both love California and have been together 5 years so it makes sense. I’m currently in the process of applying for my CA license and just have to submit that this week, I’m aware it can be lengthy so i wanted to submit it now. So a few questions to anyone working in the west coast/anyone who has relocated from the east coast, or even moved nursing jobs in general.

1) what are some similar hospitals to that of Brigham/MGH, looking for teaching hospitals & unionized. Was told of Kaiser/UCSF. Also will be commuting. What is parking like?

2) should I wait for an opening to directly apply to or would it be appropriate to network on LinkedIn/email nurse managers just to say I plan on searching for an OR position in the next 6 months?

3) Starting pay for a nurse of 2 years. I take home about 1,000 a week now and heard CA nurses make a lot more. I already know the coast of living, however Boston is very similar (My roommate and i currently pay 1750 each for our place so)

4)what is the hiring process? Highly unlikely but any relocation packages/ do they pay for flights for an interview or anything?

5) nurses who have moved-did you find it difficult to adjust to a new hospital? Or is it essentially the same job role just different atmosphere?

I know this is a lot but anyone with insight/personal experience who can shed light into this would be very much appreciated! Also feel free to PM me!

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma Resus, ACNP Student.

Hi,

I can give you some insight into nursing in northern CA and perhaps answers some of your questions.

1. Commuting in the bay area is an absolute nightmare- the worst traffic in the country. UCSF would be an awful commute with standstill traffic. Stanford is the local teaching hospital in Palo Alto but I am unsure if they are union. Bay area nurses are highly competitively paid, union or nonunion. Kaiser is notorious for paying higher wages. Parking is *usually* paid by the employee and can cost hundreds of dollars/month, so you will want ask that in your interview or ask a recruiter.

2. I personally would look for open positions or connect with nurse recruiters.

3. I can't give you an exact pay for a 2 year nurse but I'm going to estimate $45-50/hr (?). $85-100,000/year.

4. It is possible but it depends on how bad they are short on nurses right now. A night shift position is more likely to have a sign-on bonus or relocation. They don't pay for flights for interviews but you can write that off on taxes as a work expense.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma Resus, ACNP Student.

Oh, and I will add, I don't know of any Kaiser hospitals that are teaching hospitals. But don't quote me on that.

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