Moving to Los Angeles 2016

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Hello,

I am an RN in NYC with 6 years experience. Looking to move to Los Angeles later this year. Currently in the license process. Would love to get some feedback.

1. Travel gig vs. Permanent position (insurance/hospital housing not an issue)

-Housing stipend amount?

2. Travel Agency with great reputation in LA area?

3. I am in the peri-op field - UCLA, Cedars or CHLA? any other suggestions? I feel like those are the big 3 in LA.

-looking to hear ppls experience with these hospitals

4. Pay. Looking for a general idea of what an experienced RN makes out there. Here in NY salary is around $84,000 for a new nurse just starting out.

Thank you kindly in advance!

NurseMB94

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It all depends on where you're trying to live. St. Francis(Lynwood) is great and (from what I hear) they make the most out of all the the RNs in CA and from what I've been told from ED RNs, it's >110k (I definitely could be wrong, it's all word of mouth). LA is a HUGE county as well as being connected to OC and Riverside etc so you have options as far as what hospitals you'd like to work for and how far you'd like to commute.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.

You didn't say if you have a BSN or not. CA is tough, but with your six years of experience, you are in very good shape. From what I know the pay is better in northern CA, (I'm in SF Bay area) but it's good in LA area too. Depends on several variables. One of my daughters has been a traveler at Cedars after one year experience in NYC at Columbia/Presbyterian. She does have her BSN. After a little more than one year "traveling" in LA, she starts at UCLA with a per diem position next month. Hospitals with unions in CA can negotiate for excellent contracts. Hope some others who are more familiar with LA area can chime in here. Think you'll like California.

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Hi and thank you for commenting :)

I do have my BSN and since my husband is in the entertainment business we are a bit limited but open to westside neighborhoods like Brentwood, Westwood, and more north Sherman Oaks and then the east neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Echo Park. All really depends on where I get a job.

Boomer - Did your daughter like her travel agency she was working with?

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.

I'll ask her and get back to you soon with that name and maybe another.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.

The name of the travel agency is Novapro, and she likes them. Good luck!

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Very kind of you, thank you so much!

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