Moving from MI to CA - need advice!

Nurses General Nursing

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Help guys! I'm torn. My boyfriend and I are moving to California in May. Not sure what part of CA just depends on where he gets a job since he is a new grad. I am currently with a travel company as a med surg nurse. So my question, should I get a travel assignment out there first and then look for a staff position since I want to make the transition to critical care OR just look for a staff position right away as soon as I figure out where we're going? I'm not sure how difficult it would be to look for a job across country and changing specialties at the same time. Would love to pick your brains! Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I would think it would be easier all around for you to look for a travel nursing assignment in the area in which your boyfriend gets his job. You'll have a place to live and a job -- the two of you will then have a base from which to look for housing (in a neighborhood which you'll have time to drive through and investigate). You'll also have a base from which to look for a job. If you like the hospital you end up in, you'll also have contacts. That's how I moved cross country from the west coast to the east. I didn't plan it that way, but it sure worked out well! Good luck! I like northern California better, but your milage may vary.

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Help guys! I'm torn. My boyfriend and I are moving to California in May. Not sure what part of CA just depends on where he gets a job since he is a new grad. I am currently with a travel company as a med surg nurse. So my question, should I get a travel assignment out there first and then look for a staff position since I want to make the transition to critical care OR just look for a staff position right away as soon as I figure out where we're going? I'm not sure how difficult it would be to look for a job across country and changing specialties at the same time. Would love to pick your brains! Thanks in advance!

It can take a VERY long time to get licensed in California. My advice is to start working on it now if you know you'll be moving there in May. And you don't say what type of new grad your boyfriend is, but if he's a new grad nurse, a lot of California markets can be very tough to break into.

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That's exactly the reason why I'm leaning towards traveling first, it'll be a much easier transition. Thanks for your input!

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I already received my CA license and he's working on his right now. We've done some research and saw there are new grad residencies available in select hospitals. Any idea how difficult it would be to get in one? Thanks for commenting!

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I already received my CA license and he's working on his right now. We've done some research and saw there are new grad residencies available in select hospitals. Any idea how difficult it would be to get in one? Thanks for commenting!

I used to live in a different state and we had MANY new grads from California there ....they were unable to find any job as a new grad in California, so they left the state. There are spots, they're just extremely competitive. Hopefully, he has a BSN. I stayed in my home state and got a few years of experience before moving here (to CA).

If you hit the "quote" button in the bottom right hand corner, people will know who you're responding to (although it's pretty obvious in this case).

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

California is one of the three top toughest markets in the US for new grad nurses.

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I used to live in a different state and we had MANY new grads from California there ....they were unable to find any job as a new grad in California, so they left the state. There are spots, they're just extremely competitive. Hopefully, he has a BSN. I stayed in my home state and got a few years of experience before moving here (to CA).

If you hit the "quote" button in the bottom right hand corner, people will know who you're responding to (although it's pretty obvious in this case).

Thanks! I'm new to this haha he does have a BSN. That's our back up plan if it doesn't work out at first. We're still keeping our fingers crossed though í ½í¸¬

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California is one of the three top toughest markets in the US for new grad nurses.

Where are the other two? Just curious.

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Where are the other two? Just curious.

Probably New York? I'm not sure about the third ..maybe Hawaii?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

New York and Colorado I believe

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If I was in your situation I'd try to get a travel assignment first so I could scope out the hospitals and spend more time looking for the critical care job, as well as researching where you're going to live/rent. Critical care jobs will always be there. You won't miss an opportunity by waiting until the end of your travel contract. Plus a travel contract might get you in to a hospital that you'll later want to be permanent.

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