NEW GRAD Having a hard time getting finding a job.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Nov 4, 2014

move to another state?

Wave Watcher · Nov 4, 2014

Have you thought about school nursing, home health, clinics, health department, prison nursing, workers comp case worker? Just trying to think outside the box. :-)

LovinLife28 · Nov 4, 2014

Unfortunately, California has one of the highest unemployment rates for new grads. I have friends that graduated last year and they still do not have jobs. A few of them are working in SNF. The others are "still looking." Two of them applied to out of state and both were hired into their specialties of choice, ER and Labor & Delivery. Good luck, hope you find something soon.

Wave Watcher · Nov 4, 2014

Unfortunately, California has one of the highest unemployment rates for new grads. I have friends that graduated last year and they still do not have jobs. A few of them are working in SNF. The others are "still looking." Two of them applied to out of state and both were hired into their specialties of choice, ER and Labor & Delivery. Good luck, hope you find something soon.

I hate to hear this. I assume California does not have a compact license for nurses? Positive note...it is usually not hard to apply and receive a license from another state. I have applied to 2 different states and one was the Virgin Islands and my cost never did exceed $200 and was approved within 2-4 weeks.

RunBabyRN · Nov 4, 2014

It's really tough. I live in NorCal as well, and most of the calls I've received are from Bakersfield or San Luis Obispo, places like that. Think outside the box, or even outside of the state. You'll need to apply for a license in those states to look for work, most likely. We were going to visit Reno so I could apply to NV.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2014

I'm not sure what to do at this point. I really don't want to go to a SNF.

Beggars cannot be choosers. If the hospital systems are not calling, and you have no plans to relocate to a state with a better nursing job market, you really cannot afford to turn your nose up at SNF job opportunities.

caliotter3 · Nov 4, 2014

SLO is not undesirable, unless you are looking for the big city life or less than perfect weather. As a matter of fact, it is very desirable to retirees who leave SF or LA to live near the coast. That is the major reason why the cost of living is so disproportionate to the available work in that immediate area.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 4, 2014

I hate to hear this. I assume California does not have a compact license for nurses?

Correct. CA is a non-compact state. But even if it were a compact state, that fact wouldn't change the horrendus new grad unemployment rate.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Nov 5, 2014

Its hard across the board, and Northern California is one of the worst places in the US to find a job because of high salary. You are competing with experienced people across the country. Try the hospitals in little cities. Marysville, eureka. Less people means higher chance of a hit. Every facility, SNFs included are hard to snag jobs up here. Try long term acute cares, etc.

you have got to look everywhere in this market or you will remain jobless.

13grad71 · Nov 5, 2014

I would have snapped up a job at an SNF if the opportunity opened. In California, we new grads can't be too choosy. It's better working in a home care or SNF than an old new grad with no job. Just saying...

SweetCorn · Nov 14, 2014

San Luis Obispo

I'd snap that one up. Great place to live even if it is rather remote. Cal Poly is located there, fantastic climate, surfing, coast mountains, good food and wine, no traffic like LA or Bay Area. I'd pick that over Drain-o (Reno) any day.