Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't know what to do. I feel trapped and anxious.
I'm 6 months post-grad in Southern California. I've have been applying to jobs in CA for the past 2 months with no responses so far. Due to tight finances, I thought I'd get a part time job at Starbucks. I just finished my second week training and found out the scheduling is very inflexible for first 90 days. I can't make my schedule nor can I request days off. Which means a lot of my time is devoted to not applying to nursing jobs. Am I making a wrong career move by working at Starbucks and further delaying my entry into nursing? I don't have any nursing prospects so this job is bringing in some financial help. But I fear that soon I'll be a stale new grad and stuck making coffee.
Stay at Starbucks and put in less effort into applying to nursing jobs. OR. Quit Starbucks after just two weeks and commit fully to nursing job hunt but minimal finances. I need to make a choice very soon. Any input would be very helpful. ty.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
If you have an option to apply in other states, I'd do that. That's what I finally did. I waited too long to just do it though. I came back to CA with a good job.
Or start applying in a state like North Dakota where new grads are welcome. Everyone wants to live in California, so employers can afford to be picky.
Yeah, generally speaking any cities with winters where temperatures frequently get below -20F windchill are going to have a much more open job market! I live in one such city and all of our new grads still consistently get jobs within a few months.
The longer you're not working as a nurse after graduation, the greater the chance you will become a stale new grad. Keep your Starbucks job, but prioritize ... Seriously Prioritize ... your nursing job search on your time off.
I too am from Southern California and couldn't get a hospital job here. I sent out tons of applications. I had a fantastic resume, volunteer and CNA experience, a BSN, graduated with honors, had tons of certifications. I got fed up after almost 5 months of searching and applied out of state. I got 3 out-of-state phone interviews a week later. I received two job offers and picked the one with the better pay in New Mexico. I was offered nearly the same pay as my friends who got jobs in Southern California and in the department I wanted.
If you are from Southern California, I strongly suggest New Mexico. It's dry heat like here and the pay is great. They love new grads and the cost of living is SO cheap! Yes, it sucks to leave everyone behind and start fresh somewhere else but just think of it like this: Isn't it better to start working on that 1-2 years of hospital experience now, instead of staying and working at Starbucks for God knows how long, until you finally land a job here.
How long are you going to be looking in this area? Just move! I wish I would have applied out of state earlier. It can take some people more than a year to get a hospital job here. All that time could be spent working out of state and earning big $ and gaining that first year of experience! Go for it!!
I strongly suggest New Mexico. It's dry heat like here and the pay is great. They love new grads and the cost of living is SO cheap!
Which areas in New Mexico are good? I've long been interested in living somewhere out west, but find California very restrictive. I wouldn't be looking to move for a while, but I figure anywhere that's new grad friendly would probably also welcome a nurse with a few years under her belt :).
There are lots of nice cities in New Mexico. I'm not much of an expert on what areas are good but the surrounding cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe are nice in my opinion. If new grads can get jobs there, I see no reason why someone with several years experience couldn't. Good luck to you!
I waited tables full time and applied for jobs every moment of my free time. Gotta do what you gotta do to pay the bills. It'll pay off in the long run. Good luck!
I have been reading about how California is saturated with nurses for YEARS. I wonder why people don't research this stuff BEFORE they go to nursing school.
I live two hours from Las Vegas in Southern Utah (just a mere 5 hour drive from the Inland Empire in the OC), and my hospital needs nurses. They pretty much just hired every nursing grad from the three area nursing schools. Amazing company to work for (One of the top 25 companies to work for according to Forbes), decent pay, excellent management, innovative research and health care.
I do not know much about the Cali job market, but it sounds like it isn't good. Like the others have said, I would keep the Starbucks job and devote every non working or sleeping time to searching for a job. If you can consider relocating to a different state, I would consider it, there are plenty of jobs out there if you are able to relocate for awhile.
I'm not sure what makes you think that people don't research BEFORE going to nursing school. Knowing the type of people who get accepted and who are successful with nursing school..........trust me they know! Are you suggesting they should never have gone to nursing school, applewhitern?
Yes, Utah! Lot's of new grad nursing jobs there! Utah is also the safest state in the U.S., as it has the lowest rates of all types of crime. I interviewed for a position there too. Salt Lake City and Provo are great cities and have some of the top hospitals in the country. Don't be scared away by the Mormans, they are actually really kind and friendly people.
amzyRN
1,142 Posts
If you have an option to apply in other states, I'd do that. That's what I finally did. I waited too long to just do it though. I came back to CA with a good job.