New Grad moving from FL to CA

mclennan, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2013

Did you do any searches on this site regarding this? There are hundreds of posts about this very subject......but let me make it easy on you.....NO.

No one is hiring new grads, especially hospitals. I am on the hiring panel for my company and we do not hire new grads. I'm in L.A. and have been for 7 years. Major hospitals and even small companies are looking for BSN with 2-5 years experience. Even LTC/SNFs want experienced RNs ONLY. You might find a small HH company who'll give you a chance but they will exploit/work you to death. Most of them are scams.

Sorry, but it is the reality. I'm surprised at the naïveté of your question, to be honest. The market for new grads being near impossible is pretty common knowledge and very often talked about here and in the general media, on labor stats websites. It's such bad news it's MAKING the news. ESPECIALLY in SoCal, I think it's probably the absolute worst spot in the country now for new grads. Do more research & you'll see.

PhilipG · Jul 16, 2013

I graduated December 2012, and have been applying for jobs ever since I passed the NCLEX.

The usual rate of pay that I've seen in SoCal is at least $30. There is no bargaining. The ball is in their court. You have to accept that they're already investing a lot in us, so our rate will be lower during the training program.

The hospitals and organizations you listed DO have New Grad Programs. I know this because I recently applied to them. However, they are extremely competitive and happen in batches. For example, Cedars-Sinai just completed their round of applications for the summer cohorts. Each application was posted on a specified date, and only a certain number of applicants were accepted for each posting (250, 150, 150, 100, respectively). Once the limit was reached, the posting came down. Keck had thousands of applicants; they required essays, and letters of rec., but were only hiring something around 45 people. UCLA is currently conducting interviews from the 2000 applicants, and the next application won't post until Winter. Memorial Care is an organization of multiple hospitals in SoCal, so look at the other hospitals, but the Long Beach Memorial and Saddleback applications were only up for a couple days. So, really, keep an eye on the hospitals you're interested in. Some of the postings don't send out email notifications or post on job search tools like Indeed or Monsterjobs; that's where luck plays in.

Finding a job here in California is like getting into nursing school all over again. Clawing for the same jobs, hundreds and thousands of us apply for the same hospitals and positions.

I hope this helps.

PhilipG · Jul 16, 2013

Oh, and something else... most of the available jobs (even though there aren't too many) are in SoCal. But right now, focus on getting your degree and passing the NCLEX. Out of the numerous applications I've sent, more than half have been in SoCal.

lkws5 · Jul 16, 2013

PhilipG - I really appreciate your response! Most of my time and effort right now is going in to preparing for the NCLEX and getting that under my belt, but I also don't want to wait till the last minute to research what places seem to be available for new grads. I figure looking five months ahead is enough time :) I'm sorry that you've been applying for this long! I've heard of some people who are 18 months from passing the NCLEX and are still having trouble finding jobs. Good luck! I hope you get something soon!!

lkws5 · Jul 16, 2013

mclennan - I've done research but I guess I just wanted to ask for myself. Haha, I'm naive because I'm new. Searching for a job in this field is a completely new world for me. (I worked in advertising before this.) I have seen a lot of posts about people having trouble finding jobs, and I know the market is probably saturated in California. I guess, again, I just wanted to actually post the question for myself. Sometimes a new person will respond with information that wasn't on any of the other discussion boards. But thank you for your response, it's helpful to know that it's going to be difficult to find a position if we do end up relocating.

zzbxdo · Jul 17, 2013

Yes the market is near impossible in California, that said LA/orange county has the most new grad programs. No you have no bargaining privileges, many would kill for low/non paying position just for experience and getting their foot in the door. The UCs pay scales are online based on years of service and experience. If you move with your hubby anticipate that your family may be on a single income for possibly years. There is a reason why many new grads leave out of state to the middle of nowhere, for a job and to gain that needed couple years of experience.