New Grad from New York wanting to move to California

NedRN · Jul 17, 2017

You need two years of specialty experience to travel. So write that off for now!

Ideally, you should have started looking for an internship last year. It will be difficult this time of year. But it may still be possible.

I highly recommend for all new grads to take their first job at a teaching hospital. That will start you on the right path in every possible way no matter what path you take in the future. The most comprehensive training on a diverse patient population will prepare you well for any future challenges.

There is a consortium of teaching hospitals. I graduated pre-internet and they sent me a gorgeous book of all their members with pictures, descriptions, and HR contact numbers. I graduated in California during an economic downturn and there were no jobs. So I called hospitals all across the country and took an interviewing tour of the country, accepting a job offer in Baltimore.

Do a google search, they are probably be online.

Try, but don't get hung up on a first job in California. It is a difficult new grad hiring environment currently. Your first job will be an exciting adventure no matter where you end up. Pay your dues for a couple years and options will open up.

Katya944, BSN · Jul 17, 2017

Thank you for your response! So if I apply to California jobs with a New York address will they still consider me? Also I wouldn't mind working in a different type of facility such as doctors office or long term health facility. I just really want to move to California as a new grad if possible of course

NedRN · Jul 17, 2017

Address shouldn't matter. But your first job is key. If you start out in a doctor's office, it will be much harder to do anything else. Start in the ICU or ED and you will have a brighter future and better compensation. Easy after that to work in a doctors office. Extra experience, especially in acute care, will make you a better and more valuable nurse in any future position. I'm rather surprised you didn't receive similar advice in school.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Jul 17, 2017

Thank you for your response! So if I apply to California jobs with a New York address will they still consider me? Also I wouldn't mind working in a different type of facility such as doctors office or long term health facility. I just really want to move to California as a new grad if possible of course

Bubble buster here. get a job where you can. slim pickenings in CA especially for out of state new grads. new grads leave to find work outside of CA. try washington state.

NedRN · Jul 17, 2017

Most new grads are not looking at LTC or doctor's offices. I could have done that when I graduated in California in a much worse hiring environment than today.

amzyRN · Jul 18, 2017

Even though the economy has improved for new grad nurses, it is still tough to get a job in a hospital straight out of nursing school unless you live in certain geographic areas. California is relatively saturated and even an experienced nurse is going to have a tough time finding a job and will often not get their first pick. I think you should go to a place where you can get good experience and stay for 2 years then go to an area where you want to stay long term. In CA, an out of state new grad has almost nil chance of getting a job in a hospital unless you know someone based on my observations here in northern CA. However, you might as well apply and see if you get an interview. You might get lucky, but don't come out unless you have a job in hand.

Argo · Jul 18, 2017

get a job where you can in a hospital specialty. Go anywhere. Get in 2 years then go where you want, you will make way more in CA and have a 100x better chance at a job with 1-2 years experience. As a new grad to a CA hospital you are a money hole for a solid year, they would rather hire an experienced traveler.

CardiacDork, MSN, RN · Jul 18, 2017

I second the motion of starting at a teaching institution. I work at a level 1 trauma teaching hospital. My experience is invaluable. I'm privileged to have completed a formal residency program that was one year in duration. If you can get yourself I to a teaching hospital, do it.

Heylove, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 18, 2017

I think it's possible, with a little creativity. It really depends on where you want to live. You may not be able to afford to live in the luxurious hills of Santa Monica that you've been dreaming of in California. The LA basin has so many hospitals (and also has sooo many nursing programs) that it's really not that difficult to find new grad programs. Bakersfield hospitals hired many of my classmates. Although it might not be considered the most desirable picturesque California location that you expected, it IS in California. As a born and raised California girl, I would rather be in Bakersfield right now than where I am! Working in home health would be a great way to at least get started while you find a new grad program.

Anyway, you would need to get started with California BRN now. They are notorious for being slow, unorganized and frustration-inducing. California Board of Registered Nursing Good luck!

Katya944, BSN · Jul 18, 2017

Thank you so much for that! I was really hoping for a good response to give me some hope because I really want to work there. And yes like you said it doesn't have be Santa Monica right away that can come with time. I just want to move there. Thank you again! By the way do you know the requirements for transferring licenses. My New York license still hasn't come in the mail

NedRN · Jul 18, 2017

The term is licensure by reciprocity. All that is needed in most cases including California is verification of your original license. Sometimes they fuss about a particular class or clinical, but not for New York graduates. In your case, verification is usually done online through a Nursys check, and if you can now go to NY BON and your license status is issued and valid, you are good.

It doesn't sound like you are listening to what we are saying though. What is so important about going to a state with a very high cost of living and taking a bad paying job like LTC or doctor's office that cannot wait two years? You might land a hospital job that pays well in the Central Valley, but frankly, I'd rather work in Ohio (or New York) than live there. There is a reason they are so needy there and 100 plus degree days for much of the year is one reason. You really should have some language skills there as well with a large Spanish speaking population.