New Grad from New York wanting to move to California

Career Columnist / Author · Jul 18, 2017

Congratulations on passing your NCLEX!!

I find that dreams are doable when you're determined...and strategic.

I'm in the central valley, California, and we do hire new grads from other states.

The key is to make yourself stand out at every point in the process :) This I know from having reviewed hundreds of applications :)

Some new grad residency programs are open year round for application, some have narrow windows of application (Cedar Sinai typically opens up for 48 hours only).

You do not need to include your mailing address in your contact information.

I recommend you read

"Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job...and Your Next" It's chockful of insider tips and strategies, and written for someone just like yourself.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

allnurses Guide · Jul 18, 2017

Hello everyone. I have just graduated from a nursing program in New York in which I have earned my BSN. I graduated May 19, 2017 and took my NCLEX July 11,2017. I checked the quick results and have passed and am now just waiting for my license to come in the mail. I really wanted to move to California and transfer my license as soon as possible. Does anyone have any advice or experience in this area? I have no family in California but have dreamed of moving there after I had graduated nursing school. I'm just not sure if I apply to positions will they consider me if I have a New York address at the moment? Also would it be maybe better to start off as a travel nurse and if so what are some good California agencies to go with? Thank you!

Though I have lived here most of my life - I can't imagine anyone wanting to come to live in California. It's become a virtual toilet bowl of unnecessary litigious behavior, high taxes, 3rd highest cost of living in the country with some of the highest rents and home costs there are. I plan to leave 1st opportunity that comes up - but I promised my son I would stay until he leave for college in 3 years. Sure there are things I'll miss, beaches, mountains lots of good food etc.. but rush our traffic and some of the angriest self entitled people I have ever met, not so much.

Hope you find happiness here.

Hppy

Katya944, BSN · Jul 18, 2017

No I am listening Thank you for the response. But everyone has a different opinion and experience that's why this website is good for that. I would prefer to work in a hospital and if all else fails I'd work in the hospital of the school that I graduated from as they hire their Students fairly easily. However, before I do that I want I try to apply to as many hospitals as possible in Cali.

Katya944, BSN · Jul 18, 2017

Thank you for the response! What websites do you recommend that I look for new grad programs? So far I've just googled new grad programs and tried applying that way but I was wondering if there were specific hosptials they you'd know of? Thank you again! What specifically makes an applicant stand out from another? I mean I'm bilingual( Russian is my first language) but aside from that what else makes an out of state applicant stand out?

Katya944, BSN · Jul 18, 2017

Also, how does the interview process work for an out of state candidate? If called for an interview would the candidate fly out or would the interview be via Skype/online?

Thank you!

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

Also, how does the interview process work for an out of state candidate? If called for an interview would the candidate fly out or would the interview be via Skype/online?
Thank you!

You're going to have to fly yourself out, more than likely.

amzyRN · Jul 18, 2017

Also, how does the interview process work for an out of state candidate? If called for an interview would the candidate fly out or would the interview be via Skype/online?
Thank you!

Apply and see if you get an interview. That's the only way to know forsure. I wouldn't move out without a job in hand though.

DTWriter · Jul 18, 2017

OP,

It seems you are pretty determined about going to California.

As others mentioned, California is not easy place to find an appropriate job for a new grad. What would have happen if you do manage to find a job there only to have to leave the job after a couple of months for whatever reason? Would you be able to pay the rent as you search for a new job in California - and not just any job but a job that is appropriate for you? How would you compete against the other California job applicants with years of nursing experience? Do you even have a network in California?

Granted, no one (to my knowledge) can predict the future, but, realistically, moving to California at this time would be a risky move for a new grad.

lifeatthebluffs, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2017

I endorsed my license to CA 2 years ago and got a job as a new grad. In addition to license verification I had to submit all of my transcripts (and one of them twice). Also, while you are applying to places in California, don't let that stop you from applying to places in New York. As others have said, in certain places it can be very hard to get a job as a new grad. Most of the new grads who have started on our unit in the last three years (including me) either had precepted there or knew someone. If you don't already know basic medical Spanish start learning. Let me know if you have more questions. I grew up in California and live in norcal now, but have spent a lot of time in other parts of the state (and a little time out of state for nursing school).

onajourney · Jul 18, 2017

I moved to California as a new grad after graduating in May. I've been applying for new grad residency programs here since March and have just started getting interviews this month. These interviews have mostly been at outpatient surgical centers, SNFs, clinics, etc. I have my first hospital interview next week. You will have more luck applying with an in state address and once you have an active CA RN license. It is difficult finding an acute care position as a new grad. I had the opportunity to transition into an RN role in the ICU where I had been a tech. If I could redo things, I would have stayed and gotten my year of experience there before moving. Just my opinion, but if I were you I would get my year of experience where you are and then move.

Good luck with your decision.

onajourney · Jul 18, 2017

Thank you for the response! What websites do you recommend that I look for new grad programs? So far I've just googled new grad programs and tried applying that way but I was wondering if there were specific hosptials they you'd know of? Thank you again! What specifically makes an applicant stand out from another? I mean I'm bilingual( Russian is my first language) but aside from that what else makes an out of state applicant stand out?

In regards to what make an applicant stand outâ€¦

It's all about who you know and pure luck it seems. I have put out 100s of applications as a new grad. I have my BSN, a high GPA, PCT experience on an ICU, 10 recommendation letters, won an award at graduation, 100 ICU clinical hours, 100 ER clinical hours, 100+ volunteer hoursâ€¦. and I still haven't found a job in a hospital.

Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA · Jul 19, 2017

Congratulations on passing your NCLEX!!
I find that dreams are doable when you're determined...and strategic.
I'm in the central valley, California, and we do hire new grads from other states.
The key is to make yourself stand out at every point in the process :) This I know from having reviewed hundreds of applications :)
Some new grad residency programs are open year round for application, some have narrow windows of application (Cedar Sinai typically opens up for 48 hours only).
You do not need to include your mailing address in your contact information.
I recommend you read
"Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job...and Your Next" It's chockful of insider tips and strategies, and written for someone just like yourself.
Best wishes,
Nurse Beth

Sorry OP, I just want to ask Nurse Beth something. Do you accept private messages? I have a question for you about a class I'm in right now.