New Nurse Guidance- California

Sour Lemon · Dec 2, 2016

I need help! I am a new registered nurse in located in Northern California (San Fran and Sacramento area). I currently hold an ADN degree but will be awarded my BSN in June. I am in desperate need of advice on how to get a job! it seems this area is over populated with new nurses and it has been very challenging and discouraging. Please help!!

Your best bet is probably going to be to move. Not only is the area saturated with new nurses, but with experienced nurses, as well.

guest908299 · Dec 3, 2016

I don't think you automatically need to move. I know plenty of new grad RNs with jobs in the Sacramento area.

I know of at least a few hospitals in the Northern California area that will only hire (or give much higher priority) to BSN over ADN nurses, so getting your BSN will certainly be helpful in the hunt!

Look into areas directly outside of Sacramento and the Bay Area as well - think Vacaville, Fairfield, Vallejo, Stockton, and more rural areas up North (eg. Auburn Faith, Marshall Medical Center in Placerville, Sierra Nevada Memorial, etc).

atorres0509 · Dec 3, 2016

Moving isn't an option since I am a military family we will be here for a few years. Thank you for your help!

caliotter3 · Dec 3, 2016

Extended care home health can be more forgiving about providing jobs in that area, but if one takes such a job to get started, they need to remain proactive in pursuing other nursing opportunities. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) at one time was known as being favorable to hiring military spouses (Ft. Ord). Don't know how it is today. Some nurses get jobs in somewhat out of the way areas, but live elsewhere. They stay in the area of the job for their scheduled shifts, then go home for their time off. So, it might be worthwhile to think outside of the box for that first job.