Nursing Outlook in San Diego for career changer with an ADN

[Ellemgray]

Hi!

I am considering a career change from business/project management to nursing. I'm based in San Diego and I'm curious about a couple of things..

I have my MBA but I'd like to take the affordable route so I'd like to get my associates first, take the NCLEX and then do a bridge BSN. Does anyone think I would be at all employable as an ADN who is working on her BSN?

also, is the job market so bad in San Diego that I'll be fighting an uphill battle?

I am currently taking my prerequisites and volunteering but won't be applying to nursing school til next summer.

Any advice would be so appreciated !

[justwanttohelp12]

I was told that the San Diego market was hypersaturated with new grads with BSN who are having trouble locking down a new grad position. I would think it's even more difficult for someone with an ADN and considering you won't start nursing school until Summer 2018 -- the job market would only be tougher when you get licensed. Is it impossible to get a job? No, but you can't be picky and you might have to start off at a SNF while you work on your BSN. I guess you will have to factor in opportunity cost and calculate how much that is worth to you.

[shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP]

There is a lot of negativity on this forum regarding finding a job anywhere. All the major hospitals in San Diego County have new grad training programs and a lot of the smaller hospitals do, too. Someone is getting those jobs! As a new grad, you should be somewhat flexible, though. There are more job opportunities in the inland areas like Inland Empire, Central California, etc., so you might have to get a job there initially and then once you have some experience, move back to San Diego.

[Ellemgray]

There really is! I have read a number of responses that make me think getting a job will be impossible.

Looking inland for my first job is great advice, thank you

[sarahcharlie]

I wanted to add something as a new grad. I personally have my BSN but I have friends that are ADN. It really depends on where in nursing you want to go. ADN it is harder to get a new grad hospital job. However, there are certain hospitals that will gladly take you (Paradise Valley and Alvarado I know take a lot of new grad nurses, ADN or BSN), you may not get the department you want initially but transferring is possible after 1-3 years (department dependent). There are also many SNFs, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities , and other institutions that will gladly take a new grad with an ADN. Flu clinic jobs are also easy to get, I hear, but these are temporary jobs only for flu season but will get you some experience.

[Ellemgray]

Thank you so much for your insight. It's really helpful to know which hospitals may take ADNs. Did you get a job fairly quickly after getting your BSN?

[sarahcharlie]

Yes, but I took the first job offered. I was living somewhere else and desperately wanted to move back to San Diego, I could really only do that with a job. I was hired at Paradise Valley Hospital. I was hired with many people who were ADNs. This was less than a year ago.

[Ellemgray]

So helpful! Thank you for sharing your experience