Planning to move to California...

caliotter3 · Dec 20, 2009

Work is hard to find nowadays in CA so you should be sure you have a job lined up before you move or you might find yourself in a bad situation.

romie · Dec 22, 2009

To reiterate what caliotter3 alluded to, DO NOT MOVE TO CALIFORNIA UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAVE A REAL JOB LINED UP! My own personal experience was a nightmare! I thought I had an agency RN job lined up but one month later I was still without work. I had three different agency jobs, had applied to over 30 hospital jobs in the bay area as far north as Coalinga and as far south as Riverside. Even though I would wake up every day with phone and email messages from recruiters, nothing panned out.

I left a good job halfway across the country, spent nearly every penny I own and don't even have a way to return to my old city. I went to CA with 2 months salary, a year of tele/med/surg experience, came from a top ranking nursing school with a scholarship and zilch.

I am still trying to analyze the hundreds of ways that I went wrong, but I know that I failed to take into account the recession, was overly confident in my ability to land a job.

Based on the numerous posts and various threads about CA nursing and job opportunities, your best bet would be to stay in your current position, cross train in different areas of nursing so that you can float, get as many certifications as you can and basically wait out this recession. Even then, you should physically visit the facility and ask questions.

I just don't want anyone else to end up in my situation. I really hope that you have much better luck than I did.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2009

I wouldn't make any plans to move to California unless you meet two specific conditions: (1) Possess at least 2 to 5 years of acute care experience, and (2) Already have a job lined up before moving out here.

Jobs are really hard to find in California right now, and many out-of-state new grads have flocked here with high hopes that became crushed due to their inability to find work.

romie · Dec 24, 2009

The commuter is absolutely right. I came to CA with high hopes despite the warnings and am now penniless and starting from scratch from my hometown after a botched move to CA. DO NOT MOVE TO CA unless you are a critical care nurse with 3-5 years experience and do not expect to land a job in a desirable beach city. You will be lucky if you can land a job in a state psych hospital with a very high turnover rate due to the high incidence of assault rates on nurses. I'm sorry to be a harbinger of bad news, but I am returning home with my tail tucked under my tail for the very same reason.

want2banurse35 · Dec 24, 2009

A friend of mine just moved back to GA after moving out here with no job. She couldnt find a RN job anywhere out here in the bay area. She thought that if she had a CA address and license it would make her find a job but it didnt:crying2:

bridogg98 · Dec 30, 2009

There are no jobs in the LA county area unless you have major critical care experience. I have 10+ years and I am a heart nurse...with 2 masters degrees. it was hard to get a full time job once all the travel positions disappeared. Please stay where you are unless you have something in writing! The pay is great here...much more than I made when I lived in Ohio, but my mortgage is triple!

If you are just worried about having to transport your own patient to CT and turn them without help, maybe you ought to re-think your position in healthcare. Ancillary personnel are expensive and hospitals are getting rid of them. You may actually have to work.

45whenimdone · Dec 30, 2009

I'm not a nurse yet, however, I do live in southern california near the beach, and just an FYI, Cost of living is WAY expensive here. Something also to consider...

Good luck!

romie · Dec 31, 2009

I think we've all given the OP sound advice. Don't be discouraged though, think of this as an opportunity to grow as an RN, get your certs in your specialty, and travel around CA a bit with your PTO to find places you like. The economy will brighten and the demand will be there once again and you will be wiser and much more marketable when the time comes.

ilovenursing2009 · Dec 31, 2009

I moved to CA and it was the dumbest thing I have ever done. DONT DO IT! There are no jobs here unless you have lots of experience and know someone to get you past HR.

Sorry for the bummer news....but pick another state. AZ and TX seem to have a lot more opportunities.

romie · Dec 31, 2009

ilovenursing2009,

As bad as I feel for your plight, the old saying "misery loves company" rings true! I too moved to CA, leaving behind a good 7A-7P hospital job, my husband leaving his good job only to be greeted with a barren world of joblessness. Now we are living with his parents in the midwest, penniless and trying to get back to square one. DO NOT MOVE to CA. I have made plenty of moves in my life--upstate NY, NYC, Chicago and all of them were great. CA was a disaster! Sure the weather was great but good weather does not pay bills or feed a family. It was the dumbest thing I have ever done and I keep playing over and over in my mind a scenario where I go back in time and stay in my old position. I'm trying to stay upbeat but it's very hard when your dreams blow up in your face.

ilovenursing2009 · Dec 31, 2009

romie,

Sorry to hear that happened to you. I am going to be in the same boat here in a couple months. I figure I am going to give myself until March then decide to make the move. Alone.... :crying2: My husband is in the military so he can't just up and move. I have family in a couple other states and if it comes to it I am going to move in with one of them. I really really dont want to have to do it, but it will just be until the job market turns around.

Good luck to you!