Sinead375

Recently while interviewing in the Bay Area here in sunny California I have received offers of $35.00 per hour for CICU/MSICU new grad trainging program. Other Hospitals told me because I have an interim permit at the moment they would not offer me an ICU training post, instead they (Southern CA) offered me a med/surg post for 1 year and then their ICU training course. I wonder is this because they have not met their Med Surg ratios? Certain hopsitals won't even interview interim permitees for their new grad training programs. Do some hospitals generally not employ nurses with interim permits which makes me wonder why issue interim permits then? I am considering two offers at the moment from two of the best hospitals in the area one is offering med/surg the other is offering an ICU training program. Why the discrepancy?? why do some hospitals not employ interim permitees (even though their website says otherwise) and other hospital will gladly accept an interim permitee into the heart of their ICU? Any thoughts/experiences welcome! Also is it common for new grads to go straight into an ICU setting? Anyone in the Bay Area that I could exchange emails on the subject of choosing one of two great hospitals? Thanks Sinead

Recently while interviewing in the Bay Area here in sunny California I have received offers of $35.00 per hour for CICU/MSICU new grad trainging program. Other Hospitals told me because I have an interim permit at the moment they would not offer me an ICU training post, instead they (Southern CA) offered me a med/surg post for 1 year and then their ICU training course. I wonder is this because they have not met their Med Surg ratios? Certain hopsitals won't even interview interim permitees for their new grad training programs. Do some hospitals generally not employ nurses with interim permits which makes me wonder why issue interim permits then? I am considering two offers at the moment from two of the best hospitals in the area one is offering med/surg the other is offering an ICU training program. Why the discrepancy?? why do some hospitals not employ interim permitees (even though their website says otherwise) and other hospital will gladly accept an interim permitee into the heart of their ICU? Any thoughts/experiences welcome! Also is it common for new grads to go straight into an ICU setting? Anyone in the Bay Area that I could exchange emails on the subject of choosing one of two great hospitals? Thanks Sinead

Are you applying through a work visa?I spoke with immigration services last week and they told me there is a 11 month back log so be prepared for a long process. Are you BSn or Diploma? If you are moving to California you will need to sit the NCLEX. check out http://www.immigration.gov you can download all the forms etc and the California Board Of Nursing website http://www.rn.ca.gov San Diego is a good place if you have kid(s) quite surburbia with great schools and great beaches. You will be shocked at house prices and rentals in comparison to UK, you will be delighted at the cost of petrol, and cars. You'll love the availability of really good non expensive food. For example a three bedroom two and half bathroomed condo (semidetached house) is $355,000 in Southern California although there are great tax benefits to buying your own home so I'm told. In San Francisco Bay Area a two bedroomed two bathroomed apartment will set you back $1760 minimum per month. There is an abundance of jobs similiar to back in uk, although new grads have more of a choice here. More opportunity to go on to graduate training. Oh and you will love the increase in salary from £17,000 or $25,000 per year to from between $52,000 and $66,000 per year to start. Cost of living is reportedly higher but I find it more or less equivalent to Southampton area cost of living. Not to mention a healthier work environment and not having to wear those silly NHS uniforms. Hope this helps, Sinead

Recently I applied to Sharp, their immigration lawyer call me up in case I needed help!!! very nice of them I thought. Perhaps they would help sponsor you or something. My husband is American and a lawyer so I'm fortunate that he sorted all that stuff out for me. I have not sat the NCLEX yet, congratulations on passing well done!!! What is your staus here in the USA are you here legally if so why can't you get a SSN? I have interviewed without a license, I have my interim permit, I have found generally that hospitals are quite helpful especially Sharp. Contact some hospital HR departments some of them do sponsor people some hospitals do not. You have passed your NCLEX so thats a huge bonus, it would be in the hospitals best interest to help sponsor you . Best of luck, Sinead

The above is very useful information. I am thinking of sitting the NCLEX end of Febuary between selling our house, relocating to Bay Area (yipee!) and starting new job (hopefully)-I should be able to get six weeks study done and maybe a Kaplan review course just to be sure. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Happy New Year, Sinead

Thanks for the good advice! Regarding nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis....I'm used to using integrated care pathways in the UK ..how do US nurses use care plans at ward/unit level ...are there pre printed care plans ... I would appreciate it if anyone could give me a description of how nursing careplans documentation etc is utilised on the floor. Thanks Sinead

Is there much in the way of Paeds/Midwifery in the NCLEX? my nursing program (Ireland) only briefly touched these subjects. Should I look at these areas? I am using Kaplan and Princeton review books with CDS. Kaplan teaches tecnique and Princeton reviews nursing program content both are excellent. I will probably do the KAplan NCLEX review course too. Also I was wondering what textbooks do BSN students use? If anyone has a list of books they found helpful while studying for their BSN could they let me know? : ) Thanks Sinead

Hi there! I just moved from Southampton to California, its absolutely great! Beats being paid £17000 per year ...Initially I moved to San Diego because thats where my husband lived now we are in the Bay Area....great place, although house prices will shock you...but then petrol prices are less than half, I didnt note where you are living in the UK...but the minute you arrive you'll need a car, its cheaper to rent than buy, which is odd coz its the reverse in the UK. Have you contacted the California Board of Nursing regarding your transcripts etc? currently they informed me there is a 5 month delay in processing applications due to lack of staff!! hilarious considering the nursing shortage?! Regards Sinead