RNLeavingTheOC

No, it is not hard to find a job in OC, even as a new grad. While you are in school try to find a student worker job to get your foot in the door. I got my first RN job by applying for a CNA position at a smaller hospital in north OC, the unit manager saw that I was graduating and had applied for my RN-IP license. I was floored when she called to interview me for a RN position that I didn't even apply for! That was back in 1994 when RN jobs for new grads were very difficult to find-no new grad training programs, no way a new grad could jump into a specilaty, low starting pay. Looking at the job ads in Nurseweek and the OC Register it seems a new grad these days has the world of opportunity to explore. Be resourceful when you are ready to find your first RN position. Many hospitals have walk-in days where you can go see the nurse recruiter and have new grad luncheons. Talk to your classmates who have recently graduated, they can be a valuable resource about the new grad market. Down in South OC area you have many facilities that are worth looking into. Good luck to you.

Graduated CSUF class of 2003 in the ADN to BSN option. I started back on a part time basis in 1999 and finished Spring 2003. I would absolutely recommend the program and the school. The professors were very supportive, showed interest in what they were instructing and genuinely cared for you as a person. During the program duration I managed to work full time as an ICU/ER nurse, had a baby, bought and sold 2 homes, and got divorced-so yes you can manage life and the CSUF program. The curriculum can be challenging at times-online, papers, group projects, internships etc.-but if you have good organizational skills and motivation you can be successful. Walking up to the podium at graduation and getting that degree is such a gratifying experience. If I still lived in the state I'd go back and do the MSN program.

I know this is off the subject of this forum but check Bank of America website-mortgage loans programs link. By the way-I am here in Arkansas now!

Stacy, Follow my posts that I have placed on the Arkansas forum. I am moving there on Monday 2/20/06 from the Fullerton area of So Cal. I know very well where you are coming from when you wonder if you will ever be able to afford a house out in Ca, especially when the median home price is over $600K's. I found a great mortgage loan program for nurses and will buy a house out in AR right away. Since you have friends out there you could always take a travel assignment to AR, see how you like it and maybe make the move and get out of California. I have been planning my move for two years now and only have a few days to go. Good luck and I'll let you know how things work out for me.

Easier said than done, in the middle of packing and tying up loose ends here in CA before leaving for AR, so much to do with so little time. Besides when I get there I want to start networking with other Arkansas nurses, taking a class I figure is a great way to get started.

Thanks for your reply! I'll soon find out about my pay...leaving CA on Feb 20th!

Any good PALS classes up in the Jonesboro, Mtn. Home, Bateville area? I am in need of recert (will most likely just take the whole class again for review). I could drive down to Ark Childrens if need be. Ideally I am looking for classes in March/April/May. Any info is appreciated! If anyone has followed my previous posts I will be leaving CA on Feb 20th!

I am still in CA, not in Arkansas untill this summer. But it will be a nice change of "everything" from So Cal. The pay rate I got quoted for a hospital 3 hrs north of Little Rock was about what I had expected, not to bad for me. But the key is the lower cost of living. I know that in Little Rock you can probably make more and have more variety of positions as a RN and of employers to choose from. Look at the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website-they have links to their publications and you can find current job ads and other Arkansas nursing issues. Thanks for your reply as well! C-Ya in the Ozarks!

I did get my salary answer by asking one of the hospitals in the area I am relocating to. The pay rate is very acceptable considering AR has a much lesser cost of living compared to CA.

WC is a tough field to be in I agree, sometimes I would get so frustrated with the adjuster too! I also know how poorly a PHN gets paid, its a wonder they can even staff those positions. Funny how when I was a staff nurse I would dream of being a "desk" nurse-now I dream of what else I could do. Down your way by Temecula you would have numerous opportunities with the new home industry. Every Sunday in the OC Register I read the new home section-so many new developments at attractive prices--prices that nurses could afford. Luckily as nurses we have the flexibility to go part time while pursuing other interests.

I totally know where you are coming from in regards to WC. My experience in WC was out here in CA, where 99.9% of my cases were litigated. I was going to be a field case manager but three weeks before I was going to make the transition from telephonic I asked my boss how the billing and salary worked-it was revelaed that I would make $5grand less but be able to bonus and make as much as I wanted (in other words how much I wanted to fluff my accounts)...that was it-I got an offer making more working for one of the Medi-Cal health networks doing transplant CM, still telephonic though. Burnt through that real quick-basically was a messenger in that role. Now I am working for a hospital based medical IPA group-we basically process the referrals for the PCP's and specialists. We cover members of several big name HMO's in our region. Its very interesting and great way to learn ambulatory care-especially if you want to be a NP someday. I use Milliman and Interqual for review criteria. There is no interaction with members, only the health plan, and the medical team. If I want to I can mini-manage a case or two short term, maybe help with a complex out of network referral or something. Hardest part of the job is the denial language and timelines. Other than that its a piece of cake. The ICU is a great place to work if you can juggle tasks and prioritize. You may only have two patients but you will be busy between them both most of your shift. Investigate into Critical Care training pograms your local or regional hospitals may be starting up, usually in the spring or fall. A great chance to jump into that specialty. As ICU you will typically make more, at least here in CA. Thanks for your response

I too am having the same issue of staying in case management or going back to clinical nursing. I have about 3 yrs CM behind me and before that 7 yrs of ICU/ER. I got very tired of telephonic WC CM and switched to a utilization review position at a great hospital system. My advice would be to maybe try a different type of CM before completely going clinical. As far as the 12hr shifts go, you either love them or not-but time off during the week when you have worked M-F for years is priceless. In my situation I am moving to Northeastern Arkansas in June 2006. I may have to go back to the bedside if I cant find a local CM job. That means recert of BLS, ACLS, PALS or do I finally take my CCM...decisions, decisions! Good luck!

Thank you Nursediz for your response! Any insight is helpful!

Hello all, Moving to NE/NC AR in July '06 from SoCal/OC. I know to expect a lower pay than what I make in CA but not sure how much. (I have 10 yrs RN experience, a BSN and mostly have worked ER, ICU and case mgmt) I dont see very many ads for RN case managers so I am considering positions in ERs or public health. Any RN salary info would be great-doesn't have to be specific about your pay but maybe what you have heard or know for fact. Also can anyone explain how the WEO works? Thanks fellow future co-workers!:)

Hello! I am moving to Arkansas in July 2006. My in-laws live in Horseshoe Bend so ideally I need to stick around that area or anywhere between Mountain Home and Jonesboro. I have been a California RN for 11 years, have a BSN, Public Health Nurse Certificate and have had my AR RN license already. I am currently working in HMO utilization review dept for a large medical center/group in my area-probably comparable to St. Bernard's in Jonesboro. Hopefully I can find a similar position but I would love to work in a public health role or go back to ER nursing. Any advice about working in AR that I should know of? (Other than pay rate) Would love to hear from seasoned RNs or student RNs. PS-I just got back from a trip to AR a week ago and my arm is so tired from waving at everybody driving by!