Relocating to CA

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

The new grad unemployment in CA is 43 percent, which translates into almost 1 out of every 2 new grads unemployed in the state. The San Jose area is one of the most glutted areas in the state.

I personally would not make the move, but good luck with whatever you decide.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Also, CA is an expensive place to live--the cost of living is pretty high. Unless you have the money to fund a CA lifestyle for the 6-12 months (or more) that it'll probably take you to find work, I wouldn't move out here without an official job offer in hand.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I'm a new graduate from New Jersey...

According your posting history, you are no longer a new grad. You have had an RN license since December 2011, but have never practiced as an RN, and instead you enrolled directly into a BSN degree completion program.

I know I may sound like a negative Debbie Downer, but in northern California's ultra competitive nursing employment market, recruiters and HR managers are suspicious of candidates who have possessed RN licensure fur several years without utilizing it. The overwhelming majority of new grad programs require one's RN license to have been issued less than one year ago. Yours was issued in 2011...

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

For one hospital I work at, it's within 18 months. For the other, I'm not sure but I think it's 12. And going RN-BSN doesn't reset the new grad timer for either.

shaas, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Hi, mcabreza.

Whether you are a new grad or not in technicality, the job market in both NorCal and SoCal are supersaturated (meaning it cannot even adequately accommodate our own new grads here). Moreover, is a huge surplus of BSN and even MSN-RN who are new grads that are struggling to find employment. It takes anywhere from 3 months (if you have connections and know someone) to 18 months (getting a job on your own without any pull) to land a first job for a new grad here.

Please, keep this mind that a lot of the hospitals hire based on your preceptorship or clinical orientation there, so as a transplant and a new grad without any experience, I am not too sure if the employment outlook is viable for you. Your moving is entirely dependent on your discretion, but I suggest you gather as much data and information as possible if you are solely moving here for your first nursing job.

Anyhow, good luck and march on!

Shaas

RunBabyRN · Jun 14, 2014

I agree with everything that's been said. The job market in the Bay Area is REALLY tough, and the big hospitals in the San Jose are don't often hire new grads or inexperienced nurses. If you haven't yet obtained any nursing experience, and you've been licensed since 2011, NO ONE will hire you in CA. They will wonder what the problem is that's kept you from working as a nurse.

The cost of living in San Jose is astronomical. My sister-in-law lives down there in a nice normal house on a TINY lot, and it was almost $1m a couple of years ago (not during the housing boom).

I would strongly recommend you gain experience back home, and line up a job before you move out here.

mcabreza · Jun 16, 2014

I've decided to get experience in NJ first then relocate next year or two years from now. Still hoping that will increase my chances of getting employed in California! Thank you for the info about unemployment rates there!

mcabreza · Jun 16, 2014

Will work in NJ/NY first then perhaps relocate a year or two from now! Thanks for the tip!

mcabreza · Jun 16, 2014

Thank you for the tip! My license was issued in 2012. I am currently working at a surgery center since April. Plan on getting experience in NJ/NY first then relocate! I think that is a better plan! :)

mcabreza · Jun 16, 2014

Thank you! Will get experience in NJ/NY first then maybe relocate after a year or two!

mcabreza · Jun 16, 2014

Thank you for the tip! This is what I will do for now, will get experience here in NJ/NY first then relocate! I don't need to move right away anyways but eventually I will, so will def be in the lookout for opportunities in CA!