Relocating to California

[africanbelle]

Could you wonderful nurses give me some input about raising a child as a single mom in California. I am considering moving from the south to California this summer but have no family there. Are most hospital shifts 8 or 12 hours? In my current state pretty much all shifts are 12 hours except for OR AND GI lab which makes it hard to find day care. Also which cities/ neighborhoods are the best to raise kids and still not too expensive. I appreciate all your input and suggestions.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. Without family to help, childcare in CA is staggeringly expensive.

2. Even nurses with years of specialized experienced are having difficulty finding employment in CA. Which part of the state did you want to relocate to?

[africanbelle]

Honestly, I don't even know. I was considering it because from what I have heard the shifts are mainly 8 hours which is the opposite of what it is down south. My child will be starting preschool so I was hoping the child are issue wouldn't be that bad.

[africanbelle]

*child care

[africanbelle]

I was thinking about travel nursing to check it out, but it seems to take forever to get a Cali nursing license.

[zzbxdo]

Most bedside acute care jobs are 12hrs though not all. California is too big to bother offering suggestions, you're gonna have to research and narrow it down. Landing a job is based on your years of experience, education, and some luck.

[africanbelle]

I have always heard that they have mainly 8 hour shifts on the hospital and a maximum of 4 patients. I guess that's why it's good to ask people who actually live and work in California. Thanks again for taking time to answer my questions.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

I live and work in CA and hospital jobs are standard 12 hour shifts like anywhere else. Yes, there are patient ratio laws here that restrict the number of patients assigned to floor nurses per shift, but it is really only enforced in unionized facilities, which are few and rarely have open positions.

The job market here is probably the worst in the country. Unless you have a BSN or MSN, years of experience in a very specific specialty that is growing, and lots of board certifications after your name, I would strongly recommend you stay away. I have been here 8 years, worked in hospitals, clinics, public health and case management, and now am a member of my company's hiring panel. We often get 500+ applicants for one position.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

And, if you are thinking of Southern Cali, and are a single mom with no social support, I guarantee you will struggle unnecessarily here. Rents are SHOCKINGLY HIGH and climbing, and wages are not keeping up. I'm trying to help a friend find an apartment right now in L.A. & my jaw DROPS at the prices. Do your own Craigslist search.....but keep in mind anywhere reasonably safe and clean - in some areas in L.A., it's surrounding communities or San Diego - a one room studio in a crowded apartment building is running $1600-$2000/mo. Usually without parking or laundry. Also, be prepared for your required-by-law car insurance to triple in price and be ready to shell out $4+/gallon at the pump for your hour long commute that is only 8 miles.

Fair warning

[africanbelle]

Wow!!! Thank you so much mclennan! I didn't realize it is that hard to find a job in California. I have a BSN with 3 years med-surg experience but am looking to get into mother-baby or public health. I live in a very good neighborhood in a two bedroom apartment in Georgia and pay $950 a month and can't imagine paying close to $2000 for a studio. I truly appreciate you taking the time to warn me lol.

[africanbelle]

I can clearly see California is not the place for a single mom with no social support.

[cecilbee1]

Africanbelle I am in the same boat as you, except I do have some family out there. I am relocating with my children in July. I think it is possible for you, if it's really what you want to do!