RN Grad looking for a RN opportunity in California

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Hi, I'm a RN grad and passed my NCLEX in October 2009. I've been searching for a RN position in Houston, but I have been unsuccessful. I've applied for the June 2010 Internships but if I don't make it in June, then I'd have to wait until Jan 2011. I've been applying to all types of facilities and I get the same response, "you have less than a year experiece" or "you need to apply to our intern program." My wife and I are getting frustrated and thinking about relocating to California. We've been talking about moving there for quite some time. We're looking toward the Berkeley, San Fran, or even Oakland area. I am looking for a permanent full-time position. Are there any hospitals in that area that would hire a RN grad? Please point me to the right direction. Thank you

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Specializes in ED.

From reading on these forums, it sounds like Nor Cal is pretty saturated. There are new grad programs all over, but the number of positions open appear to be far fewer than the number of those applying. I would even chance it in saying you would probably have more luck in Houston than here in CA. There are a few threads on here that discuss New Grad programs in CA. Do a search, I'll try and post another message with a few that I find. Good luck!

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Specializes in ED.

Here is the 2009 one, that continues on to 2010.

https://allnurses.com/california-nurses/californias-2009-new-389301.html

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There are many nurses, new grads and experienced alike, who move out of CA to get work. The SF Bay area is the worst for jobs. Try if you must, but don't make the move until, and if, you get a job offer. I can tell you from experience, your savings won't get you very far in the Bay area.

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Maybe shift your search more inland in northern Ca, say Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Ca, Rideout Memorial and Freemont Hospitals in Yuba City/Marysville area, and Mercy Medical Center further north in Redding, Ca. Also dont forget to look at the Veterans Administration openings on www.usajobs.com for a new grad RN position as well. A central zip code for these areas on usajobs would be withing 100 miles of 95953. I to am a new grad and had to move out of CA right after graduation in May 2008. I have heard that the jobs have slowed there somewhat, but it is worth some more searching. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

the hospitals in redding just layed off a couple hundred nurses last year. No hiring right now.

Most of the VA hospitals in California are not hiring new grads right now, many just began to hire experienced nurses again.

The Bay Area is literally the worst place for a new grad to be searching for a job. I graduated from an RN program up there, ....in 1/09. I still have many classmates who do not have jobs. And these had been LVNs with many years of hospital experience. Most of their own hospitals could not even hire them back.

Definitely do not move if you do not have a job lined up.

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I'm from Northern California and I must say, it's tough out here! It's saturated enough that only few hospitals are hiring right now. Few people make it over the New Grad Residencies. I believe there are lots of oppurtunities out there at Texas. Several friends have moved over your area. Methodist Houston is I think currently hiring. Also, Memorial Hermann are considering applicants for June. Would you like to relocate any farther than Houston area? There are positions open for RN Staff I at Woodland Heights at Lufkin Texas. Thought you might wanna consider that. It's a small town though. Two hours away I think from Houston. Goodluck! Keep us posted.

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Try if you must but honestly don't get your hopes up. If you can't find work in Houston, you will not find work in CA especially in the Bay Area as a new grad. If you have experience, its a different story. Don't make the move unless you have something lined up. High salaries here will be offset by cost of living. San Jose>>>>>>Houston in terms of real estate pricing.

Good luck.

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michigan has plenty of openings

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As someone who lives in the Bay Area I would say that coming to the Bay Area would be a bad idea. You may want to try another state where they're hiring new nurses. I heard that South Texas is hiring new nurses. Stay away from the Bay Area, I don't want to discourge you because it's very beautiful here but right now there aren't any jobs for nurses unless you have several years experience. Good Luck

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I live in Berkeley and work in San Francisco. Please do NOT move your family out here by any means. Yes, it is a lovely place, but there are NO JOBS for new grads, and the cost of living is unbelievably high. I would advise against it even if it were just you alone thinking of relocating, but to bring your family out here would be inviting ruin.

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