RN Job hunt in San Diego/LA

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Hi everyone,

I graduated with Associate's in Nursing and have been working as a nurse for 2 years now. However, my current experience is in NICU and have been working 1 year and 3 months. How is the job prospect for RNs with Associate's and barely 2 years experience in critical care? I have been applying for jobs in San Diego area and it's been difficult to qualify for a job. Any advice is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

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You're gonna need your BSN to hop through the initial hurdle, or at least be in transition. Knowing people helps.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Not having your BSN is going to make it tough, as many places are BSN required or strongly preferred. If you can, enroll in a RN-BSN program so employers can see that you are in the process of obtaining it.

Also try to get your foot in the door any way that you can: nights, per-diem, via an agency/registry.

Best of luck.

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Thanks zzbxdo and Meriwhen. Do you know any good agencies in LA/San Diego area?

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There's several here in San Diego, I don't recall any of the names on top of my head. They work with travelers as well. We have 3 recent travelers and several are hired through out my facility. One is going ft, another is a free agent I'm trying to get to stay. We try to snatch floats if we like em.

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Thanks for your input. We have family in between San Diego and LA area. Trying to look for a job in that region but seems so competitive. How much of a difference would it make for enrolling in BSN? Also please do let me know if you recall any of the agencies. Thanks!

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The chances of getting into a major system are next to none without a BSN. It's way too desirable out here. When I was hired and went through the county ICU program all the grads except a couple were adn, but they were registered into a BSN bridge program. Same with my new hire back then, adns were hired with that condition. Of course, I'm speaking for the systems of the greater San Diego area which include sharp, Scripps, UCSD.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I got into a major hospital system without a BSN. However I had specialty certification and got in via the per-diem door in an area that wasn't quite my first choice.

Since then, I've spun that into getting enough hours to make it full-time, I'm working more in the areas I want to work, I got the BSN and I got into a second major hospital system.

I'll look up the agency names and PM you.

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