Salary in San Jose

suzanne4, RN · Feb 21, 2009

San Jose is essentially Bay Area. That pay is possible but for someone with years of experience at that facility.

Bigger issue is that many of the hospitals in the area having hiring freezes in place as well at this time, or are even having lay-offs. Silicon Valley is in that area and they have been hit hard by lay-offs, so there are many nurses that are already working more hours there to cover their expenses when spouses have lost their jobs.

If you only have a couple of years of experience, or even less, it is going to be almost impossible to get hired. Just check out all of the other threads about not being able to find work out here.

caliotter3 · Feb 22, 2009

I had occasion to view the job postings at the county hospital in San Jose and never saw anything like that. You should go to the employment website for Santa Clara County and see for yourself. I think you will find wages that are more realistic.

RNLola035 · Feb 22, 2009

If your looking for something with that salary, starting as a new grad in August 2008 my former co-worker ( I say former because we were in the new grad orientation together however I got laid off due to "budget") making $56/hr that's with night differential tho..and thats a little more than 100,000/year..so someone with experience could make more...this is at Alta Bates in Oakland..but like the above post replied, it's a little hard to find a job right now

youknowho · Feb 23, 2009

We might make good money here but don't forget the super high cost of living.

funnypharm · Apr 15, 2009

I am a new nurse and will be working for the first time in SJ. I am a little worried about finding a job. I worked as a Paramedic for years but as a new nurse I'm hoping I can find a job.

I'm just curious.... I don't want to sound disrespectful to Nurses who come to the USA to work as a Nurse but is one of the reasons there is a problem getting a job is because of all the nurses leaving socialist countries to work here? I noticed in clinical that about 80% of the nurses at a nursing home was at was like that. Anyone have any kind of info on that? I had to ask the nurse to please speak English so I could understand what she was saying because she was speaking Tagalog to my classmates. I guess that's why it's in my head.

caliotter3 · Apr 15, 2009

I got a job working at a place where 85-90% of the workforce was from overseas. The DON was from overseas and she hired me. At the time, I needed a job and I sure didn't see anybody else hiring me.

funnypharm · Apr 15, 2009

I went to school in LA and not in SJ and I noticed that there are more working from over seas than are from here. I guess the day of entitlement is over. I should be "lucky" to get a job in my own country. Its a world market now. My husband is going through the same thing as me. He finally got a managers job because a woman from India wouldn't drop her rate any lower. LOL, isn't that something. And my husband led troops in war (6 year vet) and blearily got his job.

caliotter3 · Apr 15, 2009

When you try to live and work in Cali you have to be mindful of your attitude about certain things because you will find the deck stacked against you.

funnypharm · Apr 15, 2009

yup... I am aware. I'm not in Kansas anymore! :bugeyes:

kwong30 · Apr 15, 2009

It's possible to make that much in the Bay Area. New nurse on 3-12s at night with just over 6 months makes 59/hr. But I agree with everyone, there is a major hiring freeze now.

youknowho · Apr 15, 2009

It's possible to make that much in the Bay Area. New nurse on 3-12s at night with just over 6 months makes 59/hr. But I agree with everyone, there is a major hiring freeze now.

Yep...also easy with OT. When I was on night, I was called EVERY night to see if I wanted an extra shift. It could have been time and a half or double time. Even now on days it happens. I am not an OT kinda gal though. I love sleeping and being with my kids too much. Nice to know that if I wanted some extra $$, its available.