San Diego Nurses

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Alright, so it looks like hubby & I may be having to move down that way in a couple years for him to fulfill his dream of being an x-ray tech. Since I know a lot of people love San Diego and the salary down there is a little less than my current area, how competitive is the job market during normal economic times? (I know the economy has made the job market much tougher on everyone, but hopefully two years from now things will have changed). I currently work in ICU, only 6 months in the door, but may switch to ER next year after I've put my time in ICU. Are there more opportunities in ICU or ER? I am also working on a BSN and will have that to throw in the mix.

Just trying to get ready for the rough road ahead.

Thanks to any and all advice

Nicole

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Since I know a lot of people love San Diego and the salary down there is a little less than my current area, how competitive is the job market during normal economic times? (I know the economy has made the job market much tougher on everyone, but hopefully two years from now things will have changed).

I was about to post a thread somewhat close to this topic but since it's been started, i'd follow up on this thread if you don't mind nicole =)

Me and hubby [both RN] is hoping to relocate by the end of next month in san diego. We just received our reciprocity CA RN license today. We're hoping to get the ball rolling for a job application by next week. [bTW, we're moving because we've been in love with SD for awhile in case you might asked]. I have some follow up questions too regarding pay rate in SD. What's the rate for RN with 3 yr experience in ortho unit? or med-surg? How about 9 yrs L&D experience with 4yrs experience outside L&D before that? Which company/hospital has better pay/benefits/etc - Sharp or Scripps? BTW, we're still currently working here in Las Vegas and we know standard of living here is way less than there in SD [i guess we're hoping for a better/competetive pay rate???].

Any information is gladly appreciated.

Thanks nicole for getting this thread started. Goodluck to you and your hubby!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

No problem. It's going to be a while for us. I do believe the salaries are lower in San Diego than Vegas though. Nurses take the pay cut because everyone loves San Diego.

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I do believe the salaries are lower in San Diego than Vegas though. Nurses take the pay cut because everyone loves San Diego.

wow, that sounds very sad =(

i've read forums somewhat close to this topic as well, mentioning for new grad in SD in NICU is $31.50 [unless if she/he didn't say the truth]. Starting here in vegas for new grad approximately i think is somewhere $25-26 on the floor [med-surg]. So, i was hoping it should be a little bit more though knowing the standard of living there is more as compared to here. Hmmm, i think i need to research more on this. Me and hub probably need to rethink of relocating then.

one of my cousin in LA working in NICU i think gets $60/hr more or less [about 8yrs experience] and same with my other cousin working in ER in LA too but probably only had 3-4yrs experience. i was basing through their pay rate - and i've heard SD is less than LA [as what you've mention], but i am very hopeful it shouldn't be less than what we already have here --- :cry:.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

LA is going to pay more. I had known someone who worked in vegas and was making 35/hr as a new nurse. Perhaps we are both misinformed. I was under the impression starting salary was high 20's for new grad there in san diego. Perhaps that includes a night shift differential?

Cost of living there is somewhat high. In North County, which is slightly cheaper, I know someone who has a two bedroom apartment for 1050 which is really reasonable for that part, but it's also about 45 min to hour north of true san diego.

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Once you get as much experience under your belt as you can you will be fine. Being a new grad in SD is awful; I wish I never moved here to be honest. There is nothing here for nurses with less then a year experience and it seems even if you do have it that getting into places like the ER is on reserve for people that have connections. On a positive note I LOVE this city! I have lived in every state in the West coast and this is one of the best places to live (minus job issue!). California's bureaucracy problems are more than I expected, but still, a nice place to live.

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I had known someone who worked in vegas and was making 35/hr as a new nurse.

wow, I am just wondering which part of the valley he/she is working. I know a couple hospital who pays a little more, maybe $1 but not $35/hr. Even with night differential + special area, that seems way more for new grad --- wow, I'd like to know where he/she is working at.

I remember clearly, hub started almost 3 yrs back his starting pay (new grad/days/med-surg) here in Vegas --- $24.50. That I am sure. That's why I kinda estimated new grad now here is somewhere $25-26 (days position).

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I was under the impression starting salary was high 20's for new grad there in san diego. Perhaps that includes a night shift differential?

Thank you for the info.

I thougt SD is maybe $2-3/hr more As compared here in Vegas. I guess in that sense, they're equivocal payrate then.

If you don't mind me asking - which is better company to work with (sharps or scripps), generally speaking (pay/benefits/etc)? Any idea how much L&D RN pays (9yrs experience)?

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I was misinformed about Vegas, I apologize. I really don't know that much about the San Diego job market. That's why I was posting. I live in the Inland Empire and know that our salaries are higher here, and cost of living is much cheaper.

If you want specific salaries, I did search on allnurses and just typing in salary and san diego will get you a lot of different information to base your info on.

I'm really just more curious of the competitive job market, I'll have about 3 years of RN experience with my BSN to add and hoping that will be enough.

I was really just wondering if I should stay in critical care, or go to ER like I want. It seems to be that there is a lot more Critical Care jobs than anything else down there. I dont want to switch from CCU to ED in April, and then have more trouble finding work when I relocate.

I would just stay in the Inland Empire, but found a program for my husband that would be more appropriate for him to become a Radiologic Tech down there. We only have two programs near us here, and they have 100's of applicants every year for 10 spots. He's getting to an age where he just wants to be done. So San Diego is the best bet for us.

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I was misinformed about Vegas, I apologize.

Oh I am sorry, my fault... I guess I was caught by surprise. Thank you so much though for the info, you opened a lot of info here for me.

When you start a family your priorities changed too. We're looking for a family oriented place and when we visited SD we fell in love with the place. I hate to leave my friends here but a priority is a priority, secondly school dist here sucks... Our little girls are growing fast (5 & 2 yrs old). We'll probably just adjust somewhere financially to get the desire budget especially if the standard of leaving is higher in SD.

Well goodluck to you too and hubby... I hear what you're saying =)

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