San Diego--really that hard to find a job???

U.S.A. California

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Hi everyone,

I am a RN (with a BSN) in the midwest. I currently have a good job where I live but I DO NOT like where I live. My husband and I really want to move to San Diego--we've been there a few times and have some of our best friends out there (and I LOVE it there!). I will have 1 year of experience by the time we move this summer. I have been reading the posts on here and I am getting discouraged....is it really that hard to get a RN job in SD? I just looked at sharp's website today and they have 99 RN positions posted....I don't understand how there are no jobs when there are so many posted?

My husband has a good job and works from home so he can keep his job after we move. But I don't want to throw away all my years of education and hard work just to move and be unemployed. Can someone please advise me on this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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hey there

i feel the same way. i live in chicago bu im tired of the weather. my bf and i want to go soo bad but people say there are no jobs and anytime i tello someone they always say its a bad idea. how hard is it to get a job in california with experience. please any help or answer is greatly appreciated

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Start your job search now so that you have something lined up before you move.

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Specializes in ICU.

don't move until you get a job! i started submitting my application online since end of february.. i'v sent out multiple applications per hospital, probably a total of 20 jobs between the different hospitals in the area. got only one positive response, and I even had to call them. I called one HR rep twice on a job that I really wanted, didn't hear from her. emailed them, they replied, but really what it said was if you don;t hear from us in a few weeks, it means you didn't get it. I have almost 5 years ICU experience, BSN.. i don't know what those hospitals are looking for. or maybe it's just taking them a looooooooooooooooong time to review applications coz one said they get hundreds of applicants per job.start looking now. I won't move unless i ws given an actual job offer. good luck.

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Just keep plugging away at it and I am sure you will get something. Just keep in mind the COL is much, much higher than the midwest, as I'm sure you know.

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What does Col mean I'm from the Midwest also and I'm

planning to move to California

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COL = cost of living

Good luck in your search, the market is saturated in most areas for both new and experienced RNs it seems. However, if you apply online and wait to get a bite before moving, then no harm done.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It is very difficult.

Just because a facility is posting a job doesn't mean they have any intention of filling it. I know it sounds odd, but it is happening a lot right now.

I would heed the other's advice and not move without having a job lined up.

1 year of RN experience isn't cutting it anymore, they want 2-5 years in that specialty, preferable the certification that goes along with it (such as CCRN).

California is just innundated with nurses now everywhere it seems, except for the middle less-desirable part of the state. It may pick up in a couple years, but this economy really hit us hard. I have friends who hadn't worked because they were stay at home moms, and they went back to work because DH lost their jobs. I have classmates from my new grad program from 1/09 and they STILL dont have jobs and they have applied throughout the entire state. It's just a mess.

Good luck to you.

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I am also from the midwest and am now living in San Diego. I am a new grad (graduated in June 2009) and am still looking for a job. I have heard experienced nurses are also having a hard time. There is certainly not a nursing shortage in San Diego! Rumor has it hospitals have to post jobs externally, but really only have intentions of hiring internally.

Keep in mind, visiting San Diego and living in San Diego are not the same thing. The cost of living is very, very high. Most people think the weather is 70 degrees all year....not true. Summers can be hot (high 90s), and very few places come with air conditioning. The beach during the summer is a mad house due to all the tourists.

I would not move until I got a job. You might try an agency job. I always see them advertising (for nurses with a year experience), and sometimes that can be your in for a hospital job.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I am also from the midwest and am now living in San Diego. I am a new grad (graduated in June 2009) and am still looking for a job. I have heard experienced nurses are also having a hard time. There is certainly not a nursing shortage in San Diego! Rumor has it hospitals have to post jobs externally, but really only have intentions of hiring internally.

Keep in mind, visiting San Diego and living in San Diego are not the same thing. The cost of living is very, very high. Most people think the weather is 70 degrees all year....not true. Summers can be hot (high 90s), and very few places come with air conditioning. The beach during the summer is a mad house due to all the tourists.

I would not move until I got a job. You might try an agency job. I always see them advertising (for nurses with a year experience), and sometimes that can be your in for a hospital job.

Good luck!

What beach do you go to? Try Coronado, it's the beach I always go to and it's never to crowded and very clean :D

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I thought that RN's are in high demand? :confused:

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

That was before the economy took a hit..... right now nothing in demand and there are a lot of unemployed new graduates.

Currently only EXPERIENCED nurses are in demand, and even then they have been really hit hard from previous opportunities.

The recession hit nursing in early 2009 and has yet to see any signs of improvement.

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