Should I fly to California

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

California is the only state with legally mandated nurse/patient ratios for acute care facilities. Med/surg floors are legally required to staff with 1:5, psych is 1:6, critical care units are 1:2, tele stepdown and other specialties are 1:4.

If you get the job, you should relocate. Few nurse managers would be willing to deal with the staffing needs that you have, especially in Sacramento.

rdmcqnurse · Feb 17, 2015

Thanks for the tip. I am trying to get the wife on board with moving. I am all for it but she is hesitant. Kids are just starting High School which makes it tough. Thanks again.

Libby1987 · Feb 17, 2015

I imagine HS is very different in the two areas. Much of Sacramento HS is going to be a sea of kids, going east into the foothills ie Folsom and Eldorado Hills will feel preppy and affluent, comparatively speaking. I don't think Utah is generally like that.

I raised my kids in a non affluent plain ol' middle class area of the foothills in California, more country than urban sprawl.

I know they would be in culture shock in Sac. Also if your kids are in sports, or any other activities, and depending on what size school they've been going to, they may be little fish in a big pond, my talented son otoh was a very big fish in a little pond in our area and my other not so athletic son got to see playing time where he wouldn't have in either in Sac or immediate the foothill communities.

Just something to think about if you want to encourage them to move, you might want to search out an area that would match up to what they're used to, teens tend to not like big social changes and being different, though I apologize if you're situation is dfferent.

danielle2000, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

If you work on a floor that has self-scheduling it should not be a problem just as long as you do not accrue overtime and meet their weekend requirement. Some hospitals and units have adapted working every third weekend, which is very nice. California pays nurses well especially up north but the cost of living is high as well. Making 50+ an hour doesn't seem much when you are paying half your paycheck just to lay your head somewhere. At least for now you can check things out and if it is a good fit. Things will work out for you all around. :-)

maryen · Feb 17, 2015

I had a co- worker who commuted from NYC to work at UCSF. She was hired at UCSF while living in Ca., worked for 4 months and then her husband was relocated to NYC. They didn't have kids and he had some type of military flight discount so it worked out great for her. She did it for a few years and they relocated back to Ca. Good Luck!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 24, 2015

I am currently working in southern Utah in a trauma II, 30 bed ER (3 years). The wages here are terrible, barely $20 per hour. I am looking at possibly flying into the Sacramento area where a new grad friend of mine started at more than $40 per hour and thinks I should be able to get around $50. Wondering if anyone can answer a few questions.
1. Do hospitals in California allow 6 days on and 8 days off so that I could fly in and out? I live 5 miles from an airport so that is very easy.
2. Anyone here ever done the fly in and out. This would not be a travel contract but rather a full time commitment, I would just live in another state.
3. What are the general working conditions, staff ratios, turnover in the greater Sacramento area.
Any help is appreciated.
Ryan

It could work, depending upon how much you're spending for a place to stay while you're in California. Check on renting a room from someone rather than staying in a hotel, renting an apartment or something. I once commuted by renting a room in the home of an older couple who thought I was a great tenant because I wasn't around very often. The rent was cheap, and I was able to help them out by bringing their groceries in from the car, etc. Other nurses I know have made arrangements to stay with a co-worker or friend in the city. But make sure that what you're spending on housing and travel doesn't eat up the increase in wages.