Soon to be graduate nurse

suzanne4, RN · Jun 17, 2007

California does not do hiring, it is the individual facility that does.

You are mixing up a few things. CA BRN will permit a new CA grad to take the RN exam before they have received a completed file on them, as long as they are on a list of those expecting to gradaute at such and such time.

Since you have attended school out of the state, you will need to have a completed file before they will even permit you to take the NCLEX exam. And you cannot get an IP until you have been approved to sit for the exam. Most facilities want to see that you have passed the exam before you begin work, and we always recommend that you write the exam before you make any move.

Next thing is that most facilities here only have new grad programs two or three times per year, not all year long. When are you actually graduating?

If not until August, more than likely, you would not be able to start until next February in many facilities.

Sheri257 · Jun 17, 2007

It's not that you can't get hired as a new grad in the entire state of California ... a lot of depends on WHERE you're trying to get hired.

Based on the posts in this forum, it looks like the Bay Area is tough for new grads because so many nurses/new grads are moving there, particularly from out of state.

But if you live in other areas of California, the market for new grads can be really great. Everybody in my graduating class had multiple job offers.

:typing

TazziRN, RN · Jun 17, 2007

There are two nursing programs in my county and four hospitals, and all of them hire new grads. Same with the surrounding counties, they hire new grads all the time.

twilight3 · Jun 17, 2007

Thanks for the advice! But from what I was reading on many of the threads, most facilities in the state of california want experienced nurses, not a graduate nurse. I just happened to come across a post that was incorrect.

Tazzi and Sherri can you give me advice on areas to live and work in California. I am unfamiliar with the state so can you break it down.

Sheri257 · Jun 18, 2007

I'm probably not a good person to ask because I live out in the desert ... which is a far cry from people's dreams of the California beaches and lifestyle when they first move here.

I used to live in San Fran and, then, Orange County but ... it was just too expensive to live there. So, we decided to buy a cheap house out in the desert. It's certainly not SF or OC but, financially it's great ... I'm making $40 an hour so I have no complaints.

:typing

viena · Jun 18, 2007

I am a new (BSN) grad also with new license I have no work experience as a nurse yet although I had 9 years HR work experience in the management level. This is a new career for me I look forward to it. Kindly advise what areas or hospitals that have new grads in CA or nearby CA counties and how does that work? when do I have to register with them? Thank you

michellemybelle · Jun 18, 2007

It has been my experience that hospitals in southern California readily hire new grad nurses, even those from out of state. I had two job offers before I graduated in May. I would recommend signing up with aftercollege.com. Many hospitals sign up with them to advertise new grad positions and information sessions. As far as to where to live, that's totally up to you. Yes, living in California can be expensive, but in my opinion, it's all relative--you are making much more per hour as an RN then others in the country who have lower costs of living.

BerkeleyMom · Jun 19, 2007

Thanks for the advice! But from what I was reading on many of the threads, most facilities in the state of california want experienced nurses, not a graduate nurse. I just happened to come across a post that was incorrect.
Tazzi and Sherri can you give me advice on areas to live and work in California. I am unfamiliar with the state so can you break it down.

For people wishing to move to California, can you be more specific as to what exactly you are looking for?

Coastal or inland? Urban or rural? Small town close to a big city? Is ethnic diversity/multiculturalism important? Do you mind traffic? Cost of living requirements? What kind of weather/climate do you prefer? etc, etc.

One thing to consider is the vast amount of diversity that exists within the state. Each area is as if its own state. Take San Diego, Fresno, and San Franciso--one could not even begin to compare the differences between each place. Take Sacramento, Berkeley, and Santa Barbara--again, completely different from one another. The city of Oakland is as polarized as a city can be--very wealthy homes in the hills and very poor communities sprinkeled throughout.

Sorry to digress. What is it that you all are looking for specifically in California? ... Chances are are, you will find it somewhere. Unless of course you are looking for the 4 seasons--that we lack completely.

twilight3 · Jun 19, 2007

I know there is no perfect place. But I would love to live in L.A. or a surrounding area. Also, diversity is a plus because I currently live in a place where there is only one veiw point. Having entertainment would be nice too.

I have never been to the state of california and would love to see it first. But that is not possible for me right now. But I honestly believe it is better than where I am now. That's why I wanted you guys advice on different areas to live and if it is possible to survive on a nurses salary. You can describe where you live now or where you once lived. Either way will help.

I'm trying to get insight on many places within the state before I make a decision.

Mrs. M. · Jul 3, 2007

The Central Valley hires new grads. Try the Fresno hospitals, and Kaweah Delta in Visalia.

smile123 · Jul 3, 2007

Thanks for the advice! But from what I was reading on many of the threads, most facilities in the state of california want experienced nurses, not a graduate nurse. I just happened to come across a post that was incorrect.
Tazzi and Sherri can you give me advice on areas to live and work in California. I am unfamiliar with the state so can you break it down.

Hi there,

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. They do hire new grads, even ones from out of state. The question is, when are you graduating? And when do you plan to take the NCLEX? As Suzanne4 stated correctly, most new grad programs only intake 2 or 3 times a year. The biggest class is in July/Aug because they know that a lot of new nurses graduate in the May/June timeframe and take the NCLEX soon after. There is a lot of competition for the slots, but that doesn't mean you can not get a job out here. It's generally true that there are more new grad slots in S. California. You can do a google search on hospitals in the S. California area (especially in Los Angeles) and there will be programs listed online.

Just for a data point, in N. California (I mean the San Francisco Bay Area), there are new grad programs at University of California San Francisco, UC Davis, Stanford Medical Center, Lucille Packard Children's Hospital (tied closely to Stanford), Kaiser (they have a multitude of branches all over California), Alta Bates, Regional Medical Center of San Jose, Palo Alto Veterans Administration (Federal Govt - they have a 6 month program run by Versed). There may be more, but these are just the ones off the top of my head. Some community/smaller hospitals accept new grads too: San Francisco General, Pacific Medical Center (in SF), Sequoia Hospital (Redwood City), but they have fewer slots. I would say contact the hospitals early in the cycle (for example, the July class is already full, but you can apply for the October class now). Good luck.