Starting wage for New Grads in the LA area

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Hey all,

So I am a current BSN student in Idaho looking at graduating in December. My plan is to move down with family in the LA area and I was wondering what an average starting hourly wage is down there. I'm pretty much just considering hospital settings, so info specific to that would be greatly appreciated. Any hints, tips, and advice is greatly welcomed.

Thanks!

Timm

PS: Opinions on hospitals would also be great, it's always nice to know how people feel about where they work!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

High $20s to low $30s per hour is the typical new grad pay rate range for most hospitals in the greater Los Angeles area, although there are a few outliers.

Personally, I would not relocate to LA without a job lined up. The job market for nurses in the greater LA area is absolutely horrible at the present time due to the economic situation.

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I agree with TheCommuter. Get a job lined up first before you move. The UCLA New Grad program that just had the apps were either 1800 or 2000 applicants.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, Geriatrics.

I think New Grads at CHLA get paid about $22-$24. I have friends working at some hospitals at $26.

I agree with the others. I would not move out here without a job lined up. It is very tough.

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I'm going to be coming down over the summer to check things out, but I'm not dead set on landing a job before I get down there. It would be nice don't get me wrong, but I will have a free place to stay as long as I need it and I'll have enough money set aside to keep things in order for a year or so. I'm just the kind of person to get comfortable when things are stable, and I don't see myself happy if I stay in Idaho. I am cautious though and know when to admit defeat, I'm just not the kind of person to settle before I go for what I want.

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I'm going to be coming down over the summer to check things out, but I'm not dead set on landing a job before I get down there. It would be nice don't get me wrong, but I will have a free place to stay as long as I need it and I'll have enough money set aside to keep things in order for a year or so. I'm just the kind of person to get comfortable when things are stable, and I don't see myself happy if I stay in Idaho. I am cautious though and know when to admit defeat, I'm just not the kind of person to settle before I go for what I want.

Awesome that you have a free place to stay. Good luck! :)

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Thanks! I also didn't want to come across as someone who doesn't take advice. All of your guys' input was very realistic, and that is usually me all the way. In this case though I'm pretty sure being back down in Cali will make me happier, and a little bit of risk once in a while keeps you motivated and on your toes!

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Thanks! I also didn't want to come across as someone who doesn't take advice. All of your guys' input was very realistic, and that is usually me all the way. In this case though I'm pretty sure being back down in Cali will make me happier, and a little bit of risk once in a while keeps you motivated and on your toes!

If you're graduating in December of 2012, you can mark your calendars for New Grad positions at the various hospitals in CA. I'm not sure when the dates for the next batch are, since a slew of hospitals just had another round a few weeks ago. But you can look to get a idea of when they generally post positions for the new grad programs and when they start the actual programs.

Good luck!

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Thank you! I'll be sure to look into that.

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I think New Grads at CHLA get paid about $22-$24. I have friends working at some hospitals at $26.

I agree with the others. I would not move out here without a job lined up. It is very tough.

$22-$24?? At Children's? That's really awful. Maybe in Needles or like Mojave or some place but $22 is what some CNAs make at UCLA or Cedars.

I would guess $28 to $34 is more the norm.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, Geriatrics.

$24ish during the first 22 weeks. And then your wage goes up. By how much? I'm not sure. But it isn't over $30. They do invest A LOT in their new grad program. My friends are in the New Grad Program right now and all they can do is sing praises about it.

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$24ish during the first 22 weeks. And then your wage goes up. By how much? I'm not sure. But it isn't over $30. They do invest A LOT in their new grad program. My friends are in the New Grad Program right now and all they can do is sing praises about it.

Where? UCLAs own New Grad job description says $35 an hour. They're required to disclose this info publicly. I'm not denying what you say is possible. it's just that $22 in LA Co. is almost unlivable. Here in Vegas (where the C.O.L. is 40% less) there are at least 3 hospitals I know where new grad pay is $25 or higher.

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