What parts of CA is the nursing shortage still going strong?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I'm interested in relocating from MA. I graduated in May and haven't had any success in job searching other than a per diem charge nurse position in pedi psych. I'm interested in peds/picu/nicu and happy to relocate to any part of CA that is new grad friendly.

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Specializes in ICU.

Bakersfield in the Central Valley of California is still hiring. I graduated from nursing school in Bakersfield in August of 2008. I moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area- where I'm from- and still can't land myself a new grad job. So now after speaking to the nurse manager in my favorite hospital in Bakersfield, I'm going in for an interview next week. The vibes between the two areas are like night and day. In the Bay Area you are one of a thousands new grads and the nurse managers don't have the time of day for you. But in Bakersfield they are so appreciative of your interest, treat you so well, are so welcoming, and really try to accommodate your interests and needs. Also in Bakersfield I will be able to work in the department of my choice- the Emergency Dept. and if in the Bay Area I've been applying to any position open, even if I dislike the unit. The biggest difference between the two places is the pay. In Bakersfield you start out at about $27/hr and in the Bay Are you start out at $45-$47/hr , so it's a big difference.

Good Luck in your search, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Ash, can you tell me which hospital this is? It sounds wonderful.

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Specializes in ICU.

Sure, it's called Kern Medical Center- which is the county hospital. It's a great place to learn since it's a teaching hospital so people there are used to teaching you things and are happy to do so. Even the doctors will take time to explain things to you- especially the residents. Also the doctors there really respect the nurses and their opinions. I was a paid nurse extern there for my last year of nursing school and floated to many departments. This is the general attitude of the people working in the hospital. Maybe I'll see you there!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Bakersfield in the Central Valley of California is still hiring.

I lived in Bakersfield for 2 years, from 2003 to 2005. While I loved living there, I personally felt that the weather, people, and overall culture shared more similarities to Oklahoma City than California. Outsiders who go there usually say, "This is not how I envisioned California!"

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/california/32681-question-bakersfield-haters.html

This is just a great blog that has various folks who lived in Bakersfield give their hones opinions regarding it in comparison to other places in California. And I agree, Oklahoma is a lot like Bakersfield!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
And I agree, Oklahoma is a lot like Bakersfield!

Oklahoma and Bakersfield are so similar due to their shared histories.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, destitute workers from Oklahoma packed up their families and migrated to California's Central Valley seeking agricultural work. Several hundred thousand of these "Okies" ended up in migrant camps in and around Bakersfield. Their influence can be seen and felt in the city to this very day.

However, it is my personal opinion that Oklahoma City is slightly more cosmopolitan and invigorating than Bakersfield.

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