Would it be a bad idea to come to Cali as a new grad from out of state?

[WendyDarling]

Okay so I was just accepted to nursing school so it means that I have another 2 years until I graduate. I am a pre-planner and I'm just curious if it would be a stupid idea to come out to Cali as a new grad looking for a nursing spot. My desire is to be an L&D nurse. I work in maternity now as a nursing assistant and basically have a job lined up as a nurse for when I graduate. Would it be much smarter to try and get a year of experience before coming out there? I hear that it's insane out there for new grads and I know how desired L&D can be. Will a year even help me out if I'm trying to come from another state? Ideally I would like to get a job before I move. My situation is that my fiancé lives in Cali and the few times a year trips are getting pretty pricey. My career however really takes precedence because without that then he and I cannot have out happily ever after. Just need some opinions. Thanks guys!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

In a word, yes. It would be a very risky decision to come out to CA as an out-of-state new grad. The area is oversaturated with nursing schools and new graduates. Most hospitals won't touch you unless you've gone through their new grad residency programs, and those are fiercely competitive. I work for two hospitals which such programs, and they get thousands of applicants for a handful of spots, and it's not uncommon for internal applicants to be turned down because there's too much competition.

If you don't believe me, just read through all of the threads in this forum and in the First Year After Licensure/First Job Hunt forums to understand how bad the job market is in California as a new grad.

IMO, do not move out here unless a. you have a job lined up, b. you have the funds to support a CA lifestyle while you job hunt for several months to a year or more, or c. have family that you can stay with (and thus provide most/all of your room and board).

Otherwise, if you are fairly certain of a job after graduation in your situation, stay there and get a year of experience (two is even better) and even a certification or two if you can. Then you will be better candidate for finding jobs out here.

[RunBabyRN]

New grad + L&D + CA = bad combo. It's taking new grads up to a year (or sometimes more) to find their first job (and most are taking what they can get, regardless of specialty), and L&D is notorious for requiring prior experience, as in WILL NOT HIRE NEW GRADS. I'm starting in postpartum once I pass the NCLEX, and everyone is shocked I got the job without even a residency program. Almost every other state is easier than CA with regards to new grads finding work. We have the highest unemployment rate among new grads in the nation (47%). Rural areas are better than major metro areas, so if he lives in Barstow or Exeter, you may have better luck than if he lives in Malibu or San Jose.

DEFINITELY do not move until you have a job. The market is REALLY tough out here. Did you ever think about attending a nursing program HERE instead of wherever you are? That would have helped you a lot in looking for a job, at least. Make sure that your degree will be accepted by the CA BRN when it comes to to move here, too. Also, is it feasible for you to be away from your fiance for a nursing program AND 1-2 years of experience somewhere? I would think that would get old really fast, TBH.

[zzbxdo]

Sounds like you already know the answer to your questions. If you for sure have a l&d position laid out for you after you graduate, then I don't see why you would even consider abandoning it to leave for California without an offer as those positions are among the very rare. Ideally you should just continue to browse this forum as all posts are essentially the same.