How To Get A Nursing Job In California

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles December 11, 2019 - 9:59 am 0 723 Views

Starting your career in nursing can be extremely daunting, especially if you do not know what to expect from nursing or the steps that you need to take to secure the job of your dreams. If you are uncertain about the pathway that you need to take to secure your perfect position in a hospital or alternative care facility, read on for a practical guide on the best steps to take if you are looking to become a nurse in California.

There are many reasons why becoming a nurse is a great career option, particularly in California, which may influence your ability to get a nursing role in the state. For example:

Californian nurses are paid the most in the US, with their annual wages reaching $100,000 on average a year
In 2004, California limited the number of patients that one nurse could be assigned, which improved their wellbeing
Nursing is the largest profession in the state, and yet there is only a small ratio of nurses to residents, leaving them in high demand

Choose Your Nursing Pathway

Firstly, before you make any major decisions, it is important that you choose your nursing pathway, as this may influence what type of qualifications and documents you need to become a nurse in California. The most popular of these careers in California include becoming a nurse practitioner, a midwife, a clinical nurse specialist, a mental health nurse, or a public health nurse. Each of these has different requirements which you should adhere to if possible, and so it is important that you are able to determine which option you are most interested in before you take a degree or apply for your licenses.

Once you have decided on which nursing pathway is right for you, it is important that you establish the route that you are going to take to achieve this. For instance, if you do not want to earn a degree, there are still many nurses that opt for community college programs instead. However, the demand for nurses with a Bachelor’s degree is rising, with many hospitals and workplaces unable to take new applicants without a degree. In fact, many older nurses without a degree are being sent back to school to obtain one. You should take this into due consideration when deciding what path to take towards nursing.

Get the Right Qualifications

Next, it is vital that you have the right qualifications to support your desire to be a nurse. California requires nurses to have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school that is recognized by the Board of Nursing. Most candidates will opt to take an Associate Degree in Nursing, which is a two-year program at a college, or a BCS in Nursing, which is a 4-year program. Once you have become a registered nurse with entry-level programs such as ASDs, you might then consider taking an accelerated program to transform this into a BCS while working on the job.

However, if you want to take a BSC straightaway, you should look for certain things in the right nursing school:

Accreditation with the Board of Nursing
Schedules and specialized units that align with your career path
The pass rate for the NCLEX exam that provides you with licensure

After you have obtained a Bachelor’s degree, you might then consider a Master’s degree. This can help to expand upon the nursing knowledge that you already have, give you a more honed knowledge of the different specialisms and can allow you to take on higher leadership positions, such as unit manager and administration. Master’s degrees can also be useful in linking you with a set of contacts that can help to advance your later career.

You need to take a Master’s degree if you want to become a:

Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Educator
Consultant
Research Nurse
Clinical Specialist

To find the right Master’s program for you, you might have to travel outside of California to find the nursing schools to suit you and to allow you to take a course that aligns with your career goals. For instance, Texas Woman’s University in Denton offers a Masters in Nursing program which can help to boost your nursing and medical knowledge, your soft skills (e.g. interpersonal and empathy skills) and your understanding of leadership responsibility in nursing.

If you are concerned about the financial side of becoming a nurse, California has many great financing options to support those struggling to fund their venture. These include: Healthcare Leadership Scholarships and loans from the Health Professions Education Foundation. However, there are many more financial options for those looking at nursing and there is a full list of nursing scholarships online.

Apply for Documentation

The next stage of becoming a nurse in California is to get a nursing license. There is a certain set of requirements to achieve a nursing license that differs according to the state in which you live, many of which are stricter than others. In California, you will have to pass a background check and fingerprint analysis, as well as having a criminal background check. You must also pass the requirements in education, such as having a degree from an accredited school, as mentioned above. The process to apply for these in California is not as difficult as it may seem, you simply have to to fill in and file an online application form with your details. Your school will also need to send your details to the department, and you should leave 6-8 weeks to allow this form to be processed.

After you have submitted the application, it is necessary to take a National Council Licensing Examination, which will determine your competency in nursing, and must be taken in every state. Rather than having to travel for this, you can complete this online, and completion takes a continuous 6 days.

If you are already licensed in another state and simply want to transfer to California, you need to fill out an application, which may provide you with a temporary 6-month license which can allow you to practice while waiting for your permanent application to be processed. You will also need to verify the license that you have from another state. You will also need several other items to apply, and these include:

A 2 x 2 passport photo
A $49.00 fee to be paid to the Board of Registered Nursing, as well as a $350 application fee
Fingerprint cards for background checks, delivered to the local law enforcement agency
Transcript request forms from your schools
Documents for any convictions

Find Experience

However, even if you have the best qualifications, what is more important is your ability to get the right practical experience in your field. This will help you to learn the necessary skills, as well as understand the real workings of a hospital or care centre.

College Careers Advice: You can take placements or internships by contacting your college’s advice team, who will be able to give you the right amount of support and guidance in applying for placements. They will be able to put you in contact with internships and can help you to construct a cover letter and CV which can appeal to potential work experience.

Volunteer: Although you will not get paid for it, volunteering is one of the best ways to get experience in the healthcare sector, as this will allow you to get a real insight into the potential careers that you are looking at, while also showing your commitment and dedication to potential employers. Volunteering placements may also be easier to find and apply for than other positions.

Look on Placement Boards: Additionally, there are nurse placement, internships and job boards that often advertise local opportunities in California and beyond for you to look at. Many of these will be able to secure you with the experience that you need to get the job of your dreams.

Find a Job: You can also get your dream nursing job by starting small and working alongside your current studies. Although this job may not meet your career criteria, any type of caring or healthcare work is advantageous to building your knowledge and transferrable skills.

Network: It is also possible to find work experience, and even a job, by networking. By attending nursing networking groups and conferences in your area, you will be able to find out about interesting opportunities near you which you may be applicable for.

Search Local Job Postings

Now you have everything that you need for a nursing career in California, it is time to search for local job postings. A simple Google search or browse on nationwide job listings sites can direct you towards job postings in your area. Many of these having the option to view jobs by location. However, you shouldn’t be against moving for better opportunities, as the in-demand nature of nursing means that the perfect job could come from just about anywhere in the country – or even abroad.