Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Admin
Knowing which area is best can be hard when considering where to go for your next travel nursing assignment. With so many options in healthcare for a travel nurse, you might not want to choose the first place to travel that comes along. And that’s understandable. It’s essential to research what each area offers and decide which nurse jobs will be the best fit. If you are looking for a new adventure this year, here are some of the top locations for travel nursing jobs in California.
There are many benefits to being a travel nurse. You’ll have the satisfaction of helping people, and you’ll have good job security. In addition, travel nursing provides guaranteed shifts at a higher pay with the bonus of exploring a new city as often as one wants, generally 13 weeks at a time but ranging anywhere from 13 to 28 weeks.
Travel nurses perform any nursing function, usually substituting for staff nurses or supplementing short-term increases in nurse staffing needs. A travel RN generally averages $2,400 per week ($9,600 monthly), with the pay varying widely by credentials, experience, specialty, location, and stipend. Placements can be planned or may come as needed.
Travel nursing is demanding work. At ESP Personnel, we work with you to balance your employment with your life outside of work so you can deliver high-quality, compassionate healthcare at your best. We create relationships and work opportunities that give you better control over when and where you work. And we work hard to secure top-paying assignments for our travel nursing personnel.
Why it’s Important for a Travel RN to Do Your Research
Page Contents
Knowing which area is best for your next travel nursing shift can be challenging. With so many options out there, you might not want to choose the first place that comes along. And that’s understandable! It’s essential to do some research into what each area has to offer and decide for yourself which one will be the best fit.
If you are looking for a new adventure this year, here are some of the top places in California that are perfect for travel nurses. And if you’re wondering what you should know before taking on a travel nursing position, keep reading!
The Top Travel Nursing Jobs in California
California is a beautiful place to find a new, exciting travel nursing job. It’s the state with the most healthcare jobs for travel nurses in the country. Several different areas offer excellent locations for travel nurses looking to explore California. Here are some of the best places in California for travel nurses:
Travel Nursing Jobs: San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA, and nearby cities have tons of outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, hiking, biking, rock climbing, and more! It’s also one of the largest cities in California, with close to 1 million residents, so it’s worth considering to travel to if you love urban living!
If you’re like many nurses looking to advance their careers while they’re still young and eager to learn, then perhaps a travel nurse job in San Francisco might be the perfect fit for you. Perhaps you’ve ever wanted to explore the exciting world of nursing outside of the familiar confines of your hometown.
Whatever the case, if you’re considering a travel nurse job in San Francisco, you’ll likely be excited to learn that the city is considered among the most beautiful and interesting places to live in the United States.
It’s also a cultural hub with a high concentration of top-notch healthcare facilities. This means that even with the rapid growth of the medical field and the influx of new nurses, the job prospects for nurses are expected to only get better in the coming years.
Working with ESP Personnel will discuss the truth about working as a nurse in San Francisco so that you can have the best chance of finding a suitable RN job.
Travel Nursing Jobs: Fresno, CA
This city in the Central Valley of California is the largest in the greater Central Valley region. With just over 540,000 people, it offers urban and rural settings. If you enjoy the outdoors, then Fresno might be perfect for you to travel to.
Travel Nursing Jobs: Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA is an iconic travel destination in Southern California and is close to many popular nearby destinations such as Joshua Tree National Park, Malibu, CA, and Santa Barbara. In addition, Los Angeles offers a variety of housing options and an eclectic mix of restaurants.
With California’s thriving medical industry, a major metropolis in the West, and host to more than 80 international airports, no other city offers as many opportunities for a travel nurse as Los Angeles.
There are abundant opportunities to travel and practice in all city regions, with an average of 5 different geographic zones per hospital. In addition, the percentage of contracted travel nurses tends to be higher in Los Angeles than in other parts of the country.
As an added tip, most travelers and locals alike describe this city as the “Hippest City in America,” so if that’s something you’re looking for, this may be the right place for you!
Working with ESP Personnel will discuss the truth about working as a nurse in Los Angeles so that you can have the best chance of finding a suitable RN job.
Travel Nursing Jobs: San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA, is famous for its sunny weather all year round, making it a perfect travel destination if you like spending time outside. Plus, there are always many fun events happening throughout the year like ComicCon!
Thanks to a growing need for care, a new crop of nurses is emerging as the baby boomers age. This is good news for anyone interested in a nursing career, but it can also be a challenge for those looking for a job in this field. Supply and demand, combined with other factors, make finding a nursing job in San Diego challenging but not impossible.
If you are looking for a travel nursing job in San Diego, you understand that the competition is fierce. However, you also understand that you have plenty of advantages to give you the upper hand in your search.
Working with ESP Personnel will discuss the truth about working as a nurse in San Diego so that you can have the best chance of finding a suitable RN job.
What an RN Should Know Before Taking a Travel Nursing Job in California
If you’re considering taking a travel RN job in California, there are several things you need to know.
First, consider if the travel nurse RN job is on the coast or inland. The weather in California can vary significantly throughout the state. You will want to consider pursuing a healthcare career in a location where you will be comfortable.
Second, make sure you understand what housing options are available to you. You don’t want to accept a nurse position and find out there is no public housing in the region.
Finally, consider the cost of living, your lifestyle, and any responsibilities that may require you to travel back and forth before accepting a travel nursing offers. In addition, you will want to make sure you understand your complete compensation package and meet all your needs.
Requirements for Travel Nursing in California
The requirements for working as a nurse in California may seem daunting. We’re here to help direct you to what you need to do to get your nurse requirements squared away.
License Requirements
Unrestricted RN, LPN, RT, CNA license
MORE: https://www.rn.ca.gov/careers/steps.shtml
RN Certification Requirements
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Essential Life Support (BLS)
- Specialized care unit credentials such as critical care CCRN, trauma nurse critical care TNCC, advanced fetal heart monitoring AFHM
Nursing Experience
Minimum 1-year practical nurse experience highly recommended and sought. Nurse assignments will have different experience requirements depending upon the facility, unit specialty, and other factors.
How Much Experience is Needed?
Many facilities require you to have a minimum of one to two years of recent experience in your nursing specialty whether it’s surgical, neonatal, critical care, pediatrics, trauma, or clinical nursing with many different specialties. Your clinical background will determine the specific openings you’ll qualify for as a travel nurse or per diem nurse.
For travel nursing, healthcare facilities recommend one to two years of bedside experience in their respected field. The amount of experience required depends on the hiring healthcare facility.
An associate degree in nursing takes around two years to complete. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes around 4 years to complete. Once you have a nursing degree and bedside experience, you are ready to become a travel or per diem nurse!
Obtaining a Temporary License in California for Jobs
With an unrestricted active nurse license from any other state, ESP Personnel will process an Emergency Medical Service Authority (EMSA) authorization request for nurses and RTs accepted into a contracted nurse assignment.
MORE: https://www.rn.ca.gov/emsa_end.shtml
Many nurses choose to pursue a temporary nurse license that would extend beyond the emergency authorization.
Travel Nurse Salary – How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in California?
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a travel nurse, it may be difficult to know if this is the right career choice for you. A travel nurse’s salary can be up to $150,000 and work in different environments like hospitals, schools, and research labs. But how does that compare to your current nurse salary? Pursuing travel nursing could be right for you!
When you join the ranks of a travel nursing agency, you know that you’ll be making a living and building a future, but how much will you make? The general rule of thumb for how much a new nurse makes in their first year is about $45,000. At the same time, this doesn’t account for any additional compensation, such as bonuses, incentives, or reimbursements. It also doesn’t include the costs of housing, food, car maintenance, or other home-based expenses.
Depending on the assignment and other factors, a travel nurse in California salary will be more than that.
Traveling nurses go from one assignment to the next, never staying in one place long. As a result, they can make a lot of money and work anywhere their nurse skills are needed. But what is the cost of living like in California?
California has a reputation for being expensive, but there are many affordable areas too. The cost of living in California varies depending on where you live and how high your needs are (e.g., if you’re single and don’t want to share a house with roommates).
Travel Nurse Salary Opportunities in California with ESP Personnel
Los Angeles, CA
$2,673 /week (RN openings)
Banning, CA
$2,178 / week (RN openings)
West Covina, CA
$1,779 / week (RN openings)
Monrovia, CA
Daily pay $627 per 12-hour shift (RN)
Los Angeles, CA
$1,145 / week (LVN openings)
Monrovia, CA
Daily pay $462 per 12-hour shift (LVN)
San Jose, CA
Daily pay $321 per 8-hour shift (LVN)
What is the Cost of Living in California for a Travel Nurse?
The cost of living in California can depend on your needs as a nurse. For instance, if you’re single, don’t need a car, and don’t want to share a house with roommates, you can save a lot. But if you have a family and need a place to live with more room, the cost of living will be much higher. Most travel nurses agree that the cost of living in California is high compared to other states. The cost of utilities, groceries, and healthcare is higher than the national average.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to travel and enjoy the benefits of a new state, it’s essential to do your research in travel nursing. Travelers can be exposed to different parts of California that they may not otherwise see. Our list of the top travel nursing jobs in California will give you an idea of what is available, where you can go, and what you should know before taking a travel nursing job. Nursing jobs are competitive, and jobs open fast, Let ESP Personnel get you prepared quickly and become an exclusive registered nurse.
Nursing is a rewarding career. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is creating even higher demand in the field, experiencing staff shortages. Let us help you find the most personally and professionally fulfilling nurse opportunities to expand your experience while enjoying your time in The Golden State.
