Last Updated on September 28, 2022 by Admin
It can be hard to know which area is best when you think about 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 do some research into what each area has to offer and decide for yourself which nurse jobs will be the best fit. If you are looking for a new adventure this year, some of the top places 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 for 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 – 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 be at your best in delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare. We work to create relationships and work opportunities that allow you to have a better level of control over when and where you work. And we work hard to ensure we secure top-paying assignments for our travel nursing personnel.
Why it’s Important for a Travel RN to Do Your Research
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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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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
- Passing Score in Relevant Clinical Competency Exam(s)
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.
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 with ESP Personnel
Los Angeles, CA
$2,220.66/week (RN openings)
San Diego, CA
$2,349.30 a week (RN openings)
Lake Isabella, CA
$1,826.10 weekly (RN openings)
San Diego, CA
Daily pay $245 per 8-hour shift (LVN)
Long Beach, CA
Daily pay $396 per 12-hour shift (LVN)
Fresno, CA
Daily pay $267 per 8-hour shift (LVN)
Kentfield, CA (San Francisco area location)
$2,000 weekly (RN openings)
Case management
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.
With COVID-19, Traveling Nurses are in High Demand in California
Healthcare facilities have been paying premium rates for traveling nurses. The state Department of Public Health agreed to pay premium rates for ICU nurses and more if a facility had a “critical need.” The money is good enough that nurses can afford to take weeks off at a time after challenging assignments. Traveling nurses say it’s rewarding to come in and “save the situation” at facilities in dire need of extra hands.
Healthcare facilities have long relied on traveling nurses to fill gaps in staffing. For example, nurses traveled from unaffected areas to hot spots like California, Washington State, and New York to help with regional surges early in the pandemic. But now, with virtually every part of the country experiencing a wave, the competition for the finite number of available nurses is becoming more intense.
California hospitals facing nursing shortage, in part because of concerns about safety during the pandemic https://t.co/w354pIQwKf
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 31, 2021
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.
