Nursing, California Style

Article Outline

 

California OR nurses know a thing or two about high standards. The AORN 2009 Chapter of the Year, Central Valley Chapter 0520, hails from Modesto, setting the bar for OR nursing in a state that boasts 29 other chapters. These nurses serve the most populated state in the nation (37 million residents), but the Golden State also has the lowest ratio of RNs per capita—an average of only 622 per 100,000 residents, 20% lower than the US average. This market offers great opportunity.

According to the California Board of Registered Nursing, there were 348,954 active RN licenses as of March 2009. Federal data from the State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates from May 2008 listed 240,470 RNs working in the state. The median hourly wage was $38.93 and the mean hourly wage was $39.92, with a mean annual salary of $83,040—considerably more than the national RN mean annual of $66,490. Where are most of these nurses working? The California Hospital Association claims 450 members, including 20 hospitals that have achieved Magnet™ status.

A 2006 survey by the California Board of Registered Nursing found that 90% of licensed RNs younger than 55 were working, 84.6% of those 55–59 were working, and 72.7% of those 60–64 were working. The average age of a California RN was 47.1 years; 45.5% were older than 50. The average age of new graduates was 27. Nearly 62% of all RNs were directly involved in patient care and 63% in acute care, with an average work week of 36.3 hours. The RN ethnic makeup was 64.3% white, 16% Filipino, 5.7% Hispanic, 6.8% Asian, 4.5% black, and 2.8% other. Slightly more than 10% were men.

Suzy Axt, director of perioperative services at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, says the best thing about practicing in California is the state itself: “The area supports any outside interests, culture, religion, and ethnicity. We are a true melting pot with emphasis on the whole person.”

California is the only state in the nation with mandated RN to patient ratios that are meant to ensure safety and satisfaction for both patients and nurses. The California Nurses Association says no RN can be assigned responsibility for more patients than the specific ratio, based on patient acuity and scope of practice laws. The current ratio for operating rooms is 1:1 and 1:2 for postanesthesia recovery units. Furthermore, a 2009 study found that California RNs experienced wage growth between 5% and 12% higher than nurses working in other states after the 2004 passage of legislation mandating those ratios.

What's happening in OR suites there? Axt, whose medical center is near Los Angeles, observes, “Many outpatient facilities are opening up in the area. The opportunities for employees are diverse, supporting any family needs. Acute care facilities are also building to meet earthquake standards. They support new technology, individual patient rooms, and ergonomic work areas. …With these new building campaigns, we have been able to upgrade our suites and now have HD integration. Our laparoscopy business has grown, and we have added SILS procedures for patient early recovery and satisfaction.”

The state government estimates that 9,900 RN positions will open this year; check out the listings on the following pages to find one that's right for you. Axt says, “We have opportunities in all areas and will welcome new nurses with open arms. Once they get here, they will want to stay.”