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| |  New Grad - Move to CO?
Hi everyone!
I am set to graduate in April....(50 days!) RN here I come!
I am going to school in Virginia but I may move to CO to be more near my family. I have never been to CO myself.
I have been calling nurse recruiters at the hospital but haven't recieved a return call. 
The questions I have are:
1) Should I move out there first and then look for the job?
2) Should I take my NCLEX-RN before I move? VA and CO are compact states. I am just not sure what the best thing would be.
3) Is the cost of living decent? I have looked at some salary calculators but I am unsure of their accuracy.
I am looking to move to the Pueblo or Aurora Area.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! 
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Feb 28, 2008, 04:22 AM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO?
Since your questions concern some specifics about CO, I'll move to the CO forum.
I would think it would be less stressful to go ahead and take NCLEX first and then move. Because then you're dealing with the stress of moving and taking NCLEX. Plus stats show the sooner you take NCLEX the better your chance at passing. Pass rates decrease the longer you wait.
Good luck!
| | No. 2 |
Feb 28, 2008, 07:46 AM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO?
Excellent....thank you Tweety.
I appreciate your advice and I am looking forward to hearing from the gals and guys in CO.  | | No. 3 |
Feb 28, 2008, 06:19 PM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO? Originally Posted by la bellota  Excellent....thank you Tweety.
I appreciate your advice and I am looking forward to hearing from the gals and guys in CO. Hi La Bellota, Take your NCLEX before moving out here. It's a great bargaining chip when you're looking for work. Plus, it'll (stress and anxiety) be behind you, and you can turn your attention and efforts to the future. Cost of living is not decent out here. It's expensive, not as expensive as NYC, Chicago, but still, expensive. Real Estate is exhorbitant out here. Rent depending on where you live can get expensive. Coloradoans pay the highest taxes per gallon of gas, highest in the nation. Unfortunately, mass transit isn't great here either. So we spent lots of time on the road in our cars, paying mega bucks for gas.  I've lived in Colorado for 36 years, not a native, I live in what is considered the Denver Metro region. (Being a native Coloradoan is a big thing here. Don't ask me why, I can't know!  ) The Front Range is roughly from Fort Collins, to the north, and ending at Pueblo, to the south. It's known as the Front Range, because it's on the east side of the Rockies. Comparatively to the other towns on the Front Range, Pueblo is a small town. It's been struggling economically for years, ever since the steel mill shut down. Not a lot of industry, etc there, mostly small businesses. Pueblo only has one or two hospitals, if I remember correctly. I only go there once a year, the State Fair is held there. Aurora is part of the Denver Metro region, lots of hospitals, and/or access to other hospitals. Aurora is a multi-ethnic town. Before the economic crunch, they were building like crazy. I have to give you a warning. The altitude wreaks havoc with newcomers, we call it Altitude Sickness. I've had visitors get severe headaches, dizziness, and feel nauseous. It takes about a year to acclimate. My town is at 5480 feet, and the surrounding towns only vary by 500 to 600 feet. Ohhh, last thing! Wear sunscreen! We're 1 mile closer to the sun, and have 330 days of sunshine per year. Hope this helps. Good luck! Asia | | No. 4 |
Feb 28, 2008, 06:52 PM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO?
Thank you for the good advice, Asia.
Do you know anything about the schools? Particularly the Elementary Schools?
I am so sad to be leaving the place I consider home.....but it is getting quite expensive to live here as well. I figure maybe having family around will be helpful.
| | No. 5 |
Feb 28, 2008, 08:09 PM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO? Originally Posted by la bellota Thank you for the good advice, Asia.
Do you know anything about the schools? Particularly the Elementary Schools?
I am so sad to be leaving the place I consider home.....but it is getting quite expensive to live here as well. I figure maybe having family around will be helpful. I completely understand. Family is a good thing. Once again, schools, rent, etc depends on where you choose to live. Here's a link for schools, crime rates by cities, etc: http://www.larryhotz.com/denver-relo.../best-schools/ I quickly looked over the site, and it looks pretty good with lots of info for you, even school test scores. If I could make a suggestion, look over the hospitals---go to their websites, and really look them over. Most people here try to really reduce their commute time, with gas prices, traffic jams, snow and ice------it's just easier. Believe me, jobs are not a problem here, deciding which one suits you; will be a problem. Here's a link: http://www.metrodenver.org/living-here/healthcare We've had so many new facitlites open in the last 5 years, and some of the new ones already are in expansion construction. The very best of luck to you. Please feel free to contact me. Asia  | | No. 6 |
Feb 28, 2008, 08:29 PM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO?
Thank you so much again.
I am kind of leaning towards Aurora because we are a multicultural family. And Virginia Beach is pretty diverse.....so that might be a good match....because maybe I would not feel so homesick.
But if I could get to Pueblo, near my family, I would be estatic.
| | No. 7 |
Mar 13, 2008, 10:16 AM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO?
I lived in Virginia for 3 years and I can assure you the cost of living is slightly less here in Colorado than it is in Virginia Beach. And, while Colorado may have the highest gas taxes in the nation, the state is actually known for having the cheapest overall gas prices, on average, compared to any other state in the nation. And, as much traveling as I've done the last 6 months, I find this to be accurate.
Frankly, I love Colorado Springs. The state itself is just awesome and I've lived in enough to know from experience what I like and don't like (9 states in my 32 years of life, 5 of those in the last 9 years). I may never leave this place, if I get my way.
Good luck to you.  | | No. 8 |
Mar 23, 2008, 12:48 PM
Re: New Grad - Move to CO? Originally Posted by la bellota
Do you know anything about the schools? Particularly the Elementary Schools?
I grew up in Englewood (now known as Centennial) and went to the Cherry Creek school district which was great.
I briefly lived in Aurora when I was young, but I don't remember much about it.
I absolutely loved living there and actually will also be moving back once I graduate next year : ) I think I am also going to take my NCLEX in the state I am getting my degree from just so that it's done when I move and I can look for jobs right away.
The cost of living may be higher than some places, but it's a beautiful place to live with so much to do.
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