[KK7724]

Does anybody have info on the hospitals around the Charleston, SC area??? What is the pay like for new grads? Can I get into Labor and Delivery as a new grad with no experience??? Help, I'm clueless!

-Kristina

[BETSRN]

Originally Posted by KK7724

Does anybody have info on the hospitals around the Charleston, SC area??? What is the pay like for new grads? Can I get into Labor and Delivery as a new grad with no experience??? Help, I'm clueless!

-Kristina

It is often difficult to get into L&D as a new grad. It can be very overwhelming.
Go to hospitalsoup.com and go under hospital search. You can bring up any hospital in any state and look at the web sites. Go from there.

[SmilingBluEyes]

And after you use the above link to find hospitals, get in touch with their human resources websites or employee job lines. Find out who the managers of the OB/Labor and Delivery Depts are and try to meet with them, if you can, to discuss possible opening/future openings in their departments. You CAN get a job in OB right out of school; I did in 1997.

[KK7724]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

And after you use the above link to find hospitals, get in touch with their human resources websites or employee job lines. Find out who the managers of the OB/Labor and Delivery Depts are and try to meet with them, if you can, to discuss possible opening/future openings in their departments. You CAN get a job in OB right out of school; I did in 1997.

Thank you for the advice. I think I am a little confused on how to go about doing that stuff because right now I'm in Alabama....I am definitely thinking of moving to either Georgia or South Carolina, because the pay here for nurses in Alabama is probably the lowest in the country. I saw something on a hospital website about relocation assistance. Have you ever used or heard of how that works? I have heard that you can get a job in L&D right out of school and I plan to do 50 hours of my preceptorship in L&D, so hopefully, that will help me.

~Kristina~

[SmilingBluEyes]

yes you need to find hospitals offering such things are relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses. Be CAREFUL to read the "fine print", as you know no free lunch exists. Often the places offering the most eye-popping bonuses are the worst to work. I would find the hospitals in the Charleston area, look at their websites. Find what is listed and any bonuses they offer. Start calling HR departments to find out details. You can be interviewed on phone often, after submitting your online resume and application. Our hospital hires people from out of state frequently, after telephone interviews and background checks.

I wish you luck. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me. Happy Hunting!

[Nurse Alissa]

You are making a good choice with Charleston... its a beautiful area! I lived there for a while but now Im in Louisiana (please, dont ask!). I would recommend asking the SC forum, they are really nice! From what I have heard, new grad pay there is about $20 and the hospitals on Isle Of Palms are VERY nice!!

[KK7724]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

yes you need to find hospitals offering such things are relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses. Be CAREFUL to read the "fine print", as you know no free lunch exists. Often the places offering the most eye-popping bonuses are the worst to work. I would find the hospitals in the Charleston area, look at their websites. Find what is listed and any bonuses they offer. Start calling HR departments to find out details. You can be interviewed on phone often, after submitting your online resume and application. Our hospital hires people from out of state frequently, after telephone interviews and background checks.

I wish you luck. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me. Happy Hunting!

Thank you very much for your input and advice. I have another question for you.... Since I am in Alabama, should I take the NCLEX here where I am comfortable and if I do plan to work out of state, just pay the fees to apply for a license in another state? Our instructors say that you should take the NCLEX where you are comfortable and familiar and not to take it if you have a big move coming up or if you're getting married, etc. I don't really plan to work in Alabama, but I guess it would be good to fall back on. Also, how did you know you wanted to work in L&D? I loved it in clinicals and asked my teacher to let me go with another clinical group back to that unit. This is a really exciting time for me and the rest of my class. A nurse recruiter came and told us we should start applying for jobs around March if we are graduating in May! I can't wait! :hatparty:

~Kristina~ \^^^/

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally Posted by KK7724

Thank you very much for your input and advice. I have another question for you.... Since I am in Alabama, should I take the NCLEX here where I am comfortable and if I do plan to work out of state, just pay the fees to apply for a license in another state? Our instructors say that you should take the NCLEX where you are comfortable and familiar and not to take it if you have a big move coming up or if you're getting married, etc. I don't really plan to work in Alabama, but I guess it would be good to fall back on. Also, how did you know you wanted to work in L&D? I loved it in clinicals and asked my teacher to let me go with another clinical group back to that unit. This is a really exciting time for me and the rest of my class. A nurse recruiter came and told us we should start applying for jobs around March if we are graduating in May! I can't wait! :hatparty:

~Kristina~ \^^^/

Take it where you are comfortable......You can apply for licensure in SC or wherever you plan to live later. Some states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact ---but--- It appears as if SC is NOT a license compact state,so you will have to apply for licensure there when you move up (or ahead of time). Some states have interstate compact agreements where licensure in one is good another ---it appears AL and SC are not part of that agreement. But worry not, as long as you pay the appropriate fees and meet state requirements, it won't be a big deal to get a license there if you plan to move.
Just contact the SC State Board of Licensure as soon as you are sure you will be moving there to become licensed to practice there.

I knew I wanted to work L and D after my first child was born. I was out of town, and was delivered in a strange hospital by a doctor I never met til then. Well, I received phenomenal care (he was preemie and had a birth defect/surgery).My nurses were top-notch. I knew then and there I wanted to be an excellent, compassionate and caring nurse, just like they were. The experience and care I received really changed my life forever. No regrets, either. I wish you luck!!!