Relocating to a new state to find a job... How to go about it?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm currently in a new RN who has had no luck finding a job after almost a year of looking. I'm in Florida and I'm interested in expanding my job search nation wide and am willing to go any where. I already know that I have to get my license recognized by the other states I'm applying to but other than that I'm a little lost as to how I would go about moving somewhere for a job that might be across the country.

Here are my questions:

Do I apply for jobs online while still in my state and then relocate if offered the job or what?

How are interviews conducted?

What are the barriers for a new RN with no nursing experience as of yet in relocating and finding a job?

Thank you very much for any help offered in advance.

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Jeez. This is tough. I would recommend a travel nurse assignment but it sounds like you don't have any experience yet. The difficulty with moving to a new State is, what if things don't work out at your new place of employment? As they so often don't. It seems to me that, if you can afford it, finding work as a CNA, unit clerk, monitor tech, ect. might at least get you a foot in the door at a local hospital, and get a particular hospital familiar with you and you familiar with them. Just a thought.

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I relocated to TN from SC as a newish nurse (only had worked at peds office a few months).

First! Find where you WANT to live, pick a couple locations....then research hopitals, etc. Find out what the local newspapers are and look at job postings to get an idea of whether jobs are even there.

I knew I wanted to live in the mountains, even though I didn't know anyone in TN. Through my research I found out what the hospital system was and mailed my resume. I got a call back and then traveled there for the interview and was offred a position. This is your own expense. I dont really remember when i applied for the TN license but i know it was easy and didn't take long at all. I told the new job that i was looking for a home to buy and that I woulndt be moving to TN for like 2 months, that was fine, I actually attended orientation while staying in a hotel because my house wasnt closed yet. This was in 2005, when I guess it was easier to be hired at hospitals, so they waited for you since they were desperate for help.

Anyway, moved into my new house, HATED working at a hospital, didn't get the orientation promised, and resigned after a few weeks lol. But I found a new job in a few weeks so it's all good. And it sure wasn't in a hospital, yuck!

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PS I didnt take moving expenses or sign on bonus.......because then you are really stuck working there whether u like it or not. I am sooooooo glad I didn't pursue the sign on bonus.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Do not move until you definitely have the job. I moved across the country for a new job. I was interviewed over the phone, then they paid for my trip to have another interview, hospital tour etc. All of the offer letters were emailed, I signed and scanned them back.

I too am so glad I didn't sign a contract for a bonus....it's better for me personally not to be locked in.

Best of luck with your job search...(try NC btw)!!

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Yeah i think you mean SD or ND, because from my research NC is packed with new grads.

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Jeez. This is tough. I would recommend a travel nurse assignment but it sounds like you don't have any experience yet. The difficulty with moving to a new State is, what if things don't work out at your new place of employment? As they so often don't. It seems to me that, if you can afford it, finding work as a CNA, unit clerk, monitor tech, ect. might at least get you a foot in the door at a local hospital, and get a particular hospital familiar with you and you familiar with them. Just a thought.

Yeah, I'm an RN and RN's can't work as CNA's here; I've looked into it. So that's a dead end. They will not hire you as a clerk either. So anyone have any better advice for me?

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Can you work as an LPN? I just saw an ad for an lpn in Florida but they only pay $13.50 an hour? :crying2:

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Can you work as an LPN? I just saw an ad for an lpn in Florida but they only pay $13.50 an hour? :crying2:

Gee thanks for the sarcasm. You're truely a good person.

Why did I bother asking at all?

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Excuse me:eek: My dear friend I am trying to help you. The ad I saw today was the 1st LPN job that I have seen that doesn't say experience required. Yes, the wages here in Florida are terrible. But isn't $13 an hour better than no job at all? After you got your experience at that job you then would have at least some nursing experience. Isn't that better than nothing? :confused:

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Yeah, I wasn't trying to be sarcastic either. I'm just telling you what I know from experience. I graduated nursing school 25 years ago, and it was easy to get a job back then. However, I'd spent my senior year of high school plus my four years of nursing school working as an aide at nursing homes and hospitals, and I know how a foot in the door can swing the door open. But that does not seem to be an option for you. How about a medical assistant job in a physician office, if none are hiring RNs in your area? Did you get any experience at all while you were in nursing school, besides your clinicals? I'm surprised how many nursing students don't do this these days. I'm also telling you from hard earned experience that packing up and moving to a new State can turn into quite a nightmare if you're banking on a brand new, untested employer for your sustenence. I'd stay put unless you have substantial savings or a trust fund.

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Specializes in Home Care.

I saw a post yesterday about Washington, DC hospitals hiring new grads...hmmm not a job I'd want.

Here's the job listing on Indeed.

https://www.healthcaresource.com/mswashington/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.jobDetails&template=dsp_job_details.cfm&cJobId=695292&source=Indeed.com

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