Relocation Advice?!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Alright so I living in south Florida, specifically Miami and I've been searching for a job for 3 years with no success. I have gone as far as to drive 4 hours north to Orlando for an interview (because they refused to do a skype/phone interview), and still did not get a job. That was for an intro level RN position. I have been working as a school nurse for 5 years taking care of a large verity of patients in mostly self managed clinics. That isn't considered "real hospital experience" So no one here will even give me a chance...

So after 3 years and hundreds of denials I've finally applied out of state I have Hospitals actually show interest but one wants an answer while I'm still interview for another. The hospital that want's an answer is a small hospital in a very small town 2 hours south of San Antonio, Tx near the border. Its a very small hospital but I would see a large verity of patients. Most critical care cases will be sent off to larger hospitals. They offered me a job and honestly sound like they really need a Nurse

Second job is in Springfield Illinois, large well established teaching hospital that just opened up a new center so there are a lot of openings. The floor I applied for has 8 openings alone.

Both are 3/12 shifts, pay around $27/ hr and are willing to pay the same sign on/relocation bonus. My issue is that Texas want's an answer soon while I still have one more interview with Illinois. I have never lived on my own and have no family in either state so that alone is terrifying. I'm torn on what to do. I could say yes to Texas but I don't want to agree to a job just to possibly say 'sorry not interested' later. So I'm really not sure what to do... If I should jump on the offer I have or wait for a job which still has a high chance of being offered.

Libby1987

3,726 Posts

If you were my daughter I would say the large teaching hospital.

My daughter moved out for the first time to go to school in a border town but it is San Diego, not south Texas. Even there she has seen some stuff we never saw here at home, it is definitely making her more worldly. She at least had her brother and another high school friend down there.

In a larger hospital you'll have more opportunity for both growth and establishing a social network with people you know and work with versus people you don't.

ETA I just re-read and see that you have 5 years exp as a nurse, so not as young as I was assuming. I was thinking you were my daughter's age as you've never lived alone before thinking you were still living at home with parents.

Spuen

48 Posts

Thank you for the advise. Yeah I just turned 26, but my current job pays very little and Miami is ridiculously expensive.

babilidose

45 Posts

If you've never lived alone, I would wait for the Illinois interview. Both the south and the Midwest have very distinct cultures. However, going from living at home to living on your own in an incredibly small southern town won't make for the easiest of transitions. Also, a small hospital means more limited resources. If you're looking for growth potential, I'd stick with a larger hospital. When is the Illinois interview? And are those the only hospitals outside of the state you applied to? Or the first two you've heard back from?

Spuen

48 Posts

Thank you for the feed back! The interview with Illinois is Monday, it's with the floor hiring manager. If I make it past that they fly me to spring field for a final interview and shadowing (by that point the recruiter said an offer is highly likely.) I've still looking into other jobs in other states, pretty much open to any state. Issue is finding a job that doesn't require acute care experience.

Libby1987

3,726 Posts

You got a job as a school nurse at 21? I thought those were competitive positions?

And wow, you made it through nursing school so quickly!

Spuen

48 Posts

I've always loved nursing. I was in a LPN program in high school so I ended up taking the accelerated program for my Associates. My bachelors I haven't been able to finish because of money and I am horrible with online only programs...

The company I work for is desperate for nurses but that is mostly because the pay is 15/hr and no benefits. It's a wonderful company and I couldn't ask for a better boss. But the school distract is very cheep and doesn't want to spend a whole lot on school nurses. Some hospitals will hire nurses and pay them to work in a school with no charge to the district however those jobs are very rare.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Although this is my 11th year of living in Texas, never in a million years would I reside in any of the border towns along the Texas/Mexico border. The abject poverty, crime, and good ole boy culture are depressing.

Spuen

48 Posts

The town is not on the border but close enough, near Crystal City. Thank you for the warning though. I've applied at other places in Texas as well but haven't heard back.

VANurse2010

1,526 Posts

Although this is my 11th year of living in Texas, never in a million years would I reside in any of the border towns along the Texas/Mexico border. The abject poverty, crime, and good ole boy culture are depressing.

That sounds like why I would never live in Texas, period.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The town is not on the border but close enough, near Crystal City. Thank you for the warning though. I've applied at other places in Texas as well but haven't heard back.
Crystal City is in Zavala County, where more than 50 percent of the local population exists below the poverty line. The county's per capita income makes it one of the poorest areas in the US. It is very close to the border.

There's a reason this place is offering jobs to out-of-town nurses: very few people in the state would be willing to live or work there. Think about that...

Hoosier_RN, MSN

3,959 Posts

Specializes in Dialysis.

Yes, the border town job will always probably be available. But you have an offer. Many new grads in IL looking for jobs, and that state has its own issues, plus no offer has been extended. Only an interview. Accept the TX job for now, but state that you need to give extended notice (30-45 days). You can always say thanks but no thanks if IL pulls through. But this falls under same position as TX job. Why the need to recruit out of state and sign on/relocation bonus for someone with no acute experience. Teaching hospitals are MD teaching, not nurse teaching

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