Moving from one state to another can be as easy as ABC, providing you plan and make it a nice smooth transition.
There are certain variables which you are able to control and there are certain ones you can't.
It is certainly easier to transition if you have a job to go to.
After you have decided to move states, you have picked where you want to live, the first step should be to secure your nursing license for that state.
It is important to remember that many jobs will not look at applications from RN's who are not licensed in the state they are applying for.
So my advice is to obtain a license sooner rather than later. If you go to the State board of nursing sites you can find information which will give you an idea of how long it will take to obtain a license there. Remember this can take anything from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
At the bottom of every allnurses.com page, you will find a link to each state Boards of Nursing to obtain license endorsement information .
Unless you do not need to work, I would not hand in my notice and leave my current job until you have the license you need for your new job.
If you have a compact state license and want to work in another compact state, then the process is simpler. Go the NCSBN website to view which states recognize Nurse Licensure Compact At the moment 24 states are compact states, so only another 28 to go!
When looking for a job in another state, there are some good web sites which you can go to, you can post your resume online and often recruiters will contact you.
If you know where you would like to work then go to the hospital of choice web site and look under job opportunities.
Often if you are coming from another state or live a long way from the hospital, they will do a series of telephone interviews.
Some companies will fly you out for interviews. New technology such as video conferencing and webinars can make the interview process easier, and much more cost effective than paying for flights.
Often companies will pay some of your relocation costs, especially if you have skills they want.
Wages and relocation costs can be negotiated after a successful offer of employment.
Just because you want to move for your own reasons doesn't mean companies aren't willing to reimburse some of your expenses. The worst thing they can say is no. Most companies have budgeted relocation costs but if they don't have to pay them, then they won't.
If they do pay some of your relocation expenses prepare yourself for a sign on contract of about 1-2yrs. Normally money will have to be paid back if you do not stay the required period of time.
When I moved across country from AZ to Oh it cost in excess of $9000, so do not sell yourself short!
Even if you don't get any expenses paid, you can put it against your taxes.
So now you have a license and a job, what next?
You have to find somewhere to live; this is probably the hardest part of the whole
process because unless you know the area you have absolutely no idea what you are getting yourself into.
Do not rush into accommodation and sign yourself up for a long term lease, unless you or somebody you trust says it is a nice area to live.
If you can fly out and view the areas then go and look around, if you can't then you will need to find storage for furniture and rent somewhere furnished on a week by week contract.
The journey! Plan it well, are you travelling in 1 car or 2? Are you going get one of your cars transported? Or are you going to travel in convoy with your other family members?
Take into account gas prices and hotel accommodation along the way.
Estimate how long it will take you to get there, try to allow enough time to travel and recover from the travel before you start your new job.
There are lots of options for getting your furniture from A-B, and all options come in a varied amount of cost.
You can move yourself, look out for the hidden costs of one way moving. Many moving companies will charge mileage and they will charge for the cost of the removal van going one way and not being returned to place of pick up.
Another option is to lease part of an 18 wheeler which can work out reasonable, as they will negotiate their empty space if they are going in your direction.
Often if you lease part of an 18 wheeler, it doesn't cost you much more to have one of your cars put inside too, and think of the gas you will save plus the wear and tear on your vehicle.
Lastly
If your move depends on your job, then make sure you have an offer in writing!
The travel expenses they are paying are normally paid up front, do not travel unless you have both.
Good luck
