new on forum and need help in north carolina!!!

hi all! i am a nursing student graduating in december with my BSN, RN and i am moving straight to charlotte north carolina area upon graduation. i am frustrated because i need to find a job and places to apply but the career fairs around here and that my school has held have been no help because they have not represented north carolina. if anyone here is from charlotte area and knows of hospitals or career fairs or has any suggestions...please help me.... also do u think i should take the nclex in georgia before i leave or in north carolina? thank you for reading and for your help! God Bless!

Career fairs are only one way that new grads can learn about employment opportunities. Since you are moving to a new area, you will have to be a little more creative!

Try "googling" hospitals in Charlotte, NC, get in touch with the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce and request information on hospitals and healthcare facilities, go on-line and read the Charlotte Observer want ads, contact a real estate agent (you are going to need housing, after all) and ask for information.

There is no shortage of hospitals and healthcare facilities in this growing city and the surrounding areas. Once you have found a few that interest you, prepare a resume and cover letter and send them to the nurse recruiters, as well as the managers of the units that interest you. Follow up with phone calls. If they have no positions to offer, ask them to recommend other possible employers.

Finding a job in a new city takes time, effort and creativity. I wish you well!

Welcome to the site! I moved your post to the NC Forum for more responses. Good luck.

Hi ekirkpat. I'm in almost the same boat as you. I recently graduated from a PN program in NY and I'll be relocating to NC as soon as I pass the NCLEX (positive thinking) :wink2: . Here's how I'VE been handling it...I'm going to sit for the NCLEX-PN while still in NYC (but I'll be taking it for NC). While I'm waiting to test I've researched via internet and word of mouth all the hospitals and facilities in the area that we'll be moving to. I've also sent intro cover letters and resumes to the facilities that interest me most and I intend to follow up with phone calls in the near future. I'll be taking a trip to the area to visit and possibly have some interviews the end of the month. I would suggest that you do the same if it will be possible. But, DEFINITELY research the area hospitals first. See what interests you and call and/or send your resume to as many as possible. Also, if you already know someone in the area ask them to scan the local newspapers for you. That's also a big help.

You can use the following link to find hospitals in any state in the US.

http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/index.htm

Good luck on the job search and relocation.

Hey EKIRKPAT~

Don't be frustrated by the non-representation of Carolina hospitals. Look for NOVANT healthcare. They have at least one or two hospitals in Charlotte. I'll bet they have a pile of listings for jobs too. I work at a NOVANT site in Winston Salem. They have in-house contracts, plenty of overtime, etc.

cheers~tom

May I suggest looking on Yahoo for North Carolina newspapers, clicking onto the classified section, going to medical section and obtaining info regarding names and addresses of facilities listed in the want ads. My friend did this several years ago when we were new grad and was offered many, many jobs. She was offered free trips to inspect the facilities, some had bonus',

and others assisted in finding a place to live. I am sure there are many facilities who are interested in new grads, so just keep a positive attitude.

Oh, and have a resume ready.