Best Way for Soon-to-be New Grad to Land a Job in a New City?

Nurses Nurse Beth

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  • Career Columnist / Author
    Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Hi there Nurse Beth,

I will be graduating with my ADN in summer of 2018. I would like to relocate to the Seattle area after graduation, and am beginning to notice that most new grad residency programs prefer BSN's. What would be the best way for me to land a job as a new grad while relocating to a new city? (I currently live 3 hours east of Seattle, and moving to Seattle is a priority of mine once my first degree is completed.) I definitely plan on pursuing my BSN while working as a nurse. I am a single mother of 2 little ones, and I have no choice other than to start working ASAP. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated! Oh, and eventually my main goal is to work in dermatology... preferably at a clinic, so I can avoid the night shifts with my current situation as the sole caretaker of my kids.


Dear Loves Seattle,

Congrats! You are really wise to be thinking ahead for you and your kids.

There are no guarantees that you will be able to land a job as a new grad in Seattle. It is taking many new grads six months and longer to land their first job. As you said, you will be competing with other new grads who have their BSN degree.

Have you considered working in your home area for one year after you graduate? You have a better chance of getting a job, because home applicants often have an advantage over out of town residents, and because you can spend your clinical time wisely by networking and making contacts that can lead to a job after you graduate. You could even hire on as a nursing assistant in the hospital of your choice while you are in school, to increase your chances that much more. Managers like to hire people they know, because then you and your work ethic are a known quantity.

After one year of experience, you will be marketable in Seattle. Good luck to you.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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