Moving Advice Requested

[ulock25]

Hello,

I will graduate will my ADN in the Summer of '09 and may be moving due to my husband's job. Do you think I will have a problem getting a job as a new RN in a new state?

Thanks!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It depends on which state. There are approximately 6 Midwestern states that are experiencing "rural flight," also known as people moving away from these places en masse. RN opportunities tend to be very low-paying in these states (Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Iowa, and South Dakota) with a few exceptions. In addition, a couple of these states are projected to have a nursing surplus within the next few years, which means less jobs for nurses overall.

However, you should have no problems finding a nursing job in other states.

[ulock25]

Thanks for the info - I had no idea about the midwestern flight...the move will probably to Georgia...any tips about working in the South?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the info - I had no idea about the midwestern flight...the move will probably to Georgia...any tips about working in the South?

The job opportunities should be plentiful, since droves of people are moving to the Sunbelt region of the U.S. Pay rates for nurses in the Southeastern states tend to be lower than in other areas, and this is primarily due to the super-low cost of living. Regarding health conditions, you'll be dealing with plenty of diabetes, CVAs, CABGs, CAD, obesity, renal failure, and other issues that are not as common in more health-conscious parts of the country.

[ulock25]

Thanks again! I am currently living in New Mexico and love it here - any ideas of the general health concerns for this part of the country (as you can see I have not started clinicals yet)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thanks again! I am currently living in New Mexico and love it here - any ideas of the general health concerns for this part of the country (as you can see I have not started clinicals yet)

In the Southwestern U.S., there's a whole lot of diabetes and its related complications (blindness, nerve pain, renal failure, vascular disease). For some reason, DM really plagues the Latino and Native American populations, and New Mexico is a "majority minority" state. You'll also see plenty of overweight and obesity, tuberculosis, liver and gallbladder disease, alcoholism, meth abuse, MVAs, and industrial accidents.