Does applying out of state look good?

RunBabyRN · Nov 24, 2014

I think it depends on the manager. I recently interviewed for a local job that had an applicant from PA. They were like, uh, no.

Additionally, if you're not licensed in that state, they may prefer someone who is. If you know you're moving there, make sure you get your license. It'll show that you're serious. Use your cover letter to explain that you already plan to move to VT, and look forward to securing a position there so that you can make the move, that you're excited about the move, etc. They want people who are committed to the town/local area. I had an informational interview at another place, and the manager was REALLY into having people who were psyched about that town and community, that knew the community, etc.

NewGradMayoRN · Nov 24, 2014

My experience has been that some will completely ignore your application without a local address but some don't mind. Either way, you need to make it clear in your cover letter that you already plan to move and maybe how you are committed/related to the area. Good luck!

KellyRN2013 · Nov 25, 2014

I am not sure how it is in Vermont. I work as a DON in VA and we have a lot of applicants from nurses out of state. It really is going to depend on how quickly they want to fill the position. If they need the position filled immediately your chances are slim for that position but if they have some time to fill the position then there should be no problem. The only reason I say this is because it can take anywhere from 4 weeks- a couple of months for the BON to transfer your license to their state depending on which information the BON will need, how long it takes for you to get that info to them, and also how long it takes for them to process the information. If they are pressing to fill the position they may not be able to wait another approx. 6 weeks for you to transfer your license to their state. If they are not pressing to fill the position then there should really be no issue! We definitely do not frown on out of state applicants. We understand that people make changes in their lives on a daily basis! We accept all applicants who are qualified for the position! Good luck and I wish you the best :)

SoaringOwl · Nov 25, 2014

Some states are next to impossible to break into. Vermont isn't one of them. I had no trouble getting interviews at Central Vermont Medical Center with an out-of-state address. I chose to stay in FL though, since the pay was about the same but my cost of living would be significantly lower here.

cat1235 · Nov 25, 2014

Thanks guys ... I do plan to get my license here in SC, because I think that's the only way we can do it ... our school hand delivers the final piece needed for our license application on the day we graduate to make sure they do get it ... and I'd feel uncomfortable arranging for my school to mail that piece to the VT BON ... and I'm not even sure if I'm able to test here in SC and get a license in VT to start out anyways. I was planning to immediately get my VT license endorsed as soon as my SC one shows up ... and as far as I know, the new grad program I'm hoping to get into is a few months process anyways ... so I should have time for my VT license to go through and become official. Also, their program site says that you can apply before youre licensed, but just need to have your license before work commences, of course.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2014

Thanks guys ... I do plan to get my license here in SC, because I think that's the only way we can do it ... our school hand delivers the final piece needed for our license application on the day we graduate to make sure they do get it ... and I'd feel uncomfortable arranging for my school to mail that piece to the VT BON ... and I'm not even sure if I'm able to test here in SC and get a license in VT to start out anyways. I was planning to immediately get my VT license endorsed as soon as my SC one shows up ... and as far as I know, the new grad program I'm hoping to get into is a few months process anyways ... so I should have time for my VT license to go through and become official. Also, their program site says that you can apply before youre licensed, but just need to have your license before work commences, of course.

You can take NCLEX wherever you please, it's a national exam. If there weren't any dates in a local testing site, for example, you could go to Georgia or North Carolina and take NCLEX there while living in South Carolina for licensure in Vermont. There is no reason to pay for a license you don't intend to use. Also, Vermont has a "practice requirement" for licensure by endorsement so it doesn't look like this process is going to be as easy as you think:

Nursing License Requirements in Vermont | Become a Nurse in VT

Just apply for your initial license in Vermont and you won't have to worry about it. You are not obligated to get a nursing license in the state that your school was located in. I'd say only about half of the people who graduated with me (or less) tested for MA licensure. I know people who graduated school in MA and tested in NY for licensure in DC.

cat1235 · Nov 28, 2014

Hm ... looks like I need to look more into this ... licensure is kind of confusing.

Well I wanted to initially get my license here anyways just in case I can't find a job in Vermont. I actually have a lot more options here in South Carolina because I'm kind of relying on Fletcher Allen (Now University of Vermont Medical Center) since I'm moving to the Burlington area and they have a great new grad program. But if I HAVE to apply to VT first ... I guess I will! Haha. I have faith that it'll all work out in VT hopefully, but I was just trying to be responsible and back myself up by having my license here as well. Because if it all comes down to the worst, I can continue to live here with my family for free and work in SC til I find a job in VT. Though I hope to find a job in VT first. Haha

cat1235 · Nov 28, 2014

From what I just researched - I don't have to work here for 50 days. I just have to go thru a little more trouble and submit some extra information/form(s) including one filled out by my school. I guess basically to show that the only reason I haven't been working in the initial state I have licensure in is because I am indeed a new grad. Ugh. All the paperwork involved in this stuff ... I need to be studying right now to graduate not doing all this stuff for licensure! Oh, the joy and stress of being in your last semester. Feels good and stressful all at the same time. Hallelujah to finishing!!!

cat1235 · Feb 10, 2015

For the record vt has received all my application by endorsement materials. Just had to send in the education verification form ... I did not have to meet any practice hours requirements since I was a new grad ffresh out of school. The process was not really difficult, just a little time consuming but only took a few days ...just had to do a few different tasks. If anyone was wondering or in my situation. Again, no practice requirements for new grads, so don't let that scare you if you've only been out of school for a little while and just passed the boards and got licensed in your home state.

_Skittles_ · Feb 10, 2015

The south and Midwest gets excited anywhere else not so much because they think you're less likely to come and have their fair share of candidates to choose from.

NewYorkerGirl · Feb 18, 2015

The south and Midwest gets excited anywhere else not so much because they think you're less likely to come and have their fair share of candidates to choose from.

I don't know about the south: I had no luck whatsoever in North Carolina. Applied to every residency I could find, had 2 interviews at a job fair, and no job. Plus, they have a state tax, AND lower wages than FL. I was offered a job in Nashville, but TN is pretty saturated and the pay is even lower than FL, with the same cost of living and no state taxes. FL is saturated, too.