Out-of-state Interviews, anyone?

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Hello! This is my 1st post so go easy on me. I have been a nurse (ED) for right at 2 years. I am currently in Georgia but my family and I (wife, 2 kids, and a dog) are looking to relocate across the country to Alaska. We have done tons of research and AK is really where we want to be but I am not going to head there until I have a job lined up. I am currently under consideration at 3 different hospitals. Does anyone know how out-of-state interviews go? I have read where some hospitals flew the applicant out if they were really interested and I have read where the applicant pays their way out there, which I DO NOT mind doing. I have also read about an RN who was able to have a webcam interview. Do any of you have experience in this area? Any info would be appreciated.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide

Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP

8 Articles; 4,362 Posts

Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

As a nurse who moved across states, I've been asked to fly to meet prospective employers for a face to face interview. The initial interview was conducted by phone. Then, I was told that they were "really interested" in hiring me and would like to meet me in person for a formal interview. I got the offer right after that face to face interview.

alrighThen

80 Posts

I was pleased to do my first and only interview in Washington state while sitting in my basement with pj bottoms on via Skype. I was offered the position that evening via email. Then they mailed me my drug test. I'm now in my new apartment after moving from Baltimore. Loving life.

Murse36

5 Posts

Thanks for the information, it really helped. I'm really hoping if they want an interview that they will consider Skype because while I am willing to pay for myself to get there, I'd much rather not have to pay $500 round trip for a job I may not even get!

Murse36

5 Posts

Also, mgngal, how do you like Washington state? If for some reason I cannot get on somewhere in Alaska, my wife has always wanted to go to Washington. Is it as nice as she is trying to tell me it is? If Alaska doesn't work out then I plan on doing travel nursing and WA and OR are on the top of my list.

alrighThen

80 Posts

Murse,

You really can't go wrong with moving to the PacNW. I lived in Kodiak AK for 3 years and it is beautiful with winters that I don't remember being incredibly severe. I wasn't in touch with the nursing community then so I don't know much about nursing in AK except that my one friend did a travel assignment in anchorage and he had such a terrible time with housing etc that he broke his contract and left.

I lived in Oregon for 13 years before going to the east coast and always felt like it was my home, and that really drove my actions when I decided I hated Baltimore. Now I'm 20 minutes from Portland. The cost of living is better than where I came from. Because I retained my Oregon residency I can shop without sales tax in both states, and with no WA state income tax I think it's a pretty cool thing. Plus my new hourly rate is almost 10 bucks more than I was getting at my old job. I love the Pacific Northwest.

Our problem is finding a respiratory therapy job for my fiancée. Those don't seem to be too plentiful.

Murse36

5 Posts

Well, I got a call and an email from the actual ED Director today and I have a phone interview set up for Thursday and if they like me then they're going to fly me up to AK for an on site interview. This is awesome!

alrighThen

80 Posts

Congrats! Best of luck to you!

Murse36

5 Posts

Congrats! Best of luck to you!

Thanks!

+ Add a Comment