Advice need on Relocating

[lvrodgers02]

Hi, I have been a RN for 6yrs now and I will be relocating to Augusta, Ga. Just wanted some feedback on when I should start applying for a job. I already have my GA state RN license. Should I apply once I move or should I apply months in advance?

[beeker]

If you apply in advance and are invited for an interview, will you be able to get to it? That should be your answer.

[AMN74]

You should apply in advance if you want to be employed at the time you move, or have an income shortly thereafter. Nursing jobs are sometimes hard to find (even for a nurse with 25 years of experience). If they ask you to interview you can ask them if it would be possible to do a telephone interview first. If they call you to talk about a job you should do as much research about that particular facility/floor/type of nursing that you can do and try a telephone interview. Sometimes they will not do that, but if they are really interested in you they will do that. Then you can schedule a face to face interview if you make it through round one of telephone interviews to see if the job is indeed what you expected. But jobs are not as plentiful as you might expect, so I would strongly suggest to start applying now, and put your resume up on job boards if you feel comfortable doing so. You never know what might come along. Of course you could also think about "travel nursing" and hook up with a travel company that has positions open in the area you are moving to and "try out" different facility jobs in that area before you find your niche.

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

You should apply in advance if you want to be employed at the time you move, or have an income shortly thereafter. Nursing jobs are sometimes hard to find (even for a nurse with 25 years of experience). If they ask you to interview you can ask them if it would be possible to do a telephone interview first. If they call you to talk about a job you should do as much research about that particular facility/floor/type of nursing that you can do and try a telephone interview. Sometimes they will not do that, but if they are really interested in you they will do that. Then you can schedule a face to face interview if you make it through round one of telephone interviews to see if the job is indeed what you expected. But jobs are not as plentiful as you might expect, so I would strongly suggest to start applying now, and put your resume up on job boards if you feel comfortable doing so. You never know what might come along. Of course you could also think about "travel nursing" and hook up with a travel company that has positions open in the area you are moving to and "try out" different facility jobs in that area before you find your niche.

This is sound advice. I applied in advance. Once I had two hospitals that were interested in doing interviews, I flew out and had an interview day. While I was visiting, I toured the area and looked at apartments. It worked for me, but did cost me in airfare, rental car, hotel, food, etc.

[TBBRN2011]

I would definitely start looking now. I'm a military spouse and we moved from Texas to Kansas in June. It took me three months to find a job here. I ended up taking a job that pays a lot less than what I was making in Texas. I really wish I had started my job search earlier. Good luck!

[lvrodgers02]

Thankyou all for the advice really helpful. I will also ask about doing a phone interview.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I relocated, and had two phone interviews. Treat your phone interview as you would a face to face interview. Prepare in advance. I was hired, but I also had reference letters that could be emailed electronically, so this was an advantage. Many facilities conduct phone interviews, and if they are interested, the details can be negotiated. It just isn't feasible to pay to fly out for interviews. Unless I had a few interviews lined up, or I really wanted the position, phone interviews are the way to go.

[monkeybug]

It might not be a bad idea to get a South Carolina license, too, since it's so close. I worked at MCG for a bit as a traveler. Augusta is not the most exciting place in the world. Good luck with your job hunt!

[CP1983, BSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Hi nurses,

Have a quick question? I am NYC nurse, no experience but I am open to relocating. The jobs market in NYC isn't doing well for me since I have no connections to any healthcare professional. I just wanted to know how can I obtain a license in the state of my choice even if I don't move down there? I wanted to look and receive an offer before me, my husband and son make the big move. Thanks!