Advice for new nurse moving to CO

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Hello fellow nurses! I am looking for some advice from Colorado nurses. I am hoping to move from New Jersey to your beautiful state in the next 6 months or so, to be closer to my family. I have a BSN but I only have about 6 months of nursing experience, all of which is in medsurg. What do you think is the best approach to finding a job in CO? I have been looking in the Denver area but am willing to go (almost) anywhere. I am finding that most positions require a minimum of 1 year acute care experience and the ones that don't are hiring new grads only who have NO experience. I would *like* to avoid another medsurg position and work in pediatrics, but I am very open to any option. Anyone have any suggestions to help me with this move??

THANK YOU!

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Find a job first. Then and only then should you move.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Agree with Summit. Also, I was unclear if you will have 1 year or 6 months of experience by the time you're hoping to move. But your best bet is to start applying after you have at least that golden 1 year.

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My brother and sister-in-law in Boulder, CO are looking for a nurse to take care of their 11 month old baby while they work. She has VATER/Vacterl syndrome: esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula so she has choked and stopped breathing several times, which is why they are looking for a nurse instead of a regular babysitter or nanny.

If that is something you are interested let me know. Or after you've moved, if you are looking for a second job, they probably need an occasional sitter for evenings or weekends. They are willing to pay the market rate for a nurse.

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I know this posting is old, but some advice for people trying to move here...

I moved here from Texas due to my husband's military assignment. I had just graduated RN school, so took a job as a peds home health LPN right away to have an income, and a job until I passed the NCLEX. Just the process of trying to get everything in order for DORA to allow me take the exam was a complete hassle for starters, meanwhile in Texas all of my classmates had hospital jobs lined up BEFORE graduation. I participated in a new grad phone conference for Centura Health, basically they said don't even bother applying until you have your license. I passed the NCLEX 2 weeks ago, still waiting on my license to appear.

The story seems to be that this is a very competitive nursing market out here. The home health company I work for is loaded with RNs, and now I know why.

I hope this helps anyone who actually has a choice to secure a job BEFORE you get here!

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I know this posting is old, but some advice for people trying to move here...

I moved here from Texas due to my husband's military assignment. I had just graduated RN school, so took a job as a peds home health LPN right away to have an income, and a job until I passed the NCLEX. Just the process of trying to get everything in order for DORA to allow me take the exam was a complete hassle for starters, meanwhile in Texas all of my classmates had hospital jobs lined up BEFORE graduation. I participated in a new grad phone conference for Centura Health, basically they said don't even bother applying until you have your license. I passed the NCLEX 2 weeks ago, still waiting on my license to appear.

The story seems to be that this is a very competitive nursing market out here. The home health company I work for is loaded with RNs, and now I know why.

I hope this helps anyone who actually has a choice to secure a job BEFORE you get here!

HCA is currently accepting applications for their StaRN program if that is something that might interest you.

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Thank you for the reply! What exactly is that program? Still no license # by the way í ½í¸¬.

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Thank you for the reply! What exactly is that program? Still no license # by the way ������.

This is from their website, where there is more information listed. You just have to have passed your NCLEX by the start of the program, not to apply.

We invite new graduate registered nurses to apply for a unique opportunity to be given didactic and clinical training in either ICU, Progressive Care Units, Telemetry, or Medical/Surgical. This program will allow new graduates to obtain specific experience through an intensive residency program and then transition to staff roles within the nursing departments of HCA/HealthONE Hospitals.

They also run new grad (or new nurse to these areas) programs for the ER, periop, and L&D.

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Thank you for the information, I truly appreciate your help:)

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Do you know how competitive this program is? I am graduating in May with a 3.95 GPA. Also, do you know a rough estimate of base pay?

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Hi everyone! This is pretty specific but does anyone happen to know anything about psych nursing in Denver? I am in school for PMHNP and I've been interested in moving to the area for quite awhile. I live in New Orleans so it has been difficult to find out information during my short trips there. Thanks!

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I just accepted an offer for the STaRN program starting June 19th. You can find more info on the website but pay-wise you get $24/hr during orientation and then you start getting shift differentials after. You also don't qualify for benefits during orientation so that's something to think about.

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