has anyone moved across country?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

I relocated from my home state of California to my new state of residence, Texas.

I made the move in late 2005, which was a year of shortage for nurses. I relocated without a job or nursing license because I had just completed an LVN program six weeks prior. Once I passed NCLEX, I found a job the day after receiving my temporary LVN license.

The nursing employment marketplace has changed drastically since I entered it nearly 10 years ago. Nowadays, few states are willing to entertain new grad applicants from out of state unless they apply with a local address and nursing license number issued by the state BON where they want to work.

elkpark · Jan 19, 2015

I moved from NC to Dayton (OH) with my boyfriend at the time for him to attend grad school; returned home to NC a few years later, and, a few years ago, I moved from NC to PA. In each case, I job-hunted and found a job before moving. The internet has made it a lot easier to track down potential jobs, and I've traveled for interviews when requested (I am the queen of roadtrips and cheap motels ...). The only time I've ever done a telephone interview was, ironically, for a local position (they insisted on doing telephone interviews for everyone because one candidate far away had requested a telephone interview, and that was their policy, to be fair).

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

As a nurse, I relocated from AZ to CO. I was hired by a hospital before we moved, and they did a group phone interview (this was before Skype).

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

I have done it four times. (cross country) My first time out the gate I had a job lined up. (Phone interview back in the dinosaur age) The other times I just went and knew I could find a job. They were plentiful back in the 1990 till mid 2000.

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2015

I've worked Colorado, NM and California. Farthest east I've lived was Ft. Worth while at school. Had no problems getting my license in those states, although CA took the longest.

RN0323 · Jan 20, 2015

I was going to relocate from UT to TX, I applied and obtained 2 jobs both by phone interviews. Life happened and I ended up not going, but I am still shocked at how simple it was.

melcolbstorm · Jan 25, 2015

THANK YOU ALLL!!! When you did your resume did you put your home address or the address you were moving to??

umad · Jan 25, 2015

If you're mind is set on a particular state, it definitely helps to get licensed in that state (or at least be in the process of it).

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2015

1989 Moved from Minnesota to San Diego. I visited the area first, went on 7 job interviews, was offered 6 jobs before I left for home, and the 7th offered after I got home. The hospital I chose trained me for ICU (CVICU), I had 2 years of med/surg experience. The hospital also gave me a sum toward my moving expenses. It was a great experience.

Fast forward to 2006 moved from Florida to Minnesota. Hospital paid my expenses to come interview. They also paid my moving expenses. Been here ever since.

I highly recommend before you move cross country that you have employment secured in the area you plan to move.

I also agree that if you are serious about moving to a certain state that you show that you are serious by having a license in that state.

Katie71275 · Jan 25, 2015

I relocated from Louisiana to Raleigh, NC in may 2014. I interviewed over the phone and was already int he process of obtaining my license(or had just obtained it..I can't remember). No video interview at all thankfully. I think it's easier to get a job out of state if you have a license for the state you are moving to as it looks like you are seriously interested in moving.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2015

I did. I moved from Texas to NY. However, my then-boyfriend at the time lived in NY(the reason I was moving) so I set up an in person interview during one of my visits there(arranged by phone beforehand.) I interviewed at several places on that one visit. I received offers either at or soon after the interviews and set up start date at my new position. All coordination after that was by phone until I moved. I think I had the process rolling already for licensure in NY before I started looking because I knew I was moving there, it was just a question of when.