Best city to work in

[Mzjez]

Hi, I was just accepted into nursing school and I am really excited, but I am scared because everywhere I look I see hireing freezes. I realize I have two years and anything can happen durring that time but I would like some advice. Where is the best city for a 20 something new grad to obtain employment and work? I currently live in Alabama and am not intrested in working here for various reasons (no offense to fellow Bamians). I really like walkable cities and cities with good public transport, but I can drive if I have to...and then I know I can't be too picky, I'll even look into small towns, I just need suggestions.

Thank you!!

[carolina4]

Charlottesville, VA

[Mzjez]

I have acctually thought about Seattle, Chicago and even eventually Melbourne...which I think I have to have a BSN to do, but was unsure about the public transport in Seattle and in Australia in general. Wow, its funny that every place I had considered showed up on this reply. How is the public transport situation in these two areas? The only thing I don't know about chicago is the job market and the pay for a new grad. Thank you so much for the suggestions

[Mzjez]

One more question about Melbourne, which nursing and midwifery board would I email with a question?

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

In Australia, there is also the city of Brisbane. It's part of Queensland Health. I know that they hire new grads. It's a great place to work and live. It's a relatively easy process - just go to their website and go from there. Remember a agent is not necessary for nurse jobs in Australia or NZ.

In NZ, I have seen many US RN's, however I am not sure if international new grads are hired ? However I feel it may be a possibility.

Over there, the employers are called DHB's ( District Health Boards). Auckland DHB is a good choice. Waitemata DHB ( also in Auckland region) isn't an optimal choice due to huge workloads in its main hospital.

For the poster who wanted to know if US nurse practitioners can work in NZ? They have quite a few but the discipline isn't as developed as in the US. I know there is a US one in South Auckland in Family Practice.

[JomoNurse]

i think Southern California pays too much. I've only been working for about 1 year and only have a 2 year degree. I'm making $40+ an hour. It's a complete shame to all of the people who have spent 6 years in school and can't even find a job. and when they do, it's for scraps. i'm happy to be making what i'm making, but quite honestly, the level of education that is required to make what i make is absolutely absurd and substandard.

[Mzjez]

What city in Socal do you work in? I've heard through the grapevine that it is hard to get jobs in Southern California is that true? Also which hospital system are you working for and is your rent outrageous in southern california?

[talaxandra]

I have lived in Melbourne most of my life - I have never owned a car and rarely take taxis (three times in the last eighteen months). While services vary, and are certainly less frequent the further you are out from the CBD, every metropolitan hospital is easily accessible by at least one of our three forms of public transport (trains, buses and trams/light rail).

For example: St Vincents has half a dozen lines tram lines go past or near it; RMH is one block away from almost every tram line and has one go right past and two a block away in the opposite direction; RCH is serviced by two trams; the Alfred is half a block from 6 lines, has one tram go straight past, is about 100m from a bus line and a block from a rain station; MMC is 5 min from a train station (Clayton) and has a bus stop outside (Moorabbin). Metlink has a fantastic journey planning site that shows you how to get from one place to another using public transport.

Although a national body is in the wings, at present Victorian nurses are regulated by the Nurses Board of Victoria. Conditions and wages in public hospitals are universal within each state, thanks to the Victorian branch of the national nursing union. This includes leave provisions, ratios, dispute resolution and pay, and applies to all nurses employed in the public sector. Separate but similar arrangements (sans ratios) apply to each private facility.