Can move anywhere for work

[groosegroose]

I realized recently I have an unusual luxury, in that I literally have nothing tying me down and I can basically move wherever to pursue work. Unfortunately, this is also tied with a declining budget post-school expenditures. I'm graduating in January, taking NCLEX in February. Assuming I pass the first time, does -anyone- have any advice about the optimal strategy for pursuing a job? My NCLEX/first licensure will be in Ohio. Should I get a reciprocal for one of the compact states in order to have more options for pursuing a job? Should I just get a reciprocal agreement for a place like CA where I have family to crash with if my funds run out due to not finding a job in a few months? Any advice?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think your idea of considering other locations where you have close friends or family is a good one. Not only would you have a temporary place to live should you find a job there ... but you would be able to present yourself to potential employers as having "ties to the community."

Employers may be hesitant to hire someone from afar who has no ties to the community - believing that they will be more likely to leave as soon as they find a job closer to friends and family. So, if you are thinking that you might need or want to move to find a job ... it makes sense to think first of those places where you already have some local ties.

[backinwonderland]

I was in your exact same position a year ago. What worked best for me was applying for places where I knew at least one person, and using that person's address as my contact information when applying (with permission from your friend/family of course). This makes you look more permanent to the hospital hiring you, like you've already moved there. In your cover letter you can also say that you're planning on moving there or that you're already in the process of doing so, so that the hospital knows you're serious about the position.

Another thing to consider is applying to jobs in rural areas, since they competition is much less in non-city areas (especially for new grads).

Good luck!