Can't decide between CO and TX

[covered_in_fur]

I'm set to graduate in August from a BSN program in Colorado but am originally from Texas. Recently, I've been getting panicky about finding a job because I don't want to work in a hospital setting. I really liked my peds rotation, especially peds ED but kind of hated the ED culture. Anyway, I would love to work in a public health or community setting but since I don't have any job currently, it's incumbent on me to find a job ASAP after graduating. I had thought of moving back to Texas because I miss friends and family but also because I could live rent free with my parents until I found a job but the problem then changes to one of lack of connections. Not that I have a ton here but I do have some.

So then, I start thinking it's more of an issue of jobs. Is the market better in Texas (Houston and Austin specifically) or Colorado? A lot of other posts about job market stuff that I've been reading are super old so I thought I'd ask anew.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Houston and Austin are both difficult for new grads; Austin in particular is extremely saturated with new grad nurses. I have heard Colorado is also tight though. I would not move without a job offer in writing with a firm start date.

You will find community health and other types of positions difficult to get without 2 years or more of acute care experience. You may wish to work Pediatric med-surg until you have enough experience to be attractive to those coveted out-of-hospital pediatric positions.

[COGirl7]

I'm not sure where you are at in CO but why don't you check into school nursing. I work for Denver public schools and we are always looking for nurses. We are hiring now for the next school year and I believe our start date is August 14.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Can't hurt to apply to jobs in both locations. Wherever you secure a job, apply to take NCLEX for licensure in that state.