Job opportunities in a new state for a new grad?

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi all 🙂 I'm a pre-nursing major and I have already completed general requirements (sciences, liberal arts, electives) at a community college. My goal is to move out of state in the near future. I would love to go to school out of state, but I think the tuition is too steep: State schools will run me about $32K and private universities are around $50K for a 2 year program. Compared to $16K for 2 years in my home state, where I will most likely stay... My concern is that if I finish my degree in one state and move to another, I won't have proper connections to find a job (especially as a new grad). I know I could stay and work for a while if I made connections during clinicals in my state. However, I don't think another employer would like to see a short-period stint because they may feel that I will do the same to them. Plus, I doubt an employer will want to train a new grad knowing that I don't plan on staying long.

Have any of you went to school in one state and then moved cross country without any work experience? Were you able to secure jobs shortly after? Do you think it's a bad idea? 🤔 I just want to reduce the amount of student loans I'll need.

Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Florida Hospital in (duh) Florida has multiple campuses (like 14+, I think?) all over Central Florida (Orlando to Tampa) that hire out of state new grads, and I believe they pay relocation fees and they do have a new grad program but I think you must have your BSN. Keep in mind that Florida is now a compact state. Also, this both helps and hurts us, but there is no state income tax here.

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Hey y'all, sorry I've not responded to anyone... It's finals week at my junior college *fingers crossed*

I'm in California, the state that's basically driving the nursing craze! Lol. Every other person I meet is some sort of nurse or CNA, and is trying to get their foot in the door. There are A LOT of job opportunities here, I think we're one of the highest paying nursing states. The catch-22 is that they want a BSN and like 30 years of experience (although you're only like, 26). LOL. In the near future, I'd like to relocate to NY because my fiance has roots there and is well-established there. However, cost of tuition at a state school in NY will be double what I will pay in California. Applying to schools in both states and will make a decision when I receive my financial aid packet.

I guess my question is, for those of you whose school and employer were in different states, do you feel that not having "connections" made it harder to get a callback? I know some hospitals may offer you a job on the contingency that you pass the NCLEX. I'm worried about not having experience or my school being well known in another state. I'm afraid of moving and accumulating $30-$40K in debt, just to not be able to find a job.

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Thank you for the info! I will keep that in mind.

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Im from NC and went to school there and of course worked there. I graduated in 2009, when CA had that awful recession. We had CA new grads coming in packs to get a job and gain experience. My particular hospital typically hires about 100 new grads each year. Its a 920 bed level 3 trauma hospital. Cape Fear Valley in Fayetteville,NC. Anyway just throwing it out there for any new grads willing to relocate just for that 1 yr. exp. Its a military town and we know nurses use the hospital as a stepping stone. Also after 6months-1 yr. its soo easy to transfer to a specialty there. I got into Interventional Radiology then cardiac cath. I moved to CA last yr. & with my 8 yrs of exp & IR background I was offered multiple jobs with a solid 6 figure. At one interview I was talking casually with the manager and she said " you see that stack of papers" and points to a HUGE stack the size of a phone book, she says " those are my new grad apps" I said oh man! Glad Im not a new grad here!! She laughed and said we choose about 27.. CRAZY! Not in NC, no way. Just FYI to new grads.. NC is VERY new grad friendly :)

Wow! Six figure salary?! Very impressive... To be honest, I always thought people chose nursing school because of the stability (financial, housing, guaranteed schedule). I'd never thought I'd have to move to become a nurse or go to school. Sadly, I've been hearing this more frequently lately. The nursing field is expected to grow, but schools are rejecting more qualified applicants, and hospitals are not hiring the new grads. It's very confusing.

But yes, regardless of where I end up, I have thought about moving/commuting to the suburbs, where they're more likely to hire a new grad. I just need to do whatever it takes to get that experience.

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Specializes in MICU, Burn ICU.

Such great info especially about North Carolina hiring out-of-state new grads!

I have about a year left before graduating and have been stalking hospital positions to get a feel. I'm in the same boat as you OP, considering relocating. CA is so saturated and I don't want to waste any time! If I end up relocating with a job in hand, I'll let you know if connections are needed or not. I know a lady from NC who took an ICU position in Missouri right after passing NCLEX and knows no one so it's doable.

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