Ft Meade area

Jules A, MSN · Nov 15, 2008

Hi,

I love the area. We are close to Balto., DC and the need for nurses is strong. Our pay rate is good, imo, and the cost of living while not cheap isn't horrible. If you have kids I'd check out Columbia because Howard Co schools are supposed to be really good. There are tons of hospitals that you could apply to. Welcome.

ms. ann · Nov 15, 2008

Hi,

The job opportunities in this area are great. I live in Columbia and work in Towson at GBMC, not too bad of a commute but not great. Other close hospitals include Howard County General, St. Agnes, Montgomery General, Holy Cross, lots in downtown Baltimore-Hopkins and MD. Children's Hospital in DC would be a bit of a commute but I did consider it as a new grad but decided for a somewhat shorter commute. I believe most new grads start out around $24 an hour but not sure with experience what most hospitals start at. Good luck in your search.

SiennaGreen · Nov 15, 2008

I would say you have lots of opportunities. Baltimore has lots of teaching opportunities between the various CC's (which are excellent) and University of Maryland and Hopkins. Housing is also a great deal right now too.

Will you be renting or buying? Baltimore is very accessible from Anne Arundel County. In particular, I would say look at Crofton, Crownsville, Severna Park, Pasadena, Odenton and Annapolis/Arnold to the south. It is really difficult to say "such and such an area is nice, and such and such is not" because everyones tastes are different. Some areas are distinctly a little more high brow, and some are charmingly home grown.

As far as avoiding areas; Baltimore City/County is having a revival and has some great areas, but definitely iffy if you don't know where to begin. Also, many people caution against Olde Mill and Glen Burnie.

County schools are county schools, and they are all good. The difference will be the kids you're kids go to school with.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy your time here!

Froggy_Jess · Jan 27, 2009

Hi. I am a nursing student at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. My husband works at Fort Meade, and we live in Odenton. I would recommend checking out the Columbia area as far as a place to live. You may also consider the Piney Orchard area in Odenton. As for a hospital, consider Howard General Hospital (Columbia) and Johns Hopkins (Baltimore). Howard is a smaller hospital in a suburban setting, while Hopkins is a larger teaching hospital in Baltimore. A friend of mine is a Peds nurse at hopkins and loves it. Good luck to you!

*ac* · Feb 5, 2009

The larger teaching hospitals are University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, and DC Children's. From Maryland, the commute to DC Children's is not great.

The other hospitals have small peds units, you are expected to float to PICU, NICU, mother/baby, peds ED, etc. depending on the hospital.

Hopkins seperates their peds by age.

Maryland groups all peds kids together.

With your experience, you can get hired anywhere, especially if you have PICU or NICU experience. Look at their websites, and apply early - there is more hiring now than there will be in the spring/summer, when most peds units slow down.

FutureNurse2B · Apr 2, 2009

I would definitely suggest you come to the University of Md to work. I am a peds nurse here. My fiance and I life in Odenton and my commute to work is about 20-25minutes straight down 295. Its so easy! He is air force and works at Ft. Meade. Convenient for him b/c we live right across from the base, but convenient for me too b/c downtown baltimore is so close. The pay is decent. I started as a new grad here at $24.50/hr. Of course they would start you off better since you have experience. Good luck.