Huge dilemma about relocating (new grad)

caliotter3 · Jan 14, 2010

Chances are, depending upon what you say in the interview, that the employer would expect to lose you after you have obtained experience. If you can tell them that you need work at home and will leave when that opportunity presents itself and they still offer you a position, then maybe it would work for the purpose of getting your first experience. But I don't think they will hire you. They probably think you won't get the license without being serious. Personally, if your husband can afford to support the family, I would hold out for a job at home.

Another thought. What if the job in NY turned out to be everything you would ever want and then some? How would you be about getting your husband to move to NY? Probably would not work. If you could get a job offer at a place where your husband could get a transfer to, or another job offer at, so you could move as a family, that would be better.

Bobbkat · Jan 14, 2010

Thanks for the response. The good thing about my husband is that while he loves what he does, if I found something I absolutely loved, he would be willing to talk about finding another job there. But obviously, this is not an option right now while I am just looking for my first 'get the foot in the door' position. Plus, we really do like it here in CT.

My big fear is just that the job market won't turn around for another year or so, and in that space of time I will become just some lady with no experience, a license, and a BSN to recruiters. Not even an excited, shiny new grad.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 14, 2010

My husband and I lived 165 miles apart and see each other on the weekends. Its a 3 hour drive one way.

It works for us.

This said, we are in our 50's (gosh, hurts to write that!) and don't have kids at home. So...we make it work.

When we had kids at home, hubby was gone a lot due to his job (military) - so IMHO, it can be done but at what cost?

I would sit tight in CT, volunteer and wait for an opening.

Bobbkat · Jan 15, 2010

Thank you for your input. I'm leaning towards sitting tight. I'm relieved to see that so far no one seems to think that this would leave me completely unhirable if it means sitting for more months until I can get a job.

mmulligan23 · Jan 15, 2010

I totally feel your pain! My husband was relocated to Huntsville, AL this past July, and I was left behind in South GA with our 3 daughters to finish my last semester of Nursing School. I have graduated, taken and passed the NCLEX, gotten my Alabama RN license, but haven't gotten a single response to any job I have applied for. It is very frustrating. I had several job offers while doing my clinicals, but can't even get an interview now. I just want to be a nurse. That's all! My husband too, makes enough money for the family to live off of, but I want to be able to save money for the betterment of our family. I was asked to come to a hospital in Atlanta, GA (a 4hr drive), but it is not an option for the same reasons as you. I wish I had advice, but I'll be following your post, and hoping that someone has an answer for both of us. Good luck with your job search. I don't know if you are a spiritual person, but I will say a prayer for you and your family.

EDRN-2010 · Jan 15, 2010

Are you applying for only hospital jobs? There are many assisted living/home health type facilities hiring in CT right now, Hartford Hospital is hiring new grads and has a new grad residency program listed on their website, as does Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, and danbury health (not sure where in CT you live), there are a few other hospitals in the Hartford area. The state of CT had a couple jobs listed as well that said new grads welcome, do you live in the eastern part of the state near RI or MA? I have been scouting out the job prospects since I graduate soon...I went to the online yellow pages and typed in hospitals and CT for location and went to the websites for all the listed facilities - there were a lot more than I realized! Also, some of the smaller nursing home places do not have websites and you have to go in person - you can find out where they are near you

on the web though. Another thought, Have you had any interviews? Have you had someone review your resume to see if it needs tweaking? I live in the area and am finishing up school this term, many of my friends have found persisitence to be key. They follow up via phone call/email regarding the status of their application in addition to going to the locations with copies of their resumes in hand. Whatever you do, good luck, do not give up!

Bobbkat · Jan 17, 2010

Thank you again, for the responses. I'm in eastern CT. I've applied all over CT, as well as RI, MA, and a few other states. I've applied for all the new grad programs as well as 'new-grad friendly' (and some not so new-grad friendly) positions, but haven't even got an interview. I'm so frustrated. Hartford Hospital has new grad positions, but they won't give me the time of day. I have two bachelors degrees, a 3.8 gpa, excellent clinical evaluations and references, have been through resume writing workshops twice....sigh. Can't get the time of day from anyone. I think I shot myself in the foot by not working in a hospital while in school....but our daughter was an infant. My family, who watched her during school just couldn't give me anymore hours than they already were, and to pay for the extra daycare for her would have cost more than I could make.

Ultimately though, I've decided to not even interview 3 hours away. I'd be miserable living away from my daughter and husband, adn that wouldn't do anyone any good.

EDRN-2010 · Jan 18, 2010

If I were you I would do one of two things, either go to hartford hospital and see if you can meet with HR or call and ask to volunteer and or shadow there to get your foot in the door to network with the nurses. They are a great facility but kinda suck at calling people back. I have a friend that applied for 6 months to every job they posted (she had experience) then finally went down and got to talk to someone, she was called for a second interview and hired 2 weeks later. Maybe she was just lucky. I am sorry you're having so much trouble, sounds like you are a great candidate! Good Luck!

Thank you again, for the responses. I'm in eastern CT. I've applied all over CT, as well as RI, MA, and a few other states. I've applied for all the new grad programs as well as 'new-grad friendly' (and some not so new-grad friendly) positions, but haven't even got an interview. I'm so frustrated. Hartford Hospital has new grad positions, but they won't give me the time of day. I have two bachelors degrees, a 3.8 gpa, excellent clinical evaluations and references, have been through resume writing workshops twice....sigh. Can't get the time of day from anyone. I think I shot myself in the foot by not working in a hospital while in school....but our daughter was an infant. My family, who watched her during school just couldn't give me anymore hours than they already were, and to pay for the extra daycare for her would have cost more than I could make.
Ultimately though, I've decided to not even interview 3 hours away. I'd be miserable living away from my daughter and husband, adn that wouldn't do anyone any good.

aura_of_laura · Jan 18, 2010

If you don't absolutely need the income, focus on things close to home! After spending a few years in nursing school, I'm sure your family would love to have you around... Think about volunteering in the community for immunization drives, community health education, crisis centers, or even things that are only marginally related to nursing. While a career can be nice, maybe there are other things you should be focusing on right now. Once you make connections in the community, opportunities will open.

Joella21VA · Jan 20, 2011

I feel your pain...I am in a similar situation as you are. I have applied to every new graduate program in CT as well as other positions and still nothing. I have 2 bachelors degrees as well as a Masters in another field and an excellent gpa and references but none of that seems to matter. I keep hearing people say that these programs are competitive (blah blah etc) but quite frankly I find that hard to believe. There is no way that someone can pay me to believe that somehow I cannot "compete" with the best when it comes to grades and experience. I think that is about who you know and/or where you had clinicals in the state. It is very frustrating because I had made several follow up calls/emails regarding the status of my applications and most of the time I can't even get a return email/call. I have been calling the HR person at L&M for about 3 weeks now and she never seems to be in the office. Tough market in the NE...I wish I knew someone in that area who had pull to get me at least an interview.

Good Luck!