I am planning on relocating from CA to South Dakota for an RN hospital position

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  1. Should I relocate

    • 10
      Yes
    • 0
      No

10 members have participated

I am excited and very nervous about the move from California to Rapid City, South Dakota! I am about 95% sure of moving and the other 5% reluctant to leave everything I know and love in CA! I am torn apart whether I should just bite the bullet and go or keep waiting for a hospital job in CA, which I don't even know when that may happen! I currently work at a SNF for 6 months and like everyone said, "you are risking your license..." I just wish the job offer was in CA! :( but unfortunately it's not... Has anyone moved to South Dakota or relocated out of state for nursing jobs and how did that work out? Opinions, opinions, opinions! Thank you :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I was born and raised in Ventura County, lived there until age 22, and moved to Bakersfield where I lived for another 2 years. I relocated to Texas in 2005 for my first nursing job and I'm still living here nearly nine years after making the move.

Believe it or not, life can be easier in other states when you no longer have to deal with the rat race that is part of California living. However, be cognizant that you will be dealing with some harsh winters in South Dakota. Good luck to you!

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Thank you! I was wondering are you thinking of going back to California or is Texas the place you want to be?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I have interviewed for several positions in CA. However, my interviewing skills are poor and I usually do not come across too impressively, so I am typically not selected for the job. Also, I have no acute care hospital experience, so I have the wrong mix of experience for many recruiters and hiring managers in CA.

So although I attempted to return in the past, I will stay put for now. :)

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When I first graduated from nursing school, I didn't relocate to another state, but I did move to another area of the state I was in, several hours away, a rural area v. different from the city in which I had lived for several years and attended nursing school, in order to take a job in my preferred specialty (employers in the city I was in didn't hire new graduates into specialty areas). It was a scary thing to do at the time, but it ended up being a great experience. A few years ago, I picked up and relocated to an entire different region of the country in order to get my career back on track, and that has been a good experience so far, also.

I say, do it! Best wishes for your journey!

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I also recommend moving out. Cali is rough, and it seems like it is not going to get any better soon. Don't waste your time here. After I graduated I was looking for 8 months for a job in CA. Then I got a great opportunity in NC. I am finally doing what I originally planned to do. It is going to be 2 years soon, and even though I am trying to get back to Cali, I still am happy that I made that move. I wish I wouldn't have to start looking for jobs in CA but 2 years living across the States from my husband is too long.

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