I want to move out of state!

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Hey everyone,

I am going to be graduating in May of 2015 with my Associate Degree of Nursing from a Michigan college. I will get my RN license right away (as long as I pass the NCLEX) . :) I want to move to Georgia right away and begin my life and new career. I will also be obtaining my BSN and then Masters as soon as I can.

I have spoken to the BON in Georgia, and I know how to get my license enhanced, so that will not be the problem. The problem is that I do not want to uproot my entire life and then get down there and end up not getting hired because I am a brand new nurse, without experience, from a different state.

A couple of people in my class are happy with just staying here and working at the hospital we do clinicals at and some of them have already had interviews! That would definitely be the EASIEST thing for me to do... I just really don't want to stay here, and I don't think that I would be very happy at this hospital. I am under the impression that my Nursing career is supposed to be able to take me anywhere, and I would really like to go before I have children and a house to worry about!

I had my heart set on this move but it seems to keep getting more and more stressful.

I really need help right now. I would like to know what some of you think. I am asking experienced nurses, nurse recruiters, nurse managers, or anyone who has experienced something similar...

Am I setting myself up for failure by moving before getting easy experience?

What do you suggest?

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Specializes in NICU.

Now is the time to move before life gets in your way. It is far more difficult to make a major move once you have spouse, house and kids to figure into a move.

Look into new grad programs. They will your best chance of getting a job from out of state. If you are set on Georgia, then get your license by endorsement as soon as possible after your Michigan or directly apply for a license by exam in Georgia and bypass your Michigan license (You can take NCLEX in Michigan and get GA license).

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

Apply for a job in your own state just in case. I left my state because of personal reasons full of heartache.

Apply for Georgia too. However whatever your initial state of licenseure. MAKE SURE ITS A NURSESYS STATE.

That is my biggest regret of being licensed in hawaii first...

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Your nursing career CAN take you anywhere...but your impression is mistaken if you think it guarantees you a job everywhere. I have no idea what the job market is for new grad ADN where you want to go, so that's a consideration right there.

Happiness is relative. Would you be happier being unemployed in a strange place away from family & friends, or staying in a familiar place for 6-12 months while learning, gaining experience, and becoming a more desirable candidate? Georgia won't be closing its borders in the next year or two.

last time I looked, MI had more than 1 hospital. I'd suggest getting your license & endorsement & initiating a 2 pronged search: a search in Michigan, and a search in Georgia. See what pops first.

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Apply!!!! I'm not sure how much pay is in Atlanta and what the ratios are... Most of Atlanta starts new grads in the low to mid 20's, ratios are 10:1 sometimes less but no less than 7:1 in a med surg.

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If for sure you are moving, don't take the N-CLEX in Michigan. Take it in Georgia.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
If for sure you are moving, don't take the N-CLEX in Michigan. Take it in Georgia.

no.

Georgia is not a NurseSYS state. do not take it for there.

You do not have to be in the state to take it for there.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

NurSys is an online database to track licenses.... it is not the nursing compact, which supports state-to-state reciprocity. There are many non-compact states that participate in NurSys. Am I missing something here? How would it help if you want to obtain a license in another state?

I want to 'second' the PPs who pointed out the importance of having a support system. This is a pretty important factor when you're trying to get started in your career. Moving to a strange place, trying to find a job, & making the transition from student to nursing practice .... all are major stressors. Without a personal support system, the stress will be magnified.

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Specializes in ICU.

I got my first job right out of school in Georgia as a new grad, and the job was in my preferred specialty, and I didn't know a soul who lived in Georgia when I applied. it can be done! :)

Start applying early. I applied for the job I got in March, they interviewed me in April, and I had a hiring decision by the end of April, a good two weeks before I graduated nursing school.

The lack of a support system is why I ultimately moved back. Going to an area where you know no one is tough as an adult. It isn't as easy to meet people and make friends.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
NurSys is an online database to track licenses.... it is not the nursing compact, which supports state-to-state reciprocity. There are many non-compact states that participate in NurSys. Am I missing something here? How would it help if you want to obtain a license in another state?

Many states require license of verification from your original state of licensure by examination. Which is quite a pain if you have to send them form to send to another BON. It is much easier for electronic verification which non-nursys states do not have.

I sent paperwork to Washington BON a month ago and they still havent received my verification of licensure from Hawaii. It would have been eliminated if Hawaii had nursys. Now anytime I move I have to go to Hawaii if they require licensure verification from my original state

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Thank you all for your thoughts!! I have been applying to Georgia and have already been turned down a couple of times. I do not know if it is because of inexperience, having an ADN instead of a BSN, or the fact that I am still living in MI. I really don't know, but I am starting to think I am too afraid to relocate without a job set in stone first. I am almost certain that I can get a job here where I live now, and I may have to do that for now. Maybe after a year of experience I might be able to relocate and get a job much faster? I am pretty lost right now. I just really want to move to Georgia and start my life with my new fiance!! I did not think it was going to be this stressful!! :(

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Calivianya,

Did you already have your BSN at that time? I am wondering if my ADN is hurting my chances, even though I am going for my BSN immediately and then for my Masters!!! :S

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