Job opportunities, thinking of relocating.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Hi all,

I'm a RN with BSN degree and have 5 years of Medical Surgical floor experience. I'm currently working on my Med-Surg certification. My GF is a RN/BSN as well with 6 years of Telemetry/PCU floor experience. She went to nursing school in Virginia and got her BSN at George Mason Univ. Worked her 1st 4 years in VA until she moved back here to Guam in 2009.

We currently live and work in Guam, a tiny island with about 170,000 people. We work at the only civilian and government run hospital here. (The other hospital is a US Navy Hospital). In about 3 years, there will be a brand new private run hospital opening up here.

I thought of living and working here for the rest of my life but lately, we've been thinking about relocating stateside due to many reasons. I need some info on how the job market is for RN's with our experience level in the states. We're looking at possibly Hawaii, California (southern), Las Vegas, Virginia, Maryland.

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Jobs are tough for new grads I hear. But if you have your amount of experience PLUS a BSN you should be good to go. A lot of hospitals are only hiring BSNs now and only experienced nurses. I can't say for those specific states but you should be OK. Especially if you are staying in your specialty. Looking to switch specialties.... ehh can be trickier from my experiences. Good luck!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I don't think I'm considered a "new grad" or am I? What's 5 years of floor experience?

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What's it like in Guam?

Pay? Weather?

Sounds like you are in the perfect place with your experience to find a job pretty much anywhere you want, as well as your wife.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Experienced + BSN = some job opportunities.

The market is REALLY tough in Southern California, but you should be able to find something I think? Vegas should be a breeze. I can't speak to the other locations. If I were in your shoes maybe you could both sign up for a travel company and possibly get some of the specific locations you are interested in, and as well see how the hospitals are?

Good luck!

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Specializes in EDUCATION;HOMECARE;MATERNAL-CHILD; PSYCH.

with your experience and background, you will not have problems finding a job. hospitals are looking for nurses with diverse experiences and advanced degree. you can just post your resume/cv online, and you will get numerous calls from recruits. good luck!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Thanks for the replies. We will be taking a vacation in September...to visit friends in Hawaii, Cali, Virginia, Maryland and NY. We'll see how that goes.

What's it like in Guam?

Pay? Weather?

Sounds like you are in the perfect place with your experience to find a job pretty much anywhere you want, as well as your wife.

I would say that Guam is a smaller version of Hawaii.

Pay is not so good here but RN jobs are easy to find here. About $40K for starting RN. Our hospitals do get some travelling nurses in the ICU and ER departments. They do get pretty good pay though.

As for weather....hot and humid (much warmer than Hawaii). Mid 80's at night... mid to high 90's in the day time. We only have 2 seasons... rainy season and summer. :cool:

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.
with your experience and background, you will not have problems finding a job. hospitals are looking for nurses with diverse experiences and advanced degree. you can just post your resume/cv online, and you will get numerous calls from recruits. good luck!

could you give me links/websites to where i can do that?

thanks.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

When I was looking a few years ago I got my current job from Monster.com but I dont know what other members think about posting your resume on line.

There will be good and bad experiences I am sure.

When you find a job or a recruiter contacts you if you want any help or advice pm me because you need to ask for certain things and post your salary requirements higher than you think you should have as they will negoaciate

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

VA and MD, especially around the DC metro area has good job opportunities for experienced nurses. I moved down to this area a year ago, with experience, and have had no trouble finding work. While rent and living expenses is more in this area than what you are probably paying, you would have a significant pay increase as well. Some of the hospitals in the area are unionized, especially in the District.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

Hawaii would be the hardest to get a job. I've been looking there for quite some time, and it seems most of their need is in critical care.

California is also very competative, but if you want med-surg and pcu/tele positions I'm sure that you would have a good chance.

Keep in mind that while Hawaii and California are expensive to live in, they also pay very well.

I had a friend who recently moved to Las Vegas and she said there are plenty of jobs in Navada.

Not sure about East coast.

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Hi Myk...I am a CCU RN in Alaska & wanting to relocate to Guam in October 2012. I've been looking at GMH...can you give me any information/contacts to help get this rolling? any suggestions...PEARLS...etc? Thanks in advance!!! cheers & I hope your vacation was fabulous!!!

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