Jobs in Virginia Beach area?

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 20, 2013

Before I can even consider making this big move, I would like to know how the job market is for new grads over in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. Is it incredibly competitive? Is it worth the move?

If you graduated two years ago, you really aren't considered a new grad. This could be a good thing, because some job postings still specify that they aren't taking new grads! Have you done a job search to see what's available, or if jobs tend to require a year of acute care experience? Might be worth it to submit a few applications and see what happens.

tashacorinne · May 20, 2013

Thanks for the response!

Ugh, here in CA I am still a new grad for acute care positions. I do understand that I am a little bit in a gray area... Anyways, some of the job postings say "1 year preferred", which I see that a lot in CA and here they really mean that they want 1 year. I just want to know if the Virginia Beach area is saturated with new nurses and a lot of competition. I guess throwing out a couple applications won't hurt... though I feel that my applications may be ignored because of my CA address.

HeatherMax · May 21, 2013

There are around 10 nursing schools in the area, if not more. Can't hurt to apply though.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 22, 2013

There are around 10 nursing schools in the area, if not more. Can't hurt to apply though.

In addition, some of the major hospital organizations (Sentara, Riverside, Bon Secours) have their own nursing programs...and guess whose graduates get priority when it comes to applying for positions at these hospitals?

That being said, it's probably a more forgiving job market than CA is. I'd apply to everything that you may be eligible for and see what happens.

Also, be prepared for some sticker shock, because the hourly rates in SE VA are nowhere near what you'd get in CA.

ContikiRn · Aug 7, 2013

One good thing is you have your BSN. Most hospitals are looking for the BSNs because they want to go magnet status. You have 2 years experience so that is good but Sentara, Riverside have their own school so they prefer own grads but you can still get hired. Our peds hospital is hiring and it's called CHKD.

DesertRN2009 · Aug 8, 2013

Thanks for the response!
Ugh, here in CA I am still a new grad for acute care positions. I do understand that I am a little bit in a gray area... Anyways, some of the job postings say "1 year preferred", which I see that a lot in CA and here they really mean that they want 1 year. I just want to know if the Virginia Beach area is saturated with new nurses and a lot of competition. I guess throwing out a couple applications won't hurt... though I feel that my applications may be ignored because of my CA address.

It took me 4 years to get into acute care. I came here from AZ and after 8 months got into acute care. I did mostly rehab and corrections. You are experienced but it will be hard for you

danarooo, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2013

The job market here is not great, but I came from Washington State and it was horrible. The other nurses aren't kidding about sticker shock, the wages for an RN in SE Virginia are downright insulting in many cases. I wanted to cry, as the pay rate in WA state is double that of what I get here. Yes the cost of living is higher, but not by that much so it's still a HUGE down grade in pay. After researching, I have come to find that VA is below the national average in nurse pay...or pay in general so I hear. BUT, that being said I found two jobs within 3 months of moving here and after graduating in WA state still hadn't found a decent job 9 months out of school.

You may have to take a job you don't really want, but sometimes taking a job in an area you thought you didn't like turns out to be what you are good at (that would be me!). Good luck! It's definitely do-able, hard but do-able. :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2013

The job market here is not great, but I came from Washington State and it was horrible. The other nurses aren't kidding about sticker shock, the wages for an RN in SE Virginia are downright insulting in many cases.

SE VA also has a lot of turnover thanks to the military: many families move in, stay a few years, and are then get stationed elsewhere. That contributes quite a bit to the lousy salaries.

DesertRN2009 · Sep 2, 2013

SE VA also has a lot of turnover thanks to the military: many families move in, stay a few years, and are then get stationed elsewhere. That contributes quite a bit to the lousy salaries.

Military has nothing to do with pay rates in the area. I came from a huge military area that also had nuclear weapons companies and space research. The pay was a lot higher than here and cost of living lower. Pay is because it is a tourist area. Same with cost of living

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 2, 2013

Military has nothing to do with pay rates in the area. I came from a huge military area that also had nuclear weapons companies and space research. The pay was a lot higher than here and cost of living lower. Pay is because it is a tourist area. Same with cost of living

After 13 years of living and working there, I have to disagree: a lot of the employers I've encountered did not like the frequent turnover d/t people constantly PCSing in and out of the area.

You're right about it being touristy, though.

DesertRN2009 · Sep 5, 2013

The area I came from had higher turnover but pay never suffered and cost of living was half to a third of what it is here. But it was a lower medicaid use area. Even fast food there paid on average 10/ hr with minimum wage being only 7.25/hr. The higher tourism and welfare abuse attributes to pay more than military.