Leave NYC or even NY if you can!!!

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Former NYC nurse here,

Years ago someone gave me the advice of leaving NYC to get into nursing school and I listened. After being but on the waiting list of many schools in NYC I started to apply upstate. I sent a general application to many SUNY's and was accepted into Plattsburgh. When I arrived to the meet and greet for new students I walked to the nursing table and told them I wanted to be a nursing major. There was no fuss and that very next minute I was one. I made the mistake of coming back to NYC after graduation and didn't get my dream job. I wanted to be in the ICU but instead got a nursing home & med-surg job.

After trying to get into the ICU for 7 years I decided to leave NYC. I started to apply to all ICU jobs in every state and was called the same day I applied to hospitals in ND. I was hired in the ICU from a telephone interview and given a chance to follow my dreams. Fellow NYC nurses leave NYC if you want to really be a nurse. I live in ND now and the entrance to the Nursing programs are not biased. Students are given a chance to prove themselves. I see so many nursing students getting practicums in the departments they want without any fuss. In NYC you have to have a 4.0 or have great contacts.

I was a BSN with a 3.3GPA and couldn't get an interview in NYC. I love NY & NYC but I love myself more. If being a nurse is your dream and you are having a hard time getting into a program, look at out-of-state schools. If you can't get the position of your dreams in NYC look at out-of-state hospitals.

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Good advice! Im a new ADN RN and i am considering moving away for an opportunity to work in a hospital.

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I just graduated with a BSN and just got my NYS license . Where do you suggest I apply for jobs at that isn't that far from NYC ?

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Specializes in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine.

Depends on how far you want to go. If you don't mind Central or Upstate New York for a few years, lots of places hiring. Binghamton, Syracuse, Elmira, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo. Not sure about mid-state like Westchester, Poughkeepsie, etc. It could be a "I go for a year or two, get the experience I need and go back." I know a fair number of nurses did it that way.

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Depends on how far you want to go. If you don't mind Central or Upstate New York for a few years, lots of places hiring. Binghamton, Syracuse, Elmira, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo. Not sure about mid-state like Westchester, Poughkeepsie, etc. It could be a "I go for a year or two, get the experience I need and go back." I know a fair number of nurses did it that way.

Thank you . I'll look into it :)

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Specializes in Crit Care, Vent, Step-Down, Tele, Float.

NYC is a tough, tough, market. Keep applying and don't get your hopes down. Going out of state can be fulfilling, especially if you have your mind set on a specialty. If you're looking for areas close to NYC, Jersey has some fantastic hospitals (Hackensack, etc.), but those can also be quite competitive. As a travel nurse, I went through Connecticut and it was great. Having your license endorsed in CT is a relatively painless and quick process and many of the cities are on the Metro North line which means you can get back to NYC if you want.

Best of luck in everyone's endeavors!

-Andrew

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