May 09 Grad Moving to Houston

Published

Hi Y'all!

I'm currently in a career alternative accelerated program at LSU's Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and will graduate next May. My fiance and I (we'll be newlyweds by then) are being transferred to Houston in July.

I've noticed that several hospitals I've heard of as "good" and inside the city limits (we probably won't live in the 'burbs but I'll take what I can get) have internships or residencies starting in June. Am I just out of luck for those because I'm a month late, or is there some flexibility in the start dates? I know one had a program starting in September, but then what would I do with myself for two months?

I'm totally clueless about my first RN job opportunities, so I'd appreciate some allnurses wisdom!!

Thanks :bow:

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Telemetry.

I moved to Houston as a new graduate in July 2007. The hospital I work for was very flexible on start dates. They gave me several different start date options based on the new employee orientations that were scheduled and I was allowed to choose what date worked the best for me.

I know lots of the hospitals also hire August new graduates, which would give you time to move, get settled in your new home, learn your way around the city...but then again no paycheck until you start work!

Talk with HR when you interview about your availability date. And a word of advice, apply for jobs early (like Jan/Feb...some hospitals have deadlines for new grads) or you may miss out on opportunities. I applied starting middle of March and many new grad positions were already filled! This is especially true if you want a specialty. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

SCgirl is right. You need to start EARLY (January/February) and talk to the nursing recruiter- especially if you have a particular hospital you want to work at. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Habersham,

Can I be the first to welcome you to Houston? WELCOME!!!

As a Houston native, I would recommend that you first determine where you are going to be living -- THEN decide where you want to work. The wrong decision could land you in a soul-crushing commute. .. in case you haven't heard, our traffic is legendary.

Houston "city limits" cover a huge expanse. So just because a hospital has a Houston address does not mean that they are anywhere near the center of the city. Basically, healthcare is divided into 'Medical Center' and community (non Medical Center). Med Center hospitals are non-profit (by law) teaching facilities. Nearly all of the med center hospitals have satellite facilities in the community. There are several new ones opening in the next 12-18 months.

You won't have any problems finding a job as a new grad. However, getting a spot in one of the formal new-grad programs (internships, residencies, etc) in a med center facility will require advance planning on your part. Most of them fill these programs with students that have had clinical rotations in the facility. If this is what you want, I would recommend contacting the appropriate nurse recruiter ASAP to get the process moving.

Feel free to PM me if I can provide you with any additional information.

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thank you all so much!!! I'm going to get moving on this already I guess...I thought I had til at least January, but better the early worm :)

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