Moving to Colorado RN

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Hi everyone!

So I take my NCLEX (Florida) this Monday (6/9/14) and my husband and I are planning to move to Colorado quite soon (he was offered a job in Denver). My question to you is what are nursing opportunities like out there for new nurses? I have looked into housing and it seems to be just as expen$ive as down here in FL. :***:. Any recommendations about good areas to live? We are outdoorsey people, and the idea of living in a major city is not very appealing. Anyway I just figured I would ask and see if anyone living in Colorado would be so kind to help steer us in the right direction.

Thanks to everyone!

~Namaste~

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Specializes in Trauma- Med/Surg.

I am a Colorado native. There are plenty of areas in the Denver area that are outside of the city that are more affordable and close to downtown. Depending where in the Denver are you or your husband works the surrounding areas like Thornton, Westminster, Aurora (certain parts can be dicey so be careful) and Lakewood are a little bit more affordable. Depending how far you want to commute there are many opportunities. As for the job market as a nurse I am in the same boat. I will be graduating in August, went to school out of state, and I am looking to return back to good old Colorado. The University of Colorado has their main medical campus in Aurora as well as surrounding hospitals they have bought out. It is competitive to get into as a new grad but they do have a New Grad Residency Program that starts a couple of times a year. Good luck!

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Specializes in public health.

It kinda varies. My cohort graduated in May 2013. Some of my classmates got jobs right away after graduation. Most of us got jobs within 6 months. There are still people who didn't get a job after a year.

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Is it that hospitals are only hiring BSN's? That's how florida is.....

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, LDRP.

Colorado native here... University of Colorado and Denver Health, which is downtown, hire BSN only. As a new grad looking for a job here as well, I can tell you that most of the hospitals will want to see that you are actively, or at least planning on, getting your BSN.

The metro area is fairly large here, and there are great networks of trails and outdoor activities wherever you go. Like Kmiller255 said, the surrounding areas vary in housing prices. But, within each of those communities, there is generally a hospital. Check out Parker, Golden, Littleton, and the Boulder area if you are brave enough ;) Westminster, Thornton, Brighton, Aurora, and Castle Rock are good options as well.

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I plan on moving there next Summer, but do not have a BSN. Do they consider you if you have experience? 5 years PCU..

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LittleYoga--how did it turn out? I am a new grad in the Denver area, and the job market is tight for new grads. I got lucky as did about 1/3 of my classmates, but most of us had some sort of connection at a hospital and that is how we got hired. BSN required at most hospitals, those who will hire ADNs want you to have your BSN within xx amount of time. I hear that Swedish is pretty good about hiring new grads, but you don't get much reply from the online apps, you have to walk in with resume in hand to get considered.

Christelina, you may have better luck being considered with experience, but again most places will ask you to get your bsn after xx amount of time. I think Denver Health and St Anthonys are two that hire ADNs and give you a few years to get your BSN.

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