Moving to Dallas

[nursingstudent2013]

Hi! I will be graduating with my ADN this May, I also have a previous BS in Biology. My fiance accepted a job in Dallas last June so I will be relocating to Dallas. I am going to school in the Chicagoland area and from what I've read on here and other places the job market for new grads is pretty much equivalent to Dallas which is why I decided to just move anyway. I know how competitive some of the new grad residency programs are and I am not opposed to working at a LTC facility if need be. I do have one connection at Children's Medical Center but I know they like to hire BSNs I know it will be tough because I'm from out of state and adn student. Just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on where to look and when to start applying. Pay is not my concern and I will work Full time or part time. Any help would be great!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

My advice? Focus on smaller facilities in your job hunt. All of the larger organizations are either Magnet or actively working toward the IOM recommendations... both require RN staff to be 80% BSN ... as a consequence, they only hire BSN new grads. If possible, try to lock down a job before you decide on a place to live. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a place that is halfway between your work sites so neither of you has a horrible commute.

Best of luck to you - on your job hunt and upcoming marriage.

[nursingstudent2013]

Thank you for replying! He works in Irving and lives in Grand Prairie but is just renting for the time being until I'm done there with a steady job. I have no problem with a longer commute for that first year or two to get my experience if it means a job!