Moving to the DC metro area as a new grad and need pointers :)

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I am finishing up my nursing program here soon and will be taking my NCLEX in August. I started nursing school and then my husband got reassigned to Andrews AFB In MD. As soon as I finish I will be moving up there and will be living in National Harbor.

I am a flight medic in the Air National Guard (4 years) and have my ADN (not BSN), EMT, ACLS, PHTLS, my bachelors in Health Care Administration...but I still will be a new grad RN so of course I'm a little nervous about finding where I fit in up there :)

So the big question is? WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR ME TO START AT? What hospital? Is it better to work in DC, VA, or MD? Should I take my NCLEX up there or does it matter since SC is in the compact states? Any help would be wonderful :)

Thank you in advance.... Lindsey

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Specializes in SICU.

I don't know if having a husband in the military affects having to change your license if you move states? However, if you do need to get a new license then Maryland and Virginia are compact States, Washington D.C. is not. Nursing jobs are tight here, not as bad as two years ago, but it is still difficult to find jobs for new grads, especially ADN's.

Washington Hospital Center in DC will still hire ADN's and new grads can get positions in the ER.

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I don't think I should have a problem working in MD/VA but I will have to apply for a license in DC, which from all the posts I've read, might be a nightmare.

Thank you for the info about Washington Hospital Center, I will def look into that.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I didn't have a problem getting my DC license. I just went in person, had already requested my other states information to be sent, and was fingerprinted right there. It was about a month, I called them and my license was up the next day. For the application fee, money order or a check (with your address pre-printed on it!).

(I did have to go to a 'Convenient Store' to withdraw money (with a fee) twice (since the machine only allowed $100 to be withdrawn each time), and then pay for a money order since I don't pre-print my address on the checks.) Annoying, but most definitely not a nightmare.

I believe getting the license from Virginia was harder, when speaking to someone. For Maryland, I just did the nursys website. But, I got my license originally in a non-compact state.

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Wow, I'm impressed with your credentials. I believe you may be lucky to find a job after graduating. Try INova Fairfax, Washington Hospital Ctr (July residency). Getting a license in DC is easy as long you go in PERSON. Maryland license is the devil!

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Specializes in peds palliative care and hospice.

I found the same as most posters, a DC license isnt that hard if you go in person. The Traffic people are super stingy tho, and will wait around waiting for it to expire and slap a ticket on your car.

FashionistaRN, I didnt have any trouble getting my MD lic, but again, I went in person. The office is kinda hard to find, tho.

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Just wanted to give an update :) I passed my NCLEX with 75 questions on September 8th and then commissioned as a flight nurse in the Air National Guard Sep 28th :) I will finally be going on my honeymoon in three days (which was put on hold do to nursing school) and then I will be hitting the job hunt hard when I get back from Europe. I have already applied to a few residency programs and jobs but I haven't heard anything yet. It's crazy, but it seems as people really don't want to hire new grads. Well hopefully I won't have a problem when I get back. Thank you for all the recommendations and advise!

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