Moving to Detroit, need help.

jabraham99 · Apr 26, 2009

Hi everyone!
I've been going to school in Oklahoma for the past couple of years....soon to graduate with my BSN. My fiance and her entire family live in Michigan(Detroit), and she wants to return there for school. I've only been to Detroit to visit her folks, so the move is quite scary for me. I have a couple questions:
1) I've tried looking online, but do any hospitals offer scholarships for a work commitment?(I'm going to a very expensive private school)
2) Where are some good work environments?
3) How is the nursing job environment in the Detroit area? I've only seen the things on TV about how bad the economy is, in Detroit?
Basically, I'm scared out of my mind to move half way across the country. Are there jobs, are there hospitals willing to help out with school.
Thanks in advance.

I am just a student, not working in the hospitals yet, but I can tell you what I have heard. Many nurses that would usually be retiring are staying put because their spouses have auto related jobs. The uncertainty in the automotive industry is forcing people (healthcare workers) to stay put. Therefore, there are not a lot of new jobs available. As far as scholarships go, you may find a hospital that will give you tuition reimbursement. It is usually 3,000 for fulltime employees. Do a lot of research on the job market here. The economy is horrific here and there doesn't seem to be any end in site. Everyone I speak with wants out of here.

rn2b2011 · Apr 26, 2009

On a much lighter note, while moving across the county maybe scary, I would have to say the economy is "horrific" anywhere you go. Some areas are worse than others, so you definately need to do your homework. We are in a recession, I say depression, so yeah you definately need to make wise decisions. As far as living in Detroit, I have been here all my life, and yeah the economy sucks right now because of the automotive industry but other than that, we are managing alright. Well my heart goes out to the people that work in the automotive industry, there are other things/places to work outside of that. My husband and I both have jobs and are very cautious on how we spend our money, we're definately not splurging. Both our jobs pay for tuition reimbursement, so it works out as I am in nursing school myself. I'm a little nervous about finding a job once I'm done, but that is to be expected anywhere you live. There are a lot of great hospitals in the "Detroit" area. Henry Ford, Beaumont, Providence, U of M, Harper/DMC just to name a few.

I also know a lot of nurses, and yeah, I would agree that people are holding onto their jobs, but don't let that stop or hender your decission in anyway. I can't really say that they are trying to get out of here. I think the only way to avoid whats happening, is to what, leave the country. Good luck in your endeavors! I'm sure once you do your homework, it won't look as diar as you think.

vivicaq · Apr 27, 2009

I am an RN and was in Detroit over the weekend visiting family. I want to reassure you that there are lots of open positions in the healthcare sector in Detroit. Okay the crime rate is high in some area but don't be discouraged I have heard that Huron Valley an affliate of DMC is not a bad hospital to work for. Most hospitals will pay for you to further your education just check out their websites. The cost of living is not bad at all

mariasmomma · Apr 28, 2009

I'm not a nurse yet either, but I have looked into the work commitment/pay off loans deal. I know DMC participates in it, also a smaller hospital St. Mary's in Livonia does it too. I think the majority of the hospitals do some kind of student loan program. As far as job openings go, I check the dmc.org site often and there are over 200 RN posted job openings right now. What I've been told about good work environments is that it varies from unit to unit. I work for WSU now at Detroit Receiving (not as a nurse) and I like the environment here. My heart is in Detroit, and even though we are going through tough times now, I won't be leaving.

J9G2008 · Apr 30, 2009

I don't know that I would move to Detroit right now. Every day we keep hearing about how one or two of the Big Three are going down, or close to it. Bear in mind that everything in Detroit revolves around them (pretty much). If all the auto workers lose their health care, or have to pay a lot more for it, healthcare jobs in this state will be hard to come by. I love Detroit, I've lived here my whole life, but I just don't know if I would come here right at the moment.

jabraham99 · Apr 30, 2009

I don't know that I would move to Detroit right now. Every day we keep hearing about how one or two of the Big Three are going down, or close to it. Bear in mind that everything in Detroit revolves around them (pretty much). If all the auto workers lose their health care, or have to pay a lot more for it, healthcare jobs in this state will be hard to come by. I love Detroit, I've lived here my whole life, but I just don't know if I would come here right at the moment.

I certainly wouldn't move here right now!

Happynursing · Jul 3, 2009

Hi,

Right now Michigan economic is bad. Many hospitals do have job posted, but they are not hiring. They just posting those job. If you have hospital experience more than 1 year. You might able to find a job in midnight or not so good location. I just got a job interview two days ago and the manager told me that right now it is the best time for manager because he can do whatever he wants to the nurses out there. Nurses don't have support anymore. I was scared by his words.

I hope you think and talk with your family about you move to Michigan because it is not so nice out there. May God be with you.

casonpa · Jul 3, 2009

Hello,

I am a potential student but I LOVE this area. We are a military family living in Troy which is just outside of Detroit and from what I see, looks like people are surviving just fine here. There is alot of people working for TACOM and also lots of others here as well. Yes the auto industry is in shambles right now, but you are in the Health industry. i am sure you will have no problem finding a job here. Do what feels right for you and your family. Good Luck, from a Texas girl living in Michigan and LOVING IT!!!!

April

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

I see the opposite of jabraham's observation- the unemployed autoworkers can't find work here so they are taking their healthcare spouse out of the area with them. The one's that don't leave are the one's that are clogging up the nursing school wait list's for the the next 2-4 years if there is a list or causing 1000 applications for 100 slots at the others.

We just returned here from FL in Feb and had a little harder time finding a job that I thought it was going to be. It's going to be easier for an experienced nurse vs a new grad as one can jump in and help readily.