Moving for a job

[Platypus]

Hello -

I just graduated in 12/2008 from a nursing school in PA. I am going to take my NCLEX exam late February, but few hospitals in this region (philadelphia) seem to be hiring. It may be that the economy has many "retired" nurses returning to work or it may be due to the number of nursing schools in this area, either way it seems the market is flooded. I am originally from TN and am considering the possibility of looking outside Pennsylvania and wondering what the job market is like in North Carolina. Are new grads having issues locating employment there as well?

Lisa

[ange26s]

I will be graduating in May and Im starting to wonder about this nursing shortage everyone is talking about! I haven't applied for any positions yet, but I have some friends that have.They have been getting interviews,but the hospitals seem kinda competetive to get the position you want.The starting pay in this area (cumberland,moore,harnett Co.) is 19.75-20 an hr. As far as I know the pay is about the same in the Raleigh-Durham area as well. The cost of living is rising here also.To get a nice home in a nice area it runs around the 200,000 on up range(definitly need a dual income for that range.)Sometimes I feel like moving from NC because its hard to find a good school system for the kids. I grew up here so I know the area pretty well. My friend works in Asheville nc and she says the hospital she works for is on a hiring freeze,but she dosen't know for how long or anything.But, as far as I know there is work here, it just may not be what you want.(or you may find your dream job:)) Im just happy to be finishing up, I'll take what I can get. I plan on applying to some med-surg/telemetry floors.Good Luck with everything!