Moving to Oahu

[Kunjia27, ADN, RN]

Hi Fellow Nurses!

I recently found out that my husband has been offered a position in Honolulu and we may be moving there in 2020. I am a new med/surg nurse with an ADN, working to complete my BSN, and will have 1 year experience by the time we move. I'm wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what it's like to be a nurse in Hawaii. Is it difficult for ADN nurses to find jobs in hospitals in Honolulu? What are the staffing ratios usually like? What hospitals have the best opportunities for growth? (I'm hoping with more experience to branch into ED and/or pediatrics) Thanks so much!

[guest769224]

I think some hospitals on Oahu are unionized. Try to move quickly with your BSN, it is preferred in Hawaii. Queens Medical Center is the largest hospital and level 1 Trauma Center. You could try applying at some of the smaller community hospitals, such as Kaiser.

[meggiepie24, BSN]

I hate to continue being the barer of bad news on this thread, but I would really encourage you not to move here with your current situation. I know multiple BSN new grads who have had a very difficult time finding work. It is very common to have new BSN grads work as a tech or secretary for a year+ before working as an RN ... even if they have worked within a hospital system during school. I had about 8 years of experience when we moved here and I had a very hard time finding a job, which had never happened to me before. It's just a different world out here. As already mentioned, there are very strong unions in the hospital so there's not as much turnover.

Queen's has the only trauma level one in the pacific rim (which is mentioned on every TV commercial ...) but they don't really do pediatrics. Be prepared to take care of a ton of homeless people. If you want peds you need to look into Kapiolani Women & Children's.

If you husband is military definitely apply to Tripler, you will have an extra point or two on your application. Other than that, you would probably have the best luck at nursing homes. It's probably not what you want to hear, but I definitely wish someone had told me before moving out here! If you do move out here I would work on getting your HI license right away. It took me several months to get mine. I would also get a post office box or an address as soon as possible-employers want to see that you are already on the island.

If I were you, I would stay on the mainland until you have at least a few more years of experience and your BSN before moving out here.