Moving to Philadelphia Area...tips and advice!

[deflowerkidRN]

Hello all! I am strongly considering moving to the Philadelphia area from the Phoenix area soon. I have been working on a busy CV-tele floor with 2 years of experience. I have my ADN but I am currently working on my BSN. My questions, of which I have many, are these:

1) How is the job market looking?

2) Will it be enough to employers that I am currently getting my BSN or should I wait until it is done?

3) I am looking to get into an ICU position, any recommendations for that/hospitals that are fantastic?

Thank you all so much for your responses! I will appreciate anything!

[Eric Cartman]

University of Pennsylvania, Presbyterian Medical Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Temple Hospital, all require BSN, or a few years of experience. These are the best hospitals to work at in the city. 2 years might not be enough experience to secure a job, but I guess it depends on who catches your resume. If I had to take a wild guess, I would assume that you might have a tough time finding a position, because you do not currently have your BSN. But I could be wrong. It won't hurt to apply, but do so prior to moving.

[deflowerkidRN]

Thanks for your responses. I have been looking at those hospitals. I don't think I will be ready to move until I either have my BSN completed or within a couple weeks of completion. Do you think that will be taken into consideration or is it "straight up" BSN or nothing? thanks again!

[Eric Cartman]

Thanks for your responses. I have been looking at those hospitals. I don't think I will be ready to move until I either have my BSN completed or within a couple weeks of completion. Do you think that will be taken into consideration or is it "straight up" BSN or nothing? thanks again!

Supposedly University of Penn, Health system, is BSN, or nothing. The other hospitals that I listed are supposed to be the same, but I could be wrong. I am only going off of the accounts of people that I know who work for those hospitals. Now what I don't know is how many years of nursing experience they are willing to take into consideration before waving the BSN rules. The BSN requirement, to my knowledge, is for new graduates and nurses with minimal experience. I do not know what defines "minimal experience" by these hospitals standards. I do know a few nurses who have been hired by the hospitals that I listed in the first post, who were only ADN nurses, but have over 5 years of experience. All I can say is apply and see what happens.

[citygirl2]

LOVE Philly! I just left in March and loved living/working in the city. Are you planning on living 'in the city' or suburbs/mainline area? PM or email me for details!

[minniemickey23]

The hospitals in the Einstein network also require new hires to have a BSN. They might consider you if you are currently enrolled in a BSN program but it would be hard to say since there's so much competition in the area.

[deflowerkidRN]

Thank you everyone. This is still on my radar but I actually just got my dream job in the area, and with it I can go back East and hopefully do alright as far as job searches. I thank everyone for the time in my responses!