Networking within Nursing: Moving to a new city

flyersfan88 · Jan 22, 2015

The areas you're looking at are incredibly saturated. I would suggest getting more than the 6 months experience you have as a start to be taken remotely seriously when moving across the country.

This isn't to sound mean or anything. But I work in Philadelphia and it's brutal here and South Jersey. If an employer sees you moving from Oregon.... they're going to want you to be experienced and to have a reason to stay here.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2015

Meetup.com. :)

I feel like I spam all the threads about people moving to tell them to look at meetup, but it's just so danged difficult to get to know people when you're not from the area that you're working in.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 23, 2015

I agree with the first poster, I can tell you from experience that the job market in Boston and that area is absolutely saturated, and with only 6 months you would be considered a new grad! I would give yourself at least another year to get experience before trying to move!

HPRN

RunBabyRN · Jan 23, 2015

Even knowing someone isn't a guarantee. I have been applying like crazy (I also graduated 6 months ago), and I have connections all over the place, with 15 years of other healthcare experience, and not a single contact was ever able to help me get a job.

If you know where you're going, look into local chapters of nursing associations. Join ones that appeal to you (it can get expensive, so choose wisely), and work the contacts through there.

I would strongly urge you to consider getting at least 1-2 years of that med/surg experience you've already started before you make a move. Those cities are all saturated with new grads, and having that experience will help you immensely. Also, as stated above, you'll want to show them you have roots in the area, and aren't going to be there for a couple of years, get bored, and move.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2015

The Northeast Megalopolis region (D.C. to Boston and every major city in between) has been glutted with too many new nurses for the past five to six years. I would stay in Portland if I were you, accrue two solid years of experience, and obtain a specialty certification before attempting to make the move. Good luck to you.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Agree with other posters who recommend gaining two years experience and obtaining specialty certification, also join specialty organiztion(s), attend national nursing conferences and network with nurses from across the country.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Meetup.com. :)
I feel like I spam all the threads about people moving to tell them to look at meetup, but it's just so danged difficult to get to know people when you're not from the area that you're working in.

This. You could also try networking via LinkedIn.

And I agree with everyone else: wait until you have at least a year, preferably two, before you even consider moving. At 6 months of experience, you're in the new grad black hole: not enough experience for staff nurse positions, but now ineligible for most new graduate programs. You'll be in a far stronger position to find a job in a saturated area if you have solid experience under your belt.

Proof it can be done without connections: I moved from the Southern US to Southern California. I had no connections whatsoever. I came armed with an ADN, 2 years experience, specialty certification, and letters of recommendation that I had the foresight to get from doctors and nursing staff at the hospital I just left. I had a job within 2 months. If I had only 6 months of experience and tried to get a job, I'd still be looking.

Best of luck whatever you decide.