New FL RN grad - moving to OR soon after graduation!

Published

Specializes in Mental Health.

Hello all!

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light for a brand-new baby RN graduate moving from FL to OR.

I'll be graduating this May 2017 from a Florida ADN nursing program. My family and I will be moving to OR soon after I'm finished... would it be advisable to take the NCLEX in FL and register here first? And then register in OR? Or can it be done simultaneously? I've heard from numerous people that FL's RN is easily transferrable to any other state... not sure why.

Any advice or experience moving to OR as a relatively new RN is appreciated! I'm an experienced behavioral health technician (4 years) and I am VERY flexible with whatever nursing jobs are available.

Much love, RMM86 :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

You can take the NCLEX in any state you want. When you register to take it, you have to state which state you want to be licensed in. If you know for certain that you will not be working in Florida, it doesn't make sense to get a license there, which you will then just have to transfer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like stated above you can take Oregon's test in FL. But do take it in FL cuz that's where you are comfortable and studied-and you'll have less anxiety. Jobs for new grads are a little tough here if you are not doing Clinicals here and coming without experience. Most hospitals are now doing new grad residency programs offered only twice a year for enrollment...so watch for those. This includes Providence, Legacy, Kaiser, and OHSU. Of course it depends on where in Oregon you plan to live...I'm referring to the entire Portland metro area. Openings are more frequent in Silverton, Tillamook, Salem, Vancouver , WA (the drive over the bridge sucks though), and other smaller cities like Newberg etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I would encourage you to look at RN-BSN programs as most of the bigger hospital systems Providence, Legacy and OHSU and I think Salem are moving to BSN required. With your behavioral health background there is the new Unity Hospital that is opening in a few weeks and then the State Hospital in Salem

At my last staff meeting we were told BSN required for all new hires, they will let the nurses stay who don't have a BSN

That saying outside of the metro area, there is Adventist, Tuality, St Johns and PreaceHealth. Plus all the SNF and LTC facilities in the area. I started SNF and made my way to critical care, so it can be done

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Agree!!! BSN as of 2018 in all area hospitals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental Health.

Yes, definitely planning on starting that! Do you know if they look favorably on you if you're currently in a program? Thanks for all the great advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Because of the amount of people applying they have a lot of applicants to choose from. The biggest thing is to have your license by the required time to start. For example Legacy starts in July and February. Second interviews are about a month before that, so you'll need to have your license by beginning of July and February (depending what you apply for). Otherwise, it's more about how you present and sell yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

My experience with one of the systems was my application was auto rejected unless I checked the box that I was in a program.

they can be very picky with 10 programs in the area. When I applied to a residency program 7 years ago it was approx 500 applicants for 40 spots with 7 programs in the area. Now there is at least 10 programs not sure if it has gotten better or worse for new grads now. The market is better for expirenced nurses. So even if you go the SNF/LTC route while getting your BSN that will get you some experience

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When applying though...you will be in the program ready to graduate so you can have your lisence in time or already graduated getting your lisence...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment