New Grad Moving To Jacksonville Beach Area

[Nurse2B2009]

Hi

I'm currently living in southeast Michigan and will be graduating from my nursing program in late October. My family will be relocating to Jacksonville Beach, Florida right afterwards. This is something we have to do due to my mother's poor health. I am not sure how to go about this though. Should I stay in Michigan long enough to take the N-CLEX or should I plan to take it in Florida? I have thought of applying for a position as a Patient Care Tech or Nursing Assistant (whatever they are called there) just until I obtain my license but would a hospital hire me knowing I am a graduate of an RN program awaiting the N-CLEX? I am scared to death that I will get there and not be able to obtain employment. My mother needs me but my family needs me to work also. I have tried calling nurse recruiters for every hospital within a 60 minute drive from Jacksonville and have not gotten a single call back! It's not like I have no experience at all...I have 7 months experience in an adult PACU and going on 4 months experience in a pediatric hemo/oncology unit (will be 6 months by the time I graduate).

I need to have this figured out before we move. As I read these threads, I start thinking "I'm screwed!" if people who are already in Florida cannot get a job! If anyone can help me figure this out, I would truly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

Kristin

[misswhitney]

I don't know what the situation is going to be like in October because the nurse managers I talked to are all sure that with the flu season coming, jobs will open up. But I think it is going to be particularly hard for you, not going to lie. Most of the girls in my class have talked to nurse managers at some point and have been to almost every hospital here. And I know the only people who have jobs right now worked in the hospital they are going to work at while they were in nursing school.

I know they probably won't hire you as a tech, because they usually require a 6 month commitment. I know one of the girls in my class tried to get a job as a tech and, because she was in her last semester, they would not hire her. You can take your boards in any state, but you have to apply for your license in the state you are going to practice in.

You can probably get a job at a LTC facility if you are desperate for a job. I know they are always hiring. Start sending your resumes out regardless though. Good luck! =)

[gwyneffar]

I live out in Jacksonville Beach and, as Miss Whitney said, it's really hard to find anything out here. I actually did work at a hospital during school and it has not helped me at all get a job at that hospital. So..

I just got a job with an agency. It isn't glamorous, but it's a start. No other classmates that I know have a job right now.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Yeah its not a pretty situation in Jacksonville right now with 4 major nursing schools and a couple of minor ones, there really are alot of new grads. Some home health places are hiring. I am not going to lie to you, the major hospitals are just not looking. If I were you I would apply and then call the manager. Call the main hospital line and ask to speak to PACU and then when you get through ask to speak with the manager or what not. As for peds part, there are some home health companies that deal with peds that are hiring. But to work at Wolfson Childrens H. you have to have a BSN or know somebody that works there.

EDIT: the hospital at the base is hiring nurses.

(and they hire everybody if the person who told me is correct)

and if you are moving down here. Take your boards here. That way you don't have to wait a month for your nursing license to transfer over.