New Grad Nursing Opportunities

[lifeworks]

In December I will be graduating with a BSN from a school in Chicago, Illinois. I want to relocate to New York soon after. I'm looking for advice on job opportunities with the HHC hospitals as well as the private hospitals in NYC. I have heard that in Chicago nurses start out making $25-30 an hour, is this similar to NY? I just want to know how much new grads are getting paid out there and what specific area you're in. Thanks to all you can reply!

Also, if there are any recent movers to NYC, how was the state's test to apply for the New York license?

Also, I am intersted in mental health, so are there lots of job opportunities within the mental health nursing field for new grads? If so, where is the best place to look?

[NYC4738]

Salary ranges from 67k at HHC to almost 90k if you are working nights at one of the private hospitals (NYU, NYP). Apply early, often and get as many certifications and hospital expirence as possible. If you're interested in mental health HHC is the place to be in my opinion. Also the NCLEX is a national exam, same test in all states.

[MinotRN]

My advice to you would be to get 1 year of experience in whatever hospital that will hire you then move to NYC as a travel nurse. I know of tons of nurses that are from NYC that can't get a job. They post all these opennings on the hospitals website but never call back once you apply. When you travel nurse to NYC, you make more money & you don't have the hassle of finding housing. The midwest is hiring new grads while the east and west coast are not.

Good Luck

[lifeworks]

Thanks for both of your advice. As a travel nurse aren't you likely to need 2 years of experience and aren't positions only on 3 to 6 month basis? I would prefer to work in a hospital for a couple of years to grow a relationship with my employer. I want to go back to school for my Doctorate at NYU or Columbia and I hear that hospitals provide tuition reimbursement. Is that still possible as a travel nurse? If so what are some of the agency names?

Also, I was told by others to work here in Chicago for a year first so that I get some experience behind me as a nurse. My school prides itself on its students getting hired by Presence Heath Hospitals (where our clinical s take place).

Thank you so much for the advice!