Need advice about first RN job, TN, PA

Nurses Job Hunt

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I'm about to start my last semester of nursing school and will graduate in December from ETSU in Tennessee. I am planning on moving to the Philadelphia area after I graduate, but will need to have a job setup first. Can someone explain to me the process I will need to go through to find a job there. I'll have a TN license, so how will that work? And when will I need to start looking/applying for jobs? Is it too soon to start right now? Will hospitals consider offering me a job even without taking the NCLEX? And would anyone recommend contacting nurse recruiters at different hospitals, or how should I go about it? I need to start figuring out a job/living situation asap..so any advice would be appreciated. I feel kind of in the dark here..

Thanks in advance.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You can start ASAP and find some new grad programs; if you are moving to PA, you can take your NCLEX exam and apply for your PA license while still taking the NCLEX in TN.

Please know that the Philly area has THOUSANDS of new and experienced nurses; there has not been a nursing shortage in decades; timing is everything, so it would be best to cast your net wide and apply, reach out to recruiters and go from there.

It really depends on the hospital/program. Most hospitals, nursing homes, LTC, etc. in PA want you to have your PA license before even applying for positions and even some new grad programs require a license.

BTW, the Philadelphia area is saturated with experienced nurses and new grad nurses. New grads, like myself, are having a hard time finding a position. Even nursing homes here require experience.

Best of luck to you!!

Is the move to the philadelphia area definite? I am not sure what the new grad scene is like in TN but in philly it is brutal so be prepared to take about 6 months to find a job. Not sure if you are making the move for family reasons, but if you are doing it just for fun, i would highly suggest reconsidering or at least look into more rural areas on PA further out from philly.

In regards to you license, you can either take the boards in TN and then endorse your license in PA or just take your boards for PA. The PA SBON is pretty with it (much better than our neighboring state of NJ!) so it shouldn't take forever for endorsement. Not sure what the timing of TN is but look into which path will be quickest as most philly area hospitals will not even consider you prior to passing your boards/having your pa license.

Start by making a list of hospitals near where you will be relocating!

I'm a recent Philly grad and all of the applications I have filled out require your PA license number. I know of one person who applied to doctor's offices without a license number, but most any other type of facility will require it.

As others have said, if you're definitely moving to PA, just apply to the PA BON and you can still take your test in TN. The PA BON is very fast. You will get your ATT within days and your license will be posted 24 hours after NCLEX. If you decide to endorse your TN license, the process takes about 2 weeks after your TN license is issued, but only do this if you will also be applying for jobs in TN, otherwise you'll be adding an extra step for nothing.

Take a look at job postings in the Philly area. Most jobs require experience and most of my classmates are still looking, so be prepared for that. My friends who have found jobs are all working in LTC with the exception of a few who worked in a hospital while in nursing school. There are very few new grad programs and they are extremely competitive, and only consider BSN graduates. As far as contacting recruiters, most the jobs I have applied for specifically ask you not to contact them, that they will contact you if they want an interview. This is probably because they job market here is over-saturated right now. It's totally possible to get a job here, but you may have to work in LTC for a while, and although the pay is great, the nurse-patient ratios are not.

Also, try to do some research on the neighborhoods here before you move. There are a lot of very unsafe areas and it's only getting worse. I'm actually trying to move clear out of Philly largely because of the crime. It may be better to live in NE Philly or commute from Bucks County, or just move near one of the universities if you must live in center city.

Good luck to you :)

Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

Also, try to do some research on the neighborhoods here before you move. There are a lot of very unsafe areas and it's only getting worse. I'm actually trying to move clear out of Philly largely because of the crime. It may be better to live in NE Philly or commute from Bucks County, or just move near one of the universities if you must live in center city.

Good luck to you :)

So what you're saying is that it's just like any other city.

The market is brutal here. Abington Health system is supposedly doing a lot of layoffs, Jefferson hasnt been hiring nurses in god knows how long, and Penn is so competitive I dont think they even look at online applications. Temple is also difficult to get into, as it is a great place to work. Dont move here without financial support or another backup plan, because it will be some time before you land something.

As far as I know....nowhere will really look at you without a license number. No need to with such a saturated market.

And dont cross the bridge into jersey thinking it's any better. Woof.

The market is brutal here. Abington Health system is supposedly doing a lot of layoffs, Jefferson hasnt been hiring nurses in god knows how long, and Penn is so competitive I dont think they even look at online applications. Temple is also difficult to get into, as it is a great place to work. Dont move here without financial support or another backup plan, because it will be some time before you land something.

As far as I know....nowhere will really look at you without a license number. No need to with such a saturated market.

And dont cross the bridge into jersey thinking it's any better. Woof.

Many hospitals will not even look at your resume if you have less than one year experience.

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