please help with my situation

I would take the job and keep looking.

In this economy, I don't think new grads can afford to be choosy, if they want to work as an RN.

Think of it this way, you can force yourself to do *anything* for 6-12 months (or at least I can, as long as I know there's an end in sight), and by then the economy will have hopefully improved some, and you will have some experience under your belt.

You will have to start paying back your loans, regardless of if you took the job. You will likely have to get your own vehicle, regardless of where you get a job. I can guarantee you that working at Starbucks or Kroger does not pay $23/hour.

Is there any housing within a few miles of the hospital where you could bike to work?

I would do it for at least a year and then you can always get another job somewhere else. It will be easier to find a job after you have a year experience. 1 year of your life will go by quickly and it's better than a lifetime of what if's and I should have's.

Tough decision but thats what life is all about. I think you should take the job, try to get the one year of experience and then you can move back to be closer to family.

Try to rentshare a room not an apt close to the hospital. This way you can walk to your job. This way you can save some money for a month or two before you get a car. Also if you are looking to get a car on credit, they would need at least two paystubs. Also look to buying groceries from a nearby gas station till you get a car. It will be tough at the begining but you can do it.

and they require me to move within a week .... this puts a lot of pressure on me right now because I'm trying to find a place to rent

Take the job - you will have more pressure if you don't take it and you bills start piling up. You can do it - it will pay off in the end and ultimately get you to where you need to be. Good Luck!

As a new grad studying for my boards I agree with everyone who has posted. Recruiters won't even give our resumes a chance without a license and this is your first offer I would gladly take it and get some experience on the resume. In six months you may be offered a job closer to home, I believe it's worth the sacrifice for now. Take it!

stay in a motel or look for one of these www.valueplace.com at $600 a month no lease. you should be able to afford it with your paycheck.

Recently had a friend in an simliar situation and he relocated 4 hours away. He stayed in a cheap motel a couple of week until he found a nurse who had a house and needed another roommate (there's also another nurse who rents another room.) He loves it. Says its a great hospital, and he making lots of new contacts, and friends. He also feels he is learning a lot. So my point is ......it could turn out to be great even through you cannot see it now. Go for it!!!!

if this is really small town USA, try asking at HR about housing.....local church/synagogue/town hall/grange hall etc

Once you get there, just place a posting on the breakroom bulletin boards to say you are looking for a room to rent until you relocate fully. If you stay in motels, be sure and get in their rewards programs so that you get a free room for your stays. You sign up free for the rewards programs. And you can negotiate with any motel or bed and breakfast directly, to say you will be staying a week, 2, 3 , etc. to get a lower rate. Best of luck to you.

think of this as a grand adventure. Yeah, I know it's scary moving to the middle of nowhere where you don't know a soul, but this could be a wonderful experience. Give it a year. That year will fly by, you'll be more marketable, and you'll have gained so much confidence in your professional and personal life.

Load what you can in a uhaul and do it. Craigslist is your new BFF, both for new stuff and a place to stay. The internet makes things so much easier to find housing and things like that.

You're gonna do great and it sounds like a lot of fun. I kind of envy you in a way.

Thanks everyone! These are all great advices. I didn't think about motels/hotels...etc I'll look into it!