Possibly moving to Hampton, VA

NrsintheFam · Sep 22, 2009

Are you sure you wonna move here..lol...j/k. :) Yorktown area is cool (and you hardly hear of crime in the area), depending on what area you live it can get expensive, I'd say pretty much the Tabb area is more costly as far as homes are concerned. It's a spread out town bordered by newport news, hampton and williamsburg.

I just got into nursing school, so don't know much about the hospitals, but have heard and read that Sentara is a good place to start (they have one in Hampton). Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughter (CHKD) is a nice hospital (taken my kids there), but again don't know much about they're employment, they do seem to be hiring new grads though. Then there's Riverside Regional Medical Center and also Mary Immaculet Hospital they (MI) have a new grad (RN) program.

Well that's all I have, I'm sure others will chime in.

Kevin RN08 · Sep 22, 2009

For living, Yorktown and Williamsburg are great. Much depends on what you want, schools for kids, shopping convenience, and such. Newport News has some wonderful older neighborhoods that are comparitively inexpensive with good lot size (.3-.5 ac) and convenient. If you want country Gloucester, Surry, Smithfield are options to live.

As Nrs in the Fam said, there are 3 hospital systems (locations), Sentara (Hampton, Williamsburg, Norfolkx2, VBx2-3), Bon Secours (Newport News, Portsmouth, Richmond), and Riverside (Newport News/Hampton, Gloucester); especially if you are a military family don't forget the Federal Govt there is a VA in Hampton & Richmond, Langley AFB, and Portsmouth Naval Hospital. As it seems to be all over, new grad jobs are at a premium with very few opportunities right now.

al7139, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2009

Hate to say it, but the replies you have gotten about opportunities are true. When I graduated, they couldn't get new grads in the door fast enough ( I had my job before I graduated), now most positions want experienced nurses, and the new grads are left in the lurch. If you do move here, it may be a while before you find a job. If you are married, be sure you can survive for a while on 1 income until you find a job. It is a great place to live, but jobs for new grads are few and far between right now due to the economy...

If you are offered a position, take it. I recommend Sentara. I work for them, and their orientation is great, with training on the unit as well as classroom time. Also the pay grade is better especially if you take an evening or night position.

Hope this helps, you can PM me if you have more detailed questions.

Amy

oreo84 · Sep 24, 2009

Thanks everyone! I'm planning on staying where I am for the time being and working for about 6 months or so before I move anyways... so hopefuly by that time jobs will be easier to find because I'll have SOME experience. I'm sort of planning this around my guys new job/training schedule. Is 6 months of experience enough experience to start applying for other positions or do they look for a year of experience or something? If I only had 6 months experience... would I still need to be applying for new grad positions??? I guess I need to start calling hospitals to ask about that as well.

Thanks for the input about the area/hospitals.

:-)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 25, 2009

From what I've heard recently, the local hospitals have started hiring a few new grads...but it's still a case of too many grads and not enough new grad jobs. Plus, there are nursing schools that will be graduating students in October and then December, so you'll have even more competition.

Sentara and Bon Secours told me that you'd need at least a year of experience before you're no longer considered a new grad. I don't know about the other hospitals...but I think a year is the general guideline for most places. Still, you could (and should!) start applying early--in fact, Bon Secours does have a new grad program but the waiting list for it is LONG so get on it now.