relocating to boston

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Stroke, Trauma, Liver.

Hello, I am a 26 year old nurse, and am going to be relocating to boston in the next few months, and I currently have over three years experience as a nurse, almost 2 of them Icu experience(trauma, medical, stroke, and liver transplant). I was wondering how difficult it is to get jobs in hospitals such as mass general,brigham and womens, beth israel, and what are some great places to work with good people. Also what are good safe areas to live, and what can I expect to make hourly wise with my experience? I currently make around 26 dollars an hour at a level one trauma hospital in ft. lauderdale. Any information would be appreciated.

:)

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Many Boston hospitals have a hiring freeze in place.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Oh Amy, you couldn't have picked a worse time to want to come to Massachusetts. There are five Boston hospitals on a hiring freeze. The only hospital actively hiring/recruiting is UMass University campus in Worcester, and who knows how much longer that will last because there was just an emergency management meeting held over budget problems. If you look at the Boston/metro Boston hospitals you will see sometimes there are weeks between RN postings, and most of the positions that are open at the moment are not being filled because of financial constraints. I just spoke with an HR manager from Beth Israel today who told me that they are required to post open positions but are not filling them at this time because they have so many per diem and part-time employees looking to pick up extra hours as many of their husbands are out of work, or they just need the money. Salem Hospital has posted one position in the past month, and Boston Medical Center just posted several but they are in a severe financial crisis right now and are in the process of laying off. It is a really really difficult time to live in this state. Many new grads have been job seeking for 1-2 years without any luck at all. If you were to get a Boston area position you could expect to make anywhere from $30-34 base per hour, not including differentials, and depending on the hospital. Realize also that the cost of living is much, MUCH higher up here. I vacation in FL 2-3x per year and considered relocating so I speak from experience. I don't mean to dissuade you but trying to find an RN position in the Boston area right now is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Stroke, Trauma, Liver.

Thankyou so much for the information!! I really really appreciate it! What hospital do you work at now? I was going to try to get a travel nursing position up there, but I don't know how hard that will be either. This really stinks:( But Im going to try anyways.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Good luck! Just be prepared for the high cost of living. Boston started gentrifying in the late 70's and is one of the most expensive cities on the East Coast. I have a friend there who is paying $1250 for a tiny studio apartment in the Davis Square area. Back when I lived there, car insurance in metropolitan Boston was also very, very high.

On the other hand ... the public transportation is great. If you live within the system, you won't have to support a car unless you want to.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

You're not kidding about car insurance. I have a 2003 sedan and it costs me over $1800/year

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Stroke, Trauma, Liver.

Thanks for all the info you guys! I just cannot believe how difficult it is to get a job even with experience. I guess I can look into Western MA, you guys know of any good hospitals out there? Honestly I just want to move back to massachusetts :) I want to be done with SO. FLO!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

UMass is still hiring. I would contact HR, they are more than willing to take time to talk with you. I just interviewed for a position and am waiting to hear back. Baystate and Mercy have very few positions available right now also, but there is one cardiac ICU position open for an RN II on Baystate's website if that interests you, but I definitely think your best bet is UMass University campus in Worcester. Their number is 508-334-1000 and you can just ask to be connected to HR.

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Definitely apply in Boston in that's what you really want. Hiring is tight but some nurses are getting jobs, even some new grads. It's a tough market here right now but you never know. Baystate Medical Center is a large teaching hospital in Western Mass, but they've had some layoffs and financial difficulties as well.

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Honestly, I think you have a chance to get a job. Experienced ICU nurses are ALWAYS in demand. I lived in Mass too, and had to relocate due to the tough job market. I go there to visit about every 6 month, but after I went there for the New Year again, I decided it's better to stay in California :smokin: After living in Florida for several years you won't like winter in Boston. Plus housing is very expensive too.

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Stroke, Trauma, Liver.

why did you have to relocate? I'm gonna try and do travel nursing up there first to see if i like it, i was waiting for the weather to get a little warmer and then try and transition into a permanent hospital position up there, but I'm really bummed about this whole job market thing. plus i lived in fla my whole life and I CANNOT stand the hot ass muggy summers anymore!! i honestly think snow would be better!!

But i'm still gonna try...nonetheless..thanks for your advice

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Stroke, Trauma, Liver.

Plus we have to go into the hospital and be on lockdown during hurricanes, which REALLY blows. I got stuck at the hospital during hurricane wilma in 2006 for 36HOURS, all bc someone didnt show up to relieve me!!

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