Relocating to Montgomery County

[ro2878, ADN, BSN]

Hi All,

I am currently a nursing student in AZ and will be starting Block 3 (out of 4 blocks of a community college ADN program). Already have a BS, which is why I went the ADN route. I also received a med asst certificate and worked as a peds med asst for about 3 years before starting my RN program.

The job outlook for new grad RNs in AZ is terrible! Hospitals are only hiring from within and even that is no guarantee. During our clinicals, we met several CNAs that were already employed by the hospital, returned to school for their RNs and passed NCLEX but cannot get hired as RNs. It's crazy!

I will graduate in Dec 2011 and will be joining my husband (who recently lost his job and took a government position in Germantown, MD).

Here are my questions:

1. What is the job market like in MD for new grads?

2. What are the best hospitals to work for in Montgomery Co.? I will most likely stay in peds or would like to go into labor & delivery.

3. Are there any hospitals with nurse externship/new grad programs? (I have very good grades.)

4. Is it possible to be hired with only a ADN or are the hospitals requiring a BSN? Will they hire you on with an ADN if you continue on for your BSN?

5. What is the best time to start applying since I am coming from out of state? Do you start before you graduate?

Sorry this post is so long - I appreciate any info!

[chaxanmom]

I'm not sure about the job market because we are getting ready to move to New Jersey but my top top TOP pick for hospitals in the area is Suburban. Especially the oncology floor. I did a distance LPN-BSN program and had to arrange my own clinicals. Suburban stepped in and helped me out so much! I later ended up working at Hopkins and I really wish I had stayed with Suburban. The environment is soooo different. I