Relocating

[arrohde, BSN]

Hello! I am looking to relocate to Colorado. Leaning more towards Colorado Springs area. However, I am stuck on what I should do to get out there. My thoughts currently are travel nursing (generalized), travel nursing (within a hospital organization such as UCHealth), or applying for a perm staff position.

My background is 1 year neuro ICU at the Cleveland Clinic and 1 year in the Emergency room at Metrohealth which is our government hospital and our level 1 trauma center. I would be moving with my significant other and 3 large dogs from Ohio!

I would love to stay in the Emergency room, hopefully in another level 1 trauma center. From my research I know Colorado is expensive... so I am not sure which route is the best to take. Thank you in advance for all of your advice!!

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

You can try 3RNET.org or USAjobs.gov

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

My only concern is your lack of experience for travel nursing. You have two 1 year experiences in two different areas. Why not just apply for a staff position? Look at the hospital near the area and look for open positions.

What is the purpose of your move? Are you just looking to get out of Ohio and randomly chose CO? Does your SO have a job yet? Moving is SO expensive and a huge change. If you have total flexibility in terms of where to live, I would wait for you both to secure jobs first and then find a place to live that makes sense based on location. Based on your experience I would probably look for doing a staff position in either ER or Neuro ICU so you aren't also training for a completely new skillset with the added stress of a new hospital, new home, new city, etc. Good luck!

[arrohde, BSN]

13 hours ago, MHDNURSE said:

What is the purpose of your move? Are you just looking to get out of Ohio and randomly chose CO? Does your SO have a job yet? Moving is SO expensive and a huge change. If you have total flexibility in terms of where to live, I would wait for you both to secure jobs first and then find a place to live that makes sense based on location. Based on your experience I would probably look for doing a staff position in either ER or Neuro ICU so you aren't also training for a completely new skillset with the added stress of a new hospital, new home, new city, etc. Good luck!

Thank you! I ultimately decided on CO because of the Denver airport being a huge hub. It makes flights back home less expensive either way. I am a huge outdoorsy person as well I think CO is a great place that will fit my lifestyle. My SO works for Fedex so it would be a matter of him putting in for a transfer to the positions as they become posted for the specific area. I guess my thought was wondering if people had experience with the travel positions out there vs. perm staff! Advantages/disadvantages of both? Thanks again!

[arrohde, BSN]

14 hours ago, RNNPICU said:

My only concern is your lack of experience for travel nursing. You have two 1 year experiences in two different areas. Why not just apply for a staff position? Look at the hospital near the area and look for open positions.

Thanks for your reply! I know many people who began travel nursing with far less experience. A lot of the positions I have seen just require at least one year in the specific department and the certifications that go along. I was just trying to see what would be more beneficial to relocating with either picking up some travel assignments or just applying for a perm staff position! I know the area is overall low paying for nurses, so I am just looking for some insight. Thanks again!

[Nunya, BSN]

I would start looking at available jobs now and realize you might have to take whatever you can get. Lots of people want to go to CO and several years ago it was hard to get a nursing job. Maybe it's changed now but if you need both jobs make sure you can get one.