Relocation Packages

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I have a question for the group.

I am pondering on whether to start looking for administrative type positions. My husband is easily relocatable, so that is not an issue.

My concern is the house we have.

Both of us have relocated early in our careers, but we were in a rented condo. That was easy because all they did was buy out the lease and gave us an allowance to move.

I have attempted to research how companies will relocate you, but I am curious to hear others that have done this with home ownership.

I understand that sometimes all they give you is a ballpark $3K relocation package and then the rest is up to you. However, I am interested in hearing from others where they offered to do something with the house and how it worked.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I didn't relocate for a managment position, but I was offered $2k as reimbursement for relocation expenses when I got my first job out of nursing school (I moved more than 400 miles to a different state). My total moving bill was closer to $2300 and they ended up reimbursing the whole thing when I presented the receipt. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I also knew a couple moving from the West Coast to the East Coast for the same job who were relocating together, and they were offered a combined $5k for the both of them.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

With the nursing market such as it is, I would be surprised if many places even offer relo help. With multiple applicants for most open positions, there would be no need to spend $$ to move someone. The exception would be the rural areas where candidates are scarce.

My MBA daughter tells me that even in the business world, it is becoming less common for relocation packages. Some candidates will fly to the city of their choice to mail their applications, so as to appear to be local.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

Hospitals generally won't do it for nursing positions, but they will do it for management positions and above. It is actually a standard practice.

I really don't understand the mailing of applications to "appear local". Because your driver's license, background check, and work history will give it away.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Hospitals generally won't do it for nursing positions, but they will do it for management positions and above. It is actually a standard practice.

I really don't understand the mailing of applications to "appear local". Because your driver's license, background check, and work history will give it away.

And as I mentioned, "standard practice" appears to be changing across the board.

The local postmark keeps the application from being automatically rejected due to location. The cover letter explains that the candidate fully intends to move him/herself. Besides, background checks, etc. don't come until long into the process.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You don't have to be in management. If OP has mad skills in a highly-marketable specialty, a sweet relo package is definitely possible these days. There is an emerging shortage of highly experienced nurses for ED, ICU & OR in my area of the country. These packages are somewhat negotiable, depending on how much that individual is needed.

On the management side, there are even more compelling stories. I recently heard of a highly experienced & qualified (MSN, CNOR) CV-OR manager who received a 6 month salary signing bonus (YOWZA!) as well as an extremely generous relo package that included assistance with selling her house & 3 months housing in the new area.... in exchange for a 3 year commitment to the new organization. Although this is second-hand info, it was from a very reliable source who is a nurse 'headhunter' in our area.

Bottom line - the current employment climate is still somewhat grim for new grads, but there is an emerging shortage of experienced nurses, particularly those in specialty areas. Early career nurses should incorporate this information into their career planning.

[toomuchbaloney]

I am aware of a relocation package for an RN in AK that included a 5K moving/relocation allowance that they would either pay to the RN or directly to the moving company. He chose direct to company so as to avoid the income taxation of the cash.

He additionally negotiated a "bonus" which was designed to cover the amount above the $5k that he knew it was going to cost him to move from Ohio to AK. Additionally, he was housed in temporary housing while he got himself situated and found a place to live...that was part of his initial compensation.

These sort of things are generally negotiable at some level.

[OutOfStater]

Just out of curiosity, was the AK relocation package for a floor nurse, or a management position?

[toomuchbaloney]

Just out of curiosity, was the AK relocation package for a floor nurse, or a management position?

management

[wanderlust99]

I received 3k for relocation bonus for a staff nursing position a couple months ago. So it does still exist.