Thinking of moving to MN

From what I've heard, new grads are having a difficult time finding jobs. There are people who find openings though like any other place. There are a lot of great suburbs in the Twin Cities. Living in which suburb depends on where your husband is working because commute will be different - Twin Cities is big! Eden Prairie is a good one, Maple Grove, Eagan, etc. Minneapolis is a really pretty city that's both not too big that you get overwhelmed but large enough to have plenty of things to do. It's just really cold up here!!! Summers are great though.

As a lifelong resident, I'll say MN is lovely and a great place to live!!! As a new (Dec. 09) grad, it is a tough market. I have prior HC experience, multiple degrees, fantastic grades, and I'm having trouble even getting interviews. People with 10+ years of experience are getting the positions I'm applying for (no, I'm not being picky). I have yet to find one hospital, metro or outstate, with a new grad program that has not been put on a temporary hold (if someone knows otherwise, please speak up.) I had an interview yesterday for a part time position that will require a 130 mile commute each way, if I am lucky enough to be offered the job.

If you can get some experience before you come I think you'd have a better chance.

Sorry to be so negative, I am just cranky:p

I don't know the status of the MPLS VAMC nurse residency program. Here is the link to the nurse recruiting page.

The VA is starting to post positions again.

Thanks, HM2VikingRN! I've been watching the VA sites regularly, but I didn't even know they HAD a nurse residency program. I went to your link and it turns out they also have a lot of options for students in nursing school to get experience.

I just called now and was told by the recruiter at the VA that they just do the residency program for new grads they have hired into a specific position. So, while you can't apply to the program itself, you can apply for jobs at the VA and, if hired, then you get the benefits of the residency program.

As a result of all this, I'm definitely going to be more aggressive with my VA apps.

Thanks!

Thanks to those that replied. Sounds like it would be a similar market to what I'm currently dealing with in Portland, OR. Thanks again for the input!

Montana has new grad programs - it's not quite as cold, and way less mosquitos!! :grad:

I don't know the status of the MPLS VAMC nurse residency program. Here is the link to the nurse recruiting page.

The VA is starting to post positions again.[/quo

*** to the OP. I am currently in orientation at MPLS VAMC. My main educator is the director of the nurse residency program. If you have any questions I can ask her and get back to you.

I have discovered that hardly any of the VAMC open nursing jobs ever make it to USAjobs. I had a nurse manger ask me why I hadn't applied to her unit since my resume was a good fit for her unit. I told her there where never any positions posted and she was very surprised. She told me she had several open positions and had assumed the nurse recruiter was posting them on USAjobs. Well I can tell you, after watching USAjobs for an ICU position for two years, none of them where ever posted.

whtepketfences, which hospital in Montana? I am from MN and interested in relocating to obtain an RN job if there are openings!

I don't know the status of the MPLS VAMC nurse residency program. Here is the link to the nurse recruiting page.

The VA is starting to post positions again.[/quo

*** to the OP. I am currently in orientation at MPLS VAMC. My main educator is the director of the nurse residency program. If you have any questions I can ask her and get back to you.

I have discovered that hardly any of the VAMC open nursing jobs ever make it to USAjobs. I had a nurse manger ask me why I hadn't applied to her unit since my resume was a good fit for her unit. I told her there where never any positions posted and she was very surprised. She told me she had several open positions and had assumed the nurse recruiter was posting them on USAjobs. Well I can tell you, after watching USAjobs for an ICU position for two years, none of them where ever posted.

PMFB, who are you? You must be new on my unit. I know my boss has been mad that her jobs haven't been posted outside. I have a feeling we are talking about the same person.