Thornton, Colorado-Graduate RN

klone, MSN, RN · Jun 29, 2011

I live next door to Thornton (Westminster). I believe I know where you are working (hospital?). I would not live in Denver, I would stay in the northern suburbs (unless you're single and have the money to live in a cool loft in LoDo or the I-25/Speer area by Elitches and REI). The wonderful thing about Thornton and Westminster is that it's close to a major interstate, so you can get just about anywhere quickly.

UC-Denver has a very good NP program.

Unless you're living and working in Denver proper, I would recommend bringing a vehicle. The RTD is good, but it's a bit limited in the suburbs.

You might also consider living somewhere like Broomfield or Louisville - great trails, very close to Boulder, still very accessible.

Starting pay for a new grad is around $22-24.

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2011

I really hope you already have a job lined up and aren't just planning to walk into one easily or quickly (and quickly in CO front range is less than 12 months).

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2011

It's not a long drive from AZ to CO. At least not IMO as I have done many many road trips. That would be a shorter one for me. Anyway I will ask that this get moved to the CO forums.

Columnist · Jun 30, 2011

Moved to CO Nurses Forum.

Izzy11, NP · Jul 1, 2011

I really hope you already have a job lined up and aren't just planning to walk into one easily or quickly (and quickly in CO front range is less than 12 months).

This is my question as well. If you do not have a job already, it is a very tough market for new grads. You definitely cannot plan on working in a specific location. Based on question 5, I'm guessing you don't have a job, but if you do:

1. If I will be working in Thornton, should I live in denver and commute to work (6am in the morning)

You want to at least live on the north side of town, although commutes at that hour are pretty easy. It depends how long you want to drive.

2. are there any near by nursing school in the area to pursue a NP degree

Regis and CU are the only two in the area, however there are plenty of on-line programs.

3. are the public transportation reliable. i am not sure if i should bring my vehicle down (hence it is such a long drive from arizona to colorado)

Yes, you need a vehicle. The public transportation is very limited in the suburbs - it is mainly set up for people who commute to downtown. Even in Denver, it's very limited if you need to be at work at 6.

4. any suggestions on where to live in the area ...i am looking for a nice bike route, scenic, friendly neighborhood, grocery stores nearby, bus route, fitness center, a library (all of these, or these in any combinations)

I'm not that familiar with the northern suburbs, but there are plenty of places around that have all of these.

5. what's the starting salary for a new grad RN

Around $23-24 in the hospitals, $26 or so in LTC.

nola1202 · Jul 1, 2011

I think you'll really love it here! Let us know when you make the move. One of my friends moved to Arizona and loves it there. I'm sure a lot of people would be glad to show u around meet for coffee, network, so let us know when you make the move.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

Where in AZ are you moving from? I moved from central AZ last year.

ccrodriguez82 · Jul 10, 2011

Hello everyone. I, too, will be graduating next month and will be moving to the Denver, CO area from TX. I am just wondering how the job market is faring for new grad RNs in CO. There are still several job options here in TX, but I would ultimately enjoy working and living in the Denver, CO area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 11, 2011

Hello everyone. I, too, will be graduating next month and will be moving to the Denver, CO area from TX. I am just wondering how the job market is faring for new grad RNs in CO. There are still several job options here in TX, but I would ultimately enjoy working and living in the Denver, CO area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I moved here with 4+ years experience, so I did not have a hard time finding a job, but my understanding is that it's very difficult for new grads to find jobs right now. If you have a BSN, you can try applying to the University hospital's nurse residency program for the fall. My recommendation is if you have job opportunities in TX, stay there and work for a year or two, and then try to find work in CO as an experienced nurse.

Akeos · Jul 14, 2011

The job market here for nurses is TERRIBLE. I graduated over a year ago, and still cant find a job in a hospital, if your willing to work in LTC or home health you MIGHT have a better chance of getting a job. Over half the class i graduated with moved to TX to get jobs. IMO you should stay there and get experience, it will be very hard to find anything here.

OP- I would recommend bringing a car, however Denver was just named as having one of the best public transportation systems in the country, it's definatly not as good in the north suburbs but there are plenty of buses that still run there. Denver's not more than a 15-20 minute commute to Thorton if you want to live in downtown or around there, do it. its a great expereince and tons of parks and bike routes around. good luck

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2011

The job market here for nurses is TERRIBLE. I graduated over a year ago, and still cant find a job in a hospital, if your willing to work in LTC or home health you MIGHT have a better chance of getting a job.

Which is a funny irony, because I have 5+ years of acute hospital experience and have been trying to get into home health with NO luck (because I don't have home health experience).