Where should a new grad BSN move?

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2014

Mars!

:-) Just kidding but that's how they make us new grads feel!

The problem (at least in my area) is that all of the new grad residency programs are giving the slots away to people who work at that hospital as a CNA before they graduate. No one else seems to have a chance.

That said, use your connections. When people said that to me, I thought wow, I'm a recent student, I have none! But think of any clinical rotations you did really well at. Walk in or call and speak to your preceptor(s). Tell them you really really learned a lot on that unit and you would love to work there. Ask them if they would put in a good word for you next time a position opens. That got me a job and of my classmates who have jobs and were not formerly CNAs, it worked for them as well. Nursing school told us to do the online application stuff that most facilities require, but (in Colorado anyway) it doesn't work. Applications are rejected before any human ever sees them. In person, preferably with a nurse who remembers how awesome you were in clinical seems to be the number one most successful way of getting a job.

Either that, or move to some rural town a zillion miles from everyone you know--ND and Montana for example. May as well be Mars!

NewYorkerGirl · Sep 11, 2014

The problem is I went to school in FL and can't stand to live there one more minute, so my connections are useless. Rural towns are fine as long as they're not in FL. :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2014

In essence, the places where few people want to live are the same cities and towns where new grad hospital openings are abundant. Destinations such as Lawton, OK, Wichita, KS, Fargo, ND, Eagle Pass, TX, Lincoln, NE, and Cheyenne, WY are the most promising for new grads.

However, to be a serious candidate, you'd need licensure in the state where you plan to move. Job applications without the licensure in hand might not be taken seriously.

DatMurse · Sep 11, 2014

I applied to 20+ different states. Bismarck and Fargo ND called me right away. I had interviews for medsurg in fargo and bismarck but I rejected it because I had med/onc in bismarck.

I want Onc exp....

NewYorkerGirl · Sep 13, 2014

Anything on the east coast? I think I could put up with Lincoln NE for a year. Those other places will be the death of me.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2014

Anything on the east coast? I think I could put up with Lincoln NE for a year. Those other places will be the death of me.

Most places on the East Coast are glutted with more new grads nurses than can be absorbed except perhaps some towns in rural Maine and Vermont. There's a frequent poster on these forums who could not find a job anywhere in Massachusetts and ended up relocating to Vermont for the first nursing position almost a year after graduation.

Lawton is not too bad. It's a military instillation (Fort Sill), so it is full of muscular men in uniform and all of the places of business that provide recreation to them. It's also just a short drive from Dallas, Texas, which is a more cosmopolitan and fun city.

edmia, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2014

Lawton is not too bad. It's a military instillation (Fort Sill), so it is full of muscular men in uniform...

Now that's a good recommendation!

It might be because I'm nearing the 6th decade of life, but relocating sounds very appealing to me. I've always wanted to live in an austere place like Fargo or ride a horse in Montana... Sigh, go live it for me OP!

Now for some serious talk: OP, the east coast is toast. Forget about it. Look at some of the places Commuter suggested and get your nursing shoes filled with confidence. I would rather spend the next 2 years learning my nursing craft than spend months learning how to get your resume to the top of the list.

Good luck!

NewYorkerGirl · Sep 13, 2014

Lawton is not too bad. It's a military instillation (Fort Sill), so it is full of muscular men in uniform and all of the places of business that provide recreation to them.

Military men are not my type at all. :dead: Also, I don't think a New Yorker like me would do well in Texas. I looked at a hospital in rural Vermont, but housing seemed to be impossible (no affordable rentals). It's still something I'm open to if anyone has any names of Vermont or Maine hospitals I can look into.

I will apply to ND if nothing pans out in the next month. I'm going stir-crazy sitting in this house with nothing to do. I need a job! :eek:

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2014

The upper Midwest has quite a few openings and hires new grads, especially with a BSN. Also you could try getting into a nursing home to get some experience. I finally got call backs from hospitals when I had some nursing experience in a nursing home on my resume.

AWanderingMinstral · Sep 13, 2014

1) IF you're TRULY interested in an adventure, try applying for openings with the Indian Health Service. They also have loan repayment:

http://www.ihs.gov/careeropps/loanrepayment/

2) I have been a seasonal/travel nurse for the past three years. I really enjoyed my time working at Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Falls, NY. It's on the edge of the Adirondacks and it's an AWESOME place to be both in the winter and the summer.

Good luck!

whatsmyusername_RN · Sep 16, 2014

Hi OP,

Are you willing to travel? How about to ND? St. Alexius has a graduate nurse program all year long. I've been hired there recently and had a good experience with them. I'm from CT and had to drive over 1700 miles to get there but I didn't regretted it. I'm new there but you can use me as a referral if you'd like. Just PM me.