When to move?

I have been a nurse for about a year and a half now here in New Orleans. I started in the ER about 4 months ago but have been looking to move to Florida. The reason for the move is not because of a job, but because I enjoyed living there and I am about to start online school thats based out of Florida. I am wondering should I wait till I have a full year of experience before I move or should I just go ahead and do it? I would be willing to do the nurse graduate programs that some of the hospitals offer since I do not have much ER nursing experience. The ER that I work in now is a small ER that does not see much critical care.
Wait until you have one full year of nursing experience before you move.

Yes, you should wait. Four months is barely long enough to get off orientation in most places. Most hospitals want at least a year of experience. If you have only four months you won't qualify for most positions and might be seen as a job-hopper and a risky employee. There is plenty of time to move in the future. Florida isn't going anywhere. Stick it out until your year mark and then start looking. You could also look and apply now, but not commit to moving unless you get a good offer.

wait. get a year or two of experience. then start looking.

Take a long hard look at the job market and economy of FL before you ever consider moving there.I left FL in March after living there for almost 20 years.

Can't hurt to start looking now, but I wouldn't move until you have a job offer -- in writing. I'd give that same advice even if you already had a year in your current job -- jobs are scarce, and personally I wouldn't move to a new area until I had a job lined up.Good luck!

I wonder if the fact that you've been already in the ER for several months will exclude you being given much at all in the way of a new grad program, or even much orientation at a new hospital. I've heard from many that once you've done hospital in any capacity, the new place will not give you much of a leg up. So, if you leave right away like before your orientation is over, you are OK, and if you land a new hospital job, you probably will be trained. But, if you stay several months at the first place, you've pretty much lost your chance to gain any more extensive edu from another hospital. They will expect you to need little edu. show you where the pyxis is and expect you to pretty much be off and running.

start applying and move when you have a job offer. don't put life on hold for your current job, but be smart about it too. Good luck!

I changed jobs after 4 and a half months because my husband got his dream job and we had to relocate. If there's a reason to move, I don't see a need to wait.

there is no real reason to move, the reason would be because I miss florida, I think there is some confusion as to my experience, I have 1 year experience as a tele nurse and 4 months as an ER nurse. I am afraid of coming off as a job hopper if I was to move right away. I'm starting to think wait until spring/summer so that I have 2 full years experience as a nurse. My hospital does not have much in education to truly help me be the best ER nurse that I can be compared to what I have seen reading what hospitals require. Looking at ORMC and Florida Hospital they seem to be willing to send you to classes to help you become what they want, which I am willing.

Quote from ertrek84there is no real reason to move, the reason would be because i miss florida, i think there is some confusion as to my experience, i have 1 year experience as a tele nurse and 4 months as an er nurse. i am afraid of coming off as a job hopper if i was to move right away. i'm starting to think wait until spring/summer so that i have 2 full years experience as a nurse. my hospital does not have much in education to truly help me be the best er nurse that i can be compared to what i have seen reading what hospitals require. looking at ormc and florida hospital they seem to be willing to send you to classes to help you become what they want, which i am willing.