Tips for Nurses Relocating to Another State

Thanks. Do you also have like financial tips for moving? Meaning, like how much should one have saved before moving and what other expenses should I expect? As of now, I am going to look local because of other commitments that I have made, but my options are limited because of my situation. So, there's a possibility that I will have to move. I have not moved before, so I am not sure money wise and expense wise what to expect.

Why did it cost you 9000 to move? What are you including in that? The hubby and I have 4 kids are really would like to move(we live in Louisiana) and I graduate with ADN in May 2013...We just can't decide where lol!

Very helpful! Thank you for the post!

It does depend on if you are permanently relocating, not if you are just travellingIt also depends on how far you are travelling, everything goes up per mileMoney to move 3 bed-roomed house approx $2000 even if you move yourself it ended up costing us over $3000, if get a removal company it can be 2-3 times more expensiveGas for 2 cars plus cost of wear and tearCar insurance needs to be calculated as it varies from state to stateNursing licence fee's up to $200TranscriptsCar taxes, if you move states the interest on your car loan can increase!!Hotel accommodation approx $100 per nightFood for the journeyRent and deposit around $2000 normally one month up front and one month depositSome states will charge for turning on Electricity, Gas and Telephone, some may require a depositThese are just examples of how carefully you need to plan

I moved from KY to NC - so it was pretty simple in getting my license converted to NC. Except that I was living in KY, had a KY license with a compact license but was working in/licensed in WV - so it took a moment longer getting documentation from the WV RN board. But it was still pretty easy, and with no disciplinary action in any previous state NC BON issued a temporary permit like the day after they received my application while my final verification from WV RN board was still pending. I moved with a moving company but even had a I rented a similar size rental - by the time we added fuel and time off work for my family to help me load and unload it would have cost about the same amount as paying a company. It cost me a little under $4000 given that I had final expenses at my old residence (I broke my lease early so I had an extra month's rent but got it all back with my deposit money when they had inspected the unit), move in expenses at my new apartment, moving fees and licensure fees plus a check to send to WV RN board for status verification (they don't participate with NURSYS). I would budget to be able to pay all of your expenses for a least a two months or more (any loans, rent, insurance premiums, food costs, spending money etc) - I only had three weeks off between jobs but you have to remember most employers pay staff nurses bi-weekly. My employer does but it's on a Wednesday (? what in the world?) so it made it about three weeks into working before I saw any of my earnings. The way my pay hit that first pay period, I had to be able to pay rent and student loans for two months without getting paid for work just yet. Consider cost of living where you will live and any expenses you must handle prior to beginning a new job - are you one that has to have cable/internet hooked up right away or can it wait? Do you have to take over paying water/sewer/utilities immediately or how are the billed where you are moving? My water is a month behind (I paid the September bill at the end of October), but it's not like that everywhere. Budget extra cushion - I had to take my dog to the vet the week I moved into my apartment because she got sick - and that was another $150 I hadn't planned on spending...Research where you want to move and areas you might want to live in. Learn not just about licensure in the state you want to move to but what about the area you want to move to (crime, cost of living, schools, etc). How close would you be to work, what is transportation like? This is kind of more a consideration once you have an offer... I had two offers about 60 miles apart in the same state to choose from and chose the one I did based on the quality of their onboarding/orientation program. But I drove to this area for my interview and then drove to this area to scope out apartments it gets very overwhelming. Having your ducks in a row as much as possible is good though. Anything you can pre-plan is great too. Copies of important documents are handy too, and something you really shouldn't send on a moving truck. It also might be a good idea, in preparation for a move to go through your stuff and get rid of junk you don't need. Most moving companies charge a rate based on volume or weight of the contents you are shipping - and it can get really expensive really quickly. With respect to interviewing - PREPARE for an interview. Research the facility you've applied to, and go through practice questions for interviews. Be able to come up with examples of successes and less than ideal outcomes (including steps you take to fix them), how would you handle unprofessional behaviors out of coworkers or with family members of patients etc. Have questions to ask for your interviewers and to ask if you get a chance to shadow or to tour the unit (it makes you look prepared). I took notes with me for the interviews I was most successful with. Dress professionally and conservatively unless otherwise directed, do not go overboard on makeup, perfume, jewelry anything of that nature. Pack a pair of dressy flats if that's not what you (female) wears for your interview because touring or shadowing units may make it uncomfortable to be in any type of heels. For those who are getting ready to graduate from nursing school for entry as an RN - make friends with your senior practicum preceptor and/or multiple professors and clinical instructors from school. If you don't move, chances are they may know someone who knows someone where you are applying, or they will be the ones most likely to give a good recommendation/reference and/or write a good recommendation letter. If your school offers it - use any available career center for help proofing a resume and cover letter. Little things matter in this economy especially as a new grad. Go after hospitals with RN residency programs and see what the application requires to be completed AND when the deadlines are - those are programs most likely to hire new grads who have not passed NCLEX anywhere yet. The programs usually get a lot of applicants, and a lot from out of state too.

Thank you! This is very helpful info.I want to become a NP but also find a job where I am not limited to one location.

This was great information! I am relocating to Tampa soon and have interviewed and visited with different hospitals in the area. Speaking with the unit directors and staff, all the hospitals seem great. However, I hope to choose the right place for me to work. I've been researching the hospitals online, looking at hospital reviews, HCHAPS, ect. Do you have any suggestions for me to help find better employee reviews? When you moved, how did you know which hospital to choose? Thanks! Rachel

Quote from rachel3332This was great information! I am relocating to Tampa soon and have interviewed and visited with different hospitals in the area. Speaking with the unit directors and staff, all the hospitals seem great. However, I hope to choose the right place for me to work. I've been researching the hospitals online, looking at hospital reviews, HCHAPS, ect. Do you have any suggestions for me to help find better employee reviews? When you moved, how did you know which hospital to choose? Thanks! Rachel

Great information. I am in the process of deciding about accepting a job in California and moving from Texas. We had not talked about relocation assistance yet, but I plan to ask them about that.

This was very helpful! However, does anyone know of an employment agency that deals primarily with Registered Nurse placement. Of course there are local agencies but I am looking for an agency to contact that can look for what is available across the United States. I am not from out of the country (I have found several of those sites) but simply would like to move from California to another state. It is extremely difficult to find work in any of the hospitals here unless you have at least 2-3 years of experience in your field of expertise.I graduated at the age of 52 years old. Because of a family member with terminal cancer, I needed to leave my position as a R.N. in Neurology/Acute Care after only 8 months. In the course of almost 2 years, my other mother and mother were diagnosed with cancer as well. In the interim of illnesses, I tried desperately to find work. I have worked in Hospice for 16 months. However, without that acute care experience....Where I move depends on work. My preferences are Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, Vermont, Montana, Idaho, Kentucky, Tennessee, and (believe it or not) Alaska.....NO midwest or southern states again! Been there, done that! Ft. Myers, FL has ONE hospital system and ONE hospice system. Temperatures ranging in the high 90's, with absolutely no break from the heat for 9 months. No way!Any suggestions?Darlene