I am a nurse who wants to relocate out of my area. What kind of relocation assistance can I expect frommy future employer?

If you need money to move, you need to rethink this decision now. Most hospitals provide relocation assistance. We have seen this range from $1,500 to $20,000 depending upon the facility and the cost of living. You need to keep in mind that you will not have this money upfront. In most cases, you will see it in a lump sum, 60 days after your start date. In order to relocate, you must have the financial resources to get you through this time or you could find yourself in crisis.

I have 5 years Emergency Department experience and I really want to move to the ICU. My employer says they cannot train me right now. How can I make this move?

You just have to ask, ask, ask. It is usually a matter of timing. Don’t lock yourself out of a new facility because you only want the ICU and they will bring you into the ED. This is common. Really interview the facility to make sure it is somewhere you can plant yourself for at least a few years. If you know you want to make a change, the question to ask in an interview with Human Resources, NOT the hiring manager, is this:” If in the future, I decide I would like to train in another specialty area, does your facility offer residency programs or internships for your experienced nurses?” The answer you want to hear is obviously, “Yes”. If the answer is no, this is not the facility for you.

I am moving to a new state, how do I get my nursing license there?

All you need to do is Google the state you are moving to and nursing license application. That state’s board of nursing should appear. You will be able to print out the application and mail it in. Some states will issues a license in as little as 2 weeks. We have seen others take up to two months. Start this process as soon as you know you are moving.

What are the Compact States?

As of September 2011, the following states are considered Nurse Licensure States.

AZ, AR, CO, DE, ID, IA, KY, ME, MD, MO, MS, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI

If you live in one of these states, your license will allow you to work in any of these other states listed above.

I get calls from recruiters all the time. I never talk to them. Should I?

If you are looking for a new position, and you know what you are looking for, talking to a recruiter can be very helpful. If you only want a Travel Position, say so right up front and make sure you are talking to a recruiter who has travel positions. If you would like a permanent position, ask the recruiter, what he or she is working on to see if there is a match for you. Working with too many recruiters can be confusing for everyone, so proceed cautiously. Knowing what you want or what information you want is the most helpful to recruiters.

How do I know which recruiter to work with?

Recruiting is not rocket science. It is about personality, honesty, and efficiency. If you like the personality of the recruiter you are speaking with and you feel he or she has your best interest at heart, that is a good start. Ask for honesty. You shouldn’t have to, but you do. Ask them who they have contracts with directly. Are they contingent contracts, meaning do they get a fee per placement? Is the recruiter working on a retainer? The fee is paid in increments regardless of placement? Or, are they contracting or working hand in hand with the facility? Retained and contract recruiters usually have a more solid process in place with human resources, but that doesn’t mean the contingent recruiter cannot get you what you want. Ask how many placement they have made with that client and how long they have been working with the client. Trust your instincts.

I have never had a resume or my resume looks horrible, can someone help me with this?

Absolutely, Nursing Resumes are among the easiest to create. You don’t need as much detail as you think. Nurse Managers are reading your resume. They know what an ICU nurse does. What they want to know is how many beds does your unit have, what was the nurse to patient ratio, did you ever work charge, what level of acuity are you accustomed to working with? One thing that nurses neglect to include on their resume is a detailed Objective. If you want to avoid calls from recruiters who do not have what you are looking for, be as specific as possible. For example:RN with 15 years of Med/Surg experience seeks Med/Surg position for Day shift only in the New Orleans area. If you would like personal, complimentary assistance creating your resume, please feel free to email what you have to us and we will create a resume for you.

I applied directly for a position with a hospital and I never heard anything. I am a five year oncology night nurse. I am surprised by this. What should I do?

Pick up the phone and call the hospital directly. Ask for the nurse recruiter and they will transfer you immediately. If he or she picks up, just explain that you want to make sure that your application has been received and perhaps discuss the possibility of coming in for an interview. Leave the same message if the recruiter does not pick up.

What is the best advice you have for a New Graduate RN?

You should be researching facilities you are interested in working prior to your Senior year. If there is one particular facility you want to work in, arrange to have your Senior Practicum there. Do clinicals where you want to work. Make an impression. If you want to be an ED Nurse, you should complete your Senior Practicum/Capstone in an ED. In most cases, you will not be considered otherwise. This goes for Labor and Delivery, Post Partum, ICU, CCU, and Pediatrics as well. If you are really on the ball, call the manager of the unit you want to work on in the facility you want to work and ask him or her how many New Grads they will hire this year. Explain that you really want to be strategic as to where you do your Practicum and that this facility is your first choice, but if they are not hiring new grads this year, it would be detrimental for you. Choose your facility. Call the manager and discuss the probability of New Grad hires for that year. Continue on until you find a facility this is hiring New Graduates in your area and set up your Senior Practicum there. You may be thinking, “easier said than done.” What we say to that is, “Early bird catches the worm”. If you cannot find a facility hiring in your area, you can consider relocation if it is that important to you, otherwise a Practicum in a Med/Surg area seems to be the most versatile.