Relocation as a Nurse: Everything You Should Know

• There are many aspects to consider if relocation is part of your nursing career strategy.  
• It is best to determine what type of location you would like to live in, then begin researching those areas and their nursing license requirements.  
• When interviewing for jobs requiring relocation, be transparent about the fact that you are not a local candidate.   

Are you thinking about relocating as a nurse? Whether you’re considering working at a hospital or clinic a few hours away or moving to a different state, finding a job in a new location as a nurse presents some challenges.  

How can you be sure the new location will be right for you? How do you determine what’s a good fit or not, if you can’t visit first? When I graduated nursing school, I was interested in relocating right away. I knew I wanted to experience a different area than I was in, and I knew it would be good for my professional and personal growth. I had never really been away from the area I grew up in, so I was ready for a huge change. I have some tips I would like to share with the nurse who might also be considering relocating. 

Figure out the Type of Location You Want to Live in

Do you prefer smaller, rural, close-knit communities? Or do you gravitate toward bigger, more heavily populated cities? Narrow your interests down to your top contenders. Recreational opportunities are an essential consideration for where you might live. Make sure your places of interest offer a way to enjoy yourself when you aren’t working. This is a necessary time to recharge and destress from the job, so choose an area that can fulfill your interests.  

Start Your Relocation Research

Once you have decided on a few areas you might like to relocate to, start searching online for information about the hospitals or clinics you might apply to. Check for details about their specialties, accomplishments, and what they are known for. The facility you’re interested in may also have a social media page that can provide even more. Reading patient and staff reviews is also beneficial in learning about the overall morale of a facility.

Also consider researching which states are the best and worst for the nursing profession. Some states offer better pay and advancement opportunities compared to others. Depending on your career goals, the state that will benefit you the most will vary from person to person. Focus on what you want to gain from relocating and go from there. Don’t forget to check the cost of living in your areas of interest. 

Familiarize Yourself with Nursing License Requirements

Will your current nurse license transfer if you move to another state? Do you have to meet additional requirements to be eligible to work in the new location? This is important to figure out, and you want to do it sooner rather than later. It could take one or two months to transfer your license and start working, so you must be prepared. From my experience, I had to get fingerprinted in the new state, fill out several forms, and pay additional licensing and application fees.  

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows nurses to transfer their licenses across state lines more easily. Several states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, but still be sure to check whether or not the state you’re interested in is included. 

Request the Interview Format You’ll Need

Once you have researched the facilities you’re interested in, sent in applications, and researched nurse licensing requirements, you will hopefully be contacted for an interview.

Is the position you applied for a few hours away, but you prefer to meet in person? Let the interviewer know. If the facility is nationwide, are they only offering virtual interviews? This is important information to gather. Even if the organization only conducts virtual interviews, you can request an exception. Remember that you need to cover travel costs independently, which can add up quickly. For this reason, only interview with organizations you are very interested in. You can also request a phone interview to learn more about the organization and see if you would like to proceed with an in-person interview. This will help keep job search costs down.   

Be Upfront During the Interview Process

Be sure the interviewer knows you are not a local candidate. This will prevent any confusion or misconceptions about when you would be able to start the position, if offered. If you cannot relocate for a few months, share that and be honest about your timeline. They may be able to wait for you or need to fill the position immediately. Being upfront about your situation will prevent you from wasting your time or theirs.  

Getting Settled in the New Location

Be patient with yourself as you make this adjustment. It’s a huge life change. If you are embarking on this new chapter alone, it may take a little longer to get accustomed to your new area, and you may get homesick for your previous location. 

Rest assured, relocating will provide many opportunities for career growth and personal growth, and although challenging, you made a critical decision that will benefit you all around. You can always move again if you don’t like your new environment. I encourage you to give it at least a year to see how you feel about it. The opportunities for nurses are endless, and no decision has to be set in stone if it no longer serves you.   

The Bottom Line

Relocating as a nurse comes with many challenges, but it can be the correct change if you can overcome them. Relocating will help you grow as a person and make you a well-rounded, experienced nursing professional. I have lived in the area I relocated to for almost nine years, and it has been of the best decisions I ever made for myself. To be honest, I wasn’tsure I liked it at first, but I gave it time. Now I call it home, at least for now. If you are interested in relocating as a nurse, I hope you found the tips in this article helpful, and I hope that if you choose to move, it will be as positive of an experience for you as it has been for me.  

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