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How to Relocate for a Degree Program

Moving means changing your regular address. People may opt to move to a different apartment or house in their current town, a new city, or a new country.

Approximately 40 million people in the United States moved each year, from 2015 to 2019. This number includes post-secondary students. Whether you’re enrolled in a diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree program, you may need to move to a new location to pursue your studies. Moving is a significant task, but using these steps can simplify the relocation process.

Register for a degree program

Choosing the right post-secondary program is a significant step. Your studies will determine whether you have the skills and knowledge needed to pursue your chosen career. You must find an undergraduate or graduate degree program that’s accredited and has an excellent reputation to ensure you impress potential employers.

Perhaps your long-term goal is to earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. To qualify for admission to an MSN program, you must have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), be a registered nurse (RN), and have one year of clinical experience working as an RN. You may relocate for an RN position that will enable you to complete this qualification so you can register in your MSN program.

Your career goals may also influence your program choice. MSN degree programs equip students to become nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners can specialize in several fields of medicine. They may opt to complete a family nurse practitioner specialty, an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner specialty, or a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialty. To do this, you must locate a degree program that offers those specialties. Your coursework may not be the only reason you move. For example, if you’re studying to earn an MSN degree, you can opt to complete your coursework through an online program. Part of your program does involve completing a practicum to gain clinical experience, and you may opt to relocate to complete your clinical experience hours at an advanced practice reputable professional institution.

Visit the area you’re moving to before you move.

Visiting the area you’re planning to move to will give you a sense of the area and help you identify factors that could influence your decision about where to live. You may want to find a place that’s within walking distance of a grocery store. You may also look for a property close to public transit but isn’t on a busy street. If you’re someone who enjoys studying in a library, you may prioritize finding a place to live that’s close to a public library. You can ensure you’re happy with your chosen location if you make a list of your priorities and spend time exploring the area before you move.