[SkateBetty]

I am planning to move in the next year, and have not yet settled on a location, although I have criteria in mind, such as which employer I choose, what the climate of the region is, cost of living, etc. My question is, do you love your health system (employer), and are you in for the long-haul? I need to choose an employer that I could stick with for a long time, like 20 years, and then retire. If you consider yourself permanently placed, what makes your health system worth staying with until you retire?

[JBudd]

I am on my second employment with my hospital (left 3 years while DH went for grad degree). I'm in it for the long haul because this is my home, not the other way around. I initially moved here for the job, but I was young, single, and the area had things I wanted. I could easily have moved on if needed. Having gotten married, had kids, established a life here, now I am here for good. My hospital had problems, which we worked on through the union, and is now a much better place.

I would look at the community and what life is like as hard as possible, because life is far more than work

[Ruby Vee]

I'm in it for the long haul. My employer has good benefits including tuition reimbursement for my S/D's college education and a good retirement plan. Once I retire, though, I'm leaving the area -- this isn't home. We moved here for S/D.

[TazziRN]

I'm staying. When I hired on here it was with the intention of "resting" for a year or two, then going back to the big leagues. Uh-uh. I see the same stuff I did at the other place, but without the volume and without the politics. This place has politics too, but nothing like the last place.

[niccikatie]

I plan on staying for at least four years. I may return to staying at home if I have a nother child, but will be with this company for at least four years. After four years you are vested in their pension plan. That's an option that I don't want to miss out on. I also like the company I work for and the people that I work with. I enjoy my job, my patients and my doctors and our system is pretty darn organized and profitable.

[Tweety]

Been working 14 years for this hospital. To be honest with you, I know the grass isn't greener anywhere else, and I believe in their mission of serving the community regardless of their ability to pay. At this point in time, I'm maxed on salary wise, and would take a pay cut somewhere else. It's not that I'm overly in love with this place, but know the problems I have are experienced elsewhere in this community. I can't honestly say I'm in it for the long haul.

Good luck to you.

[Spidey's mom]

I'm not sure anymore.

I love the area. I like that our little rural hospital tries very hard to reach out to the community.

But I've raised almost 3 children here (dd is 17) and I have a 5 year old and I'm getting a bit bored with my job.

However, my in-laws live here and are a huge and positive influence on our kids.

I dunno . . . .


steph

[humglum]

I consider myself permanently placed. One never knows what the future brings but, as of this moment, I can't see myself working anywhere else.
I *love* my job.

[SkateBetty]

Thanks for the replies so far! I am definitely going to check out the areas I'm interested over the next year by visiting each location/region. Does anybody who really likes their hospital system wish to say who it is (i/e Covenant Health, HCA, Berkshire Health Systems, etc.) so I can look into them for myself? Thanks!

[Altra]

To me, the "long haul" is much more about family, community & quality of life outside of work. A 159-year old hospital in my town will soon be absorbed into a larger health system ... I just don't think you can count on conditions with any employer remaining just they way you like it for the long haul.

If I were someone who was not rooted where I am with family & such, I would find a community with a lifestyle & cost of living that suits me.