Moving to Lansing area in a few months...

Thanks so much for responding!

I have not yet accepted a position.
I am sending out resumes and Sparrow was the first to call and have me come for an interview.
We aren't moving for my nursing career, we are moving to the area because our children are INCREDIBLY active with horses and now other animals have entered the picture. We have vacationed in Michigan several times a year for several years and just love it there. We have met alot of really nice people and made some new friends.
Horse property is just not as affordable here as it is there. The taxes along with the price of a house with land and barn would kill us here. MI is very similar to NY as far as weather goes and it seems that the areas we have visited are full of activities for families.

As far as what I think a great place is - teamwork, ethics, pride, patient care (the list goes on).
I love what I do now - I am crazy busy for 12 hours (sometimes longer) for 3 days a week and I can't imagine my life any less insane. The days go by quickly and I am learning something new all of the time. The doctors are, as a rule, very willing to answer questions and work with the nurses. I feel that everyone who works on our floor respects each other and I have never been afraid to ask for help because folks are always there with a hand.
Even our nurse manager works as a floor nurse once in a while. We do special things for patients to celebrate holidays and special occasions.
I guess the best way to sum it up is that my floor has a family feel.
I am hoping to find something like this again.

I definitely have a strong interest in Women's Health/Oncology.
I am going to go for my BSN first, then the MSN.
It is my hope that my next job is my 'home' and that I will retire from that job in 20 or so years.
Sparrow had a position open in their women's pavilion that sounded really nice, but I want to do some shadowing first before I do anything else. They offered me a package much better than the one I currently have here in NY. But all the money in the world isn't going to attract me to a job I am not comfortable with taking.
So, I am looking at Sparrow, Ingham, and a few others. It doesn't have to be Lansing. Within an hour drive is acceptable.

I am definitely open for suggestions & I truly appreciate your help!!

Good Morning, All!!

I am SO appreciating all of your help!
We are currently looking at a home in Dewitt but haven't set our hearts on it.
I have another interview next week at Sparrow - the person I originally interviewed with is no longer there and I am going in to meet with the new recruiter. My understanding is that things (employment-wise) have really changed since my first interview!!
Since my move will not be happening until at least May, my hope is to have a position lined up beforehand.
I am also looking at Ingham. I have heard good things from a couple of people who work there.

Seems like as much as there is a nursing shortage - it's difficult to get a job anywhere. Our floor has lost a couple of nurses recently, but is not looking to replace them. I was the last RN to be hired on the floor since July. It is tough out there, but it will get better - we all just have to hang in there!