Beginning Last Semester - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I'm in dire need of advice. I'm at that crucial point in my nursing program where I'm beginning my last semester in August, and I'm trying to figure everything out. My area of interest and only passions are eating disorders, but I've also come to like neuro/trauma icu. My boyfriend and I are moving to Colorado when our leases are up in January 2015. Let me clarify I'm not moving there for him, or vice versa. We both happened to want to move there well before we knew each other.

Anyway, as of now there are several new grad nursing programs I can apply to; one of which I can't apply to until after I pass the NCLEX (January time period). The others don't begin the program start date until March. So as you can see, I won't know until we have already moved. That's stressful enough. He has a locked in job (not medical field), but I do not. I'm thinking about working in an area outside of medical while I wait for a response from the programs (as I cannot have any RN experience to get into the programs).

The other side to my problem is that I do not have a sure thing out there, but I recently finished a summer externship at my college's associated hospital here in Missouri, and I have made a good impression on them. They have continually asked me to apply to that NTICU after I graduate. That would mean an extra year and half in a state we both don't want to be in, and he won't have an opportunity for moving up here. My boyfriend and I are strongly set on moving, but I'm not sure which would be the best option.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Dear Should I Stay or Should I Go,

I would go-move to Colorado. The reasons are:

• You want to live in Colorado
  
• Your boyfriend wants to live in Colorado
  
• There are several new grad programs in Colorado
  
• You don't want to live in Missouri
  
• Your boyfriend doesn't want to live in Missouri
  

The only reason you offer to stay is:

• You have made a favorable impression in a Missouri hospital
  
• You feel that you have more of a sure thing job-wise in Missouri than Colorado
  

It also sounds like you and your boyfriend would be together in Colorado. It sounds like you are overwhelmingly in favor of moving. And all for good reason.

Best Wishes,

Nurse Beth

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

I'd suggest you read some threads on here... The Colorado market for new grads is terrible. You pretty much have to go wherever you can find a job these days.

[gidgetdcb]

Is it hard to find positions with an ADN, even with a year experience? Must you have a BSN? I'm a new grad and will be working towards this educational goal within a year or two, but want to get my feet wet on the floor first before pursuing my BSN. I also have intentions on moving to Colorado...

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

I'm not in Colorado, I only know what I've read on these boards. From what I've read, hospitals in the Denver area are very set on nurses having a BSN. I'd recommend checking out the Colorado nursing forum here on allnurses and see what you find.