Decisions, decisions

Seaofclouds, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2019

You are the only one that can really decide which one is going to be best for your situation. I would look at pay, benefits, staffing ratios, scheduling, weather issues (such as having to drive that hour is snow storms/hurricanes/etc), and the wear/tear on your vehicle. I have done short drives and long drives (and some in between). I'm at a point now where I have no desire to ever do a long drive to work again.

Being a nurse has some great advantages when it comes to job portability related to military moves. My husband just retired after 22 years. I was always able to find a job where ever we went, but sometimes it wasn't the job I really wants. We've been in places where the area was saturated with nurses and areas that were in desperate need of nurses. Good luck with your move and which ever position you choose!

dream'n, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2019

I wouldn't spend 2 hours a day traveling to and from work. Nope, no way. At this stage of my career it wouldn't be worth it for me physically, mentally, or financially.

River&MountainRN, ADN, RN · Jan 17, 2019

I really have to "second" Seaofclouds' response regarding considering "the whole package" of what each offers before deciding. Personally, I'd have immediately written off the longest commute, however, for the weather and wear-and-tear issues. Now that you're down to the two closest jobs, neither commute is really *that* bad. So it has to come down to which has the best compensation and which you'd believe to be the best fit.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 17, 2019

17 hours ago, ngiam12 said:
AN friends! I need y’alls opinions. I’m dating a guy in the army. We’ve been dating long distance but I’m going to be moving in with him soon (hopefully, job willing). I’m currently working in a level 2 NICU by hoping with this move to maybe also move to higher acuity. My options for hospitals are:
Small regional hospital 15 minutes away, 16 bed level 3 that had 3 babies when I interviewed
Army hospital 35 minutes away
Large academic medical center 52 miles/1 hour away that is a level 4
Just trying to make the best career move while also making a good relationship move ? Next time I’ll have a little (very little) more control (ie when we PCS, hopefully we’ll choose to live somewhere near a hospital). I can’t ask boyfriend to move (closer to big hospital but equidistant to work) because he owns his house and that seems silly.
opinions please ?
AddThis Sharing Buttons
Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Pinterest Share to LinkedIn Share to More

I would avoid the Army hospital if possible. Unless it's one of the big, famous Army hospitals, you won't get the acuity and you won't learn as much there. They transfer their sickest patients out -- probably to the large academic medical center 52 miles away. So if it's acuity you want, I'd go there.

While I know that the military requires it's members to live a certain distance from the Base, it's possible to live 30 minutes (or however many) closer to the big hospital. Another thought is to schedule your 12s together, and stay with a co-worker or rent a room for the days you're working and then go home to your boyfriend after your stretch.

If the large academic medical center is absolutely not an option, I'd pick the small community hospital 15 minutes away.

But that's just me. Your milage may vary.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2019

What does a level 4 mean in your state? Is the highest acuity, or the lowest?

https://www.amtrauma.org/page/traumalevels

AxelNewRN86 · Jan 19, 2019

As a new nurse, I would do the commute to the larger hospital. I have worked at smaller hospitals and recently started at a larger hospital. There is just more opportunity. However, you have already been working a speciality, so you don't really need that experience. Thus if you plan on staying in NICU and they have NICU closer to home, I would go with that. Because like other people said the commute is hard.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 19, 2019

15 hours ago, missmollie said:
What does a level 4 mean in your state? Is the highest acuity, or the lowest?
https://www.amtrauma.org/page/traumalevels

I think she was saying it was a Level 4 NICU, not a Level 4 trauma center. NICU designation is backwards from trauma designations. ?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 19, 2019

On 1/16/2019 at 10:42 PM, ngiam12 said:
AN friends! I need y’alls opinions. I’m dating a guy in the army. We’ve been dating long distance but I’m going to be moving in with him soon (hopefully, job willing). I’m currently working in a level 2 NICU by hoping with this move to maybe also move to higher acuity. My options for hospitals are:
Small regional hospital 15 minutes away, 16 bed level 3 that had 3 babies when I interviewed
Army hospital 35 minutes away
Large academic medical center 52 miles/1 hour away that is a level 4
Just trying to make the best career move while also making a good relationship move ? Next time I’ll have a little (very little) more control (ie when we PCS, hopefully we’ll choose to live somewhere near a hospital). I can’t ask boyfriend to move (closer to big hospital but equidistant to work) because he owns his house and that seems silly.
opinions please ?
AddThis Sharing Buttons
Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Pinterest Share to LinkedIn Share to More

OP, if you think you might end up marrying this person and PCSing with them all over, the Army hospital might be a good idea. Once you get into the GS system, it will be easier for you to find a job no matter where you move. Typically the Army civilians make excellent pay and the benefits are nearly unbeatable (paid holidays even if you don't work? Yes please!). Ruby Vee is correct about acuity, but you will always be busy because Army families tend to reproduce a lot. ? Good luck!

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 19, 2019

What are your goals? I have to admit, I’d think really hard about the Level 4. Give me vents all day long please.