I really would just like to vent. So I moved from CA to Florida beginning of the year because my husband is in the U.S. Navy. We have spent 3 years apart so I could finish nursing school, and moved as soon as I was done. I had missed new grad programs during my transition so I decided to work in long term care for a little bit (5 months). I decided to apply again to a residency program at a reputable hospital even though I was close to passing my 1 year post-grad. Weeks had passed and I no longer was expecting to get a call for an interview. So since my husband was deploying, I planned to come back to CA and work in LTC through an agency and save up money.
Well the same weekend my husband left for a deployment, I was invited to interview which went really well! I was offered the job which I thought about overnight and then accepted.
However, I initially hesitated due to low rate, they offered me same rate I was receiving at LTC which was supposedly non-negotioable. But I was able to raise a dollar due to CNA and medtech experience. Plus when I get my BSN I'll get another dollar.
However, the other major hesitation came from the 2 year contract. Overall I would have to commit to 3 years. My parents are happy for me, but my in-laws and friends were sad and disappointed about being away for that much longer. My friends especially thought of it as modern day enslavement, like an indentured servant.
My friends are not in the healthcare industry and I should have known that they weren't going to understand. As for my husband, I haven't been able to talk to him yet since he's deployed but I bet he could relate since I'm sure he got the same reaction when he joined the navy.
I see it as taking a step forward in growing as the nurse I always pictured myself to be.
PJishere- Congrats on the new job and great for your for doing what it takes to get your degree! ❤️ My first job was in a Dialysis facility that I worked at during nursing school. After a couple months I was hired into a residency program at a local hospital that required a 1 year contract and after my 2nd year I moved to another county and took a job at a different hospital that requires a 2 year contract. I at first was hesitant to take the job because I don't dream of living in this area long term but I ended up taking it because I had a greater chance of getting into critical care there then if I had gone back to a guaranteed job in dialysis.
Use this job as a stepping stone to get what you want and where you want. If you dream of labor and delivery or critical care or neurosciences or care management, use the job to help you get there. Be a forever sponge, continue learning and striving to be better. What I would do when your contract is near done is apply for a position on a military base or get in at the VA so that when your husband is relocated you can be relocated to and get more government benefits when you both retire.
Also if your husband is stationed elsewhere when he gets back and you need to relocate with him there should be a clause in the contract for that. Check your hospital policies, both hospitals I've worked in have that in their policies. No retribution because of it.
Good luck!
Thank you for the encouraging words! I am still hesitant only because I've never done anything like this before. I can't imagine settling down in Florida but it would be nice to get established there for a few years and see where my career takes me. I aim to explore other specialties during my residency before I completely adopt any specialty. I want to get out of my comfort zone.
Nobody likes the idea of signing a contract. Neither am I. But between my husband and I, we both agree that I might as well take this opportunity for the time we will be in Florida.
PJishere
36 Posts
Thank you for the encouraging words! I am still hesitant only because I've never done anything like this before. I can't imagine settling down in Florida but it would be nice to get established there for a few years and see where my career takes me. I aim to explore other specialties during my residency before I completely adopt any specialty. I want to get out of my comfort zone.
Nobody likes the idea of signing a contract. Neither am I. But between my husband and I, we both agree that I might as well take this opportunity for the time we will be in Florida.