Need advice from experienced nurses...

jojotoo, RN · Jun 18, 2007

It usually works out best for you if you get your initial license in the state you went to school in. Are either NJ or NY Compact states?

About to graduate, start a new career, move away from home, those sound like a lot of stressors for one time. Maybe not TOO many, but a lot.

Budgets are being cut everywhere, so don't let the anticipation of a heavy assignment deter you

Where would you get the best orientation? I would think that would be the deal maker or breaker. No overtime available in the NJ hospital? HA! I bet that doesn't last long. Where ever you decide, you could always work agency a couple of times a month for extra money.

Good luck with yor decision.

danielleRN76 · Jun 18, 2007

Employee morale is a big plus. If you want to be in NYC eventually anyway, I would start there, that way you won't have to deal with all the changing state licenses and everything. I think a hopsital's reputation is a big deciding figure. You want to be in a happy, safe environment when you are first growing in your new role. Just my .02.$

Best of Luck!

anonymurse · Jun 18, 2007

Here is my other option: ever since starting nursing school, I have wanted to work in NYC at a well known hospital with a good reputation. It would bring me closer to my boyfriend (please, do not see this as the reason for me wanting to go there, I wanted NYC before I even knew he existed), and I would be living on my own in a city I have always wanted to live in. The pay is better, but would probably balance out with the NJ hospital pay because I would have to contribute some of my income to rent and general cost of living.

OK, now here's what an old Dad sees above: that you are contemplating going to a strange (to you) place where you have no support net and where you will be dependent on someone else for a place to stay, someone who, whether just a roomie or your BF, has made no commitment to see to your welfare. Well I would say however long it takes, get yourself up on your own two feet before you go somewhere, because you just might have to walk away on your own. That hospital in NY isn't going anywhere. You could save up in NJ until you have your own everything, then take the plunge out of strength, not vulnerability. Then if it doesn't work out with your BF or roomie, you can get a place on your own and make NY work out for you if you like it enough to stay. Take a little time to stack the deck so you can always do what you want, not what circumstances or others dictate.

leslie :-D · Jun 18, 2007

there's much to be said about a toxic work environment (nj);

facilities with good reputations are a big plus (ny).

don't undermine the power of the grapevine.

me personally?

i'd go to nyc....the hosp didn't build its' reputation on 1 thing alone.

it sounds like it knows how to treat its' nurses.

best of everything to you.

leslie

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2007

If I were young and didn't have children and a husband to consider, I'd jump at NYC. It's a once in a lifetime experience. Do it while you are young and have fun while reaping the benefits of all that a top city hospital can offer. Plus, you can always further your education with all the Universities right there. (Columbia has an excellent rep, as does NYU...)

I'd go for it.

Blee

I am almost done with nursing school and am at the point where I am beginning to explore job opportunities. Right now, I am literally torn between two states. I live in NJ and have been working as an aide for 2 years at an excellent hospital. If there is a job opening on the floor where I currently work, I would have a very good chance of getting the job. I know the staff well, am familiar with how certain things are run, and know that I would most likely not experience the "nurses eat their young" terror that I hear about. My downfall for this is that it would require me to continue living at home for a while and because of budget cuts, I would not be able to work the overtime I had hoped to earn more money. Also, this particular floor is known to have heavy assignments and lately the nurses have been more run down and stressed than when I first started there. This is a result of staff cuts which is a result of the budget cut. I know what I would be getting myself into, and I don't want to burn out in the beginning of my nursing career. I would take a position on either of the other two floors of this type of nursing (oncology) as well, but right now there are no job openings listed for any of these units, although they don't always post positions right away. If there are no job openings then my problem is solved, but if there are, things become complicated for me.
Here is my other option: ever since starting nursing school, I have wanted to work in NYC at a well known hospital with a good reputation. It would bring me closer to my boyfriend (please, do not see this as the reason for me wanting to go there, I wanted NYC before I even knew he existed), and I would be living on my own in a city I have always wanted to live in. The pay is better, but would probably balance out with the NJ hospital pay because I would have to contribute some of my income to rent and general cost of living. The unit where I want to work in this hospital has a good reputation, and a nurse who I know through a friend that works there is extremely happy working on this unit.
Now, here's where it gets tricky. If I were to work at the NJ hospital, I would only do so for 6 months and then I would be able to transfer to the NY hospital without breaking my contract. Does it look bad to potential employers if I was only at my first job for 6 months before I transferred? Then there is the question of which state should I get my license in? I know its not difficult to apply for a license in NJ if I get the NY license initially, but I would rather save my money if I knew where I was going. If I were to go straight to NY, I would start applying for those positions by the end of July/early August (I graduate end of august). If I go for the NJ hospital, I would wait until September because that is when they would more likely know if they had a position for me. I have tried talking to my parents and sister about this, but I need more of a nurses opinion on my situation. My boyfriend and family supports my choice either way, which definately helps. I would appreciate any feedback on this, it has been driving me nuts for months.

ChocoholicRN · Jun 18, 2007

OK, now here's what an old Dad sees above: that you are contemplating going to a strange (to you) place where you have no support net and where you will be dependent on someone else for a place to stay, someone who, whether just a roomie or your BF, has made no commitment to see to your welfare. Well I would say however long it takes, get yourself up on your own two feet before you go somewhere, because you just might have to walk away on your own. That hospital in NY isn't going anywhere. You could save up in NJ until you have your own everything, then take the plunge out of strength, not vulnerability. Then if it doesn't work out with your BF or roomie, you can get a place on your own and make NY work out for you if you like it enough to stay. Take a little time to stack the deck so you can always do what you want, not what circumstances or others dictate.

I appreciate the responses so far, everyone has been helpful. I understand your concern from a father's POV, but thats why I came here, to allnurses.com, to get the POV through the eyes of a nurse. My dad already told me how he feels but will support me with whatever I choose to do. NY is far from a strange place to me, I have most of my friends and my boyfriend there, and I am there most weekends and the city is no strange place to me. This boyfriend is someone who I know I will be spending the rest of my life with, this matter has already been discussed. I will be living with him while looking for my own place and will pay very little rent while I live at his apartment. The hospital may always be there, but the position may not. After some contemplation, I realized I would rather start off at the hospital in NY, even if its not in the unit that I want initially, and eventually transfer to an oncology unit which is where I want to work. It would be easier to transfer within the hospital to another unit than to transfer from one hospital in one state to another hospital in another state. I can definately see where you're coming from, from a father's POV, but what I came here seeking was a nurses POV. Again, thank you everyone for your feedback so far.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 19, 2007

I appreciate the responses so far, everyone has been helpful. I understand your concern from a father's POV, but thats why I came here, to allnurses.com, to get the POV through the eyes of a nurse. My dad already told me how he feels but will support me with whatever I choose to do. NY is far from a strange place to me, I have most of my friends and my boyfriend there, and I am there most weekends and the city is no strange place to me. This boyfriend is someone who I know I will be spending the rest of my life with, this matter has already been discussed. I will be living with him while looking for my own place and will pay very little rent while I live at his apartment. The hospital may always be there, but the position may not. After some contemplation, I realized I would rather start off at the hospital in NY, even if its not in the unit that I want initially, and eventually transfer to an oncology unit which is where I want to work. It would be easier to transfer within the hospital to another unit than to transfer from one hospital in one state to another hospital in another state. I can definately see where you're coming from, from a father's POV, but what I came here seeking was a nurses POV. Again, thank you everyone for your feedback so far.

As a former administrator, I'd be very leery of someone who left the job after only six months. They gave you orientation and broke you in - at cost to them and then you just use that training to go somewhere else. NYC will always be there. Reputations are often WRONG! Unless you're in your 40's you'll always have time to move into the city but its always less stressful if you bring loads of cash!

zozzy777 · Jun 19, 2007

I just spent 8 months as a traveler in NYC and I say go for it!! You will have blast!! Every job will have it's good and it's bad no matter where you decide to work. That is just how it is. I am sure living in NJ you have been to the city many times. But living there is such a different experience. One I wouldn't trade for anything! If it wasn't for graduate school in Ohio, I would have stayed in NYC. Best of wishes to you!! P.S. Which hospital are you looking to go to?

ChocoholicRN · Jun 19, 2007

I just spent 8 months as a traveler in NYC and I say go for it!! You will have blast!! Every job will have it's good and it's bad no matter where you decide to work. That is just how it is. I am sure living in NJ you have been to the city many times. But living there is such a different experience. One I wouldn't trade for anything! If it wasn't for graduate school in Ohio, I would have stayed in NYC. Best of wishes to you!! P.S. Which hospital are you looking to go to?

My first choice is anything under the NY presbyterian (sp?) umbrella of hospitals. They have so many and they're all great. They also have amazing housing availble for their employees and its right by the Weill-Cornell hospital on the upper east side. My friend who is an ER nurse there lives in these apartments, and her apartment is almost a steal for what she's paying and the size of it! I've made up my mind to just go for NYC. As subee said earlier, it looks bad if you transfer after being at your first job for only 6 months, and I don't want to stay at this NJ hospital for longer than that. So, let the application process begin!! Any pointers in that area? Thanks for the help so far!

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2007

My first choice is anything under the NY presbyterian (sp?) umbrella of hospitals. They have so many and they're all great. They also have amazing housing availble for their employees and its right by the Weill-Cornell hospital on the upper east side. My friend who is an ER nurse there lives in these apartments, and her apartment is almost a steal for what she's paying and the size of it! I've made up my mind to just go for NYC. As subee said earlier, it looks bad if you transfer after being at your first job for only 6 months, and I don't want to stay at this NJ hospital for longer than that. So, let the application process begin!! Any pointers in that area? Thanks for the help so far!

I know you've allready made up your mind, but for what its worth, I say go to NY right off the bat.. you wont regret it.

I have heard that hospitals have "housing".. but what does that mean, exactly? Hospital owned buildings that rent to the employees? Are they discounted? How does it work exactly, are all nurses eligible? I am very curious about this......

zozzy777 · Jun 20, 2007

I worked at Columbia Presbyterian in the CTICU and Neuro ICU. It is a great hospital. They too have housing but there are waiting lists for it. Anyone who works at the hospital is eligible. My friend lives 2 blocks from the hospital has a junior one bedroom any pays 800$. It's a good deal. Although, I would not want to live near Columbia because of the area. Some people do though and don't seem to mind. Cornell obviously is in a much nicer area so you would be in a much safer area. I don't know what area you are looking to work in, but stay away from NYC ER's. Their nurse to patient ratio is VERY high and staffing is very dangerous. Just a suggestion. Good luck! You are going to have a blast!!!:balloons: