How did you deal with the stress of an out of state move?

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Hi all,

I am strongly leaning towards moving out of state at this point , as I feel my career is at a stand still living in the northeast. I may be heading to the state of Ohio, where my brother lives in hopes of having better luck with the job search.

I am just wondering how others have dealt with the stress of the "unknown"? I would love to hear positive stories about moving out of state for a job and it being a positive experience.

I am just nervous because I will have to sell my condo and probably rent something temporarily in Ohio until I establish myself and make sure it is where I want to be.

Thanks,

Annie

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I moved 400 miles, but I had a job lined up and a supportive husband. Is it possible to apply to some jobs in that area, using your brothers address and then fly out for interviews and get a feel for the area? I highly recommend that over moving blindly to an area with no job.

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Specializes in Medicine.

Good luck! I moved to Boston 2 weeks after accepting a job offer and didn't know anyone in the entire northeast. It was really scary but I think it can teach you a lot about yourself and I think I'm definitely a stronger person because of it. I stayed in a hotel with my dog and cat for a week while I looked for a place to live and then rented a place for a little while. It helped to have a good work support system once I started and it was a blast to explore the city and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I'm from Ohio and would love to go back at some point. I hope it goes well if you end up doing it!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Just try it a few times, and you'll grow to like it. I promice.

We once moved from Midwest to London, England on a short note and with baby still on oxygen. Then, just back, to the deep, deep South, being given full 72 hours to pack and get going. It was just so cool. New people, new food, new view from my window, new friends, new everything. My kiddo still speaks Southern when she wants:) Can't wait to for some new big change after I finish my school.

Just think about it. New things you never saw. A shop with a dress you never imagine, made just like personally for you. A quaint town with an old street cafe. Amish restaurants (mmmmm....good! Don't miss them.). Archeological cites. A bird you never saw before, chirping in your window. Dangelion wine (I could not believe my eyes when I saw it.... Ray Bradbury comes alive and real!)

It is not as great as immigration, though. But still, it is a good and real adventure!

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I moved across the country for 2.5 years and got excellent experience. Just go for it. Enjoy the experience.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I moved 1,400+ miles from coastal southern California to North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area) in 2005. I sold my house in CA four months prior to the relocation and kept my possessions in storage during that time.

Things worked out. The move was exciting for me because I was 24 years old and had never lived outside my home state. Thus, I viewed it as an adventure.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Thank you everyone for the positive thoughts!! I am much less terrified of the idea and I know it would be good for me to branch out! I will is my current state and may eventually return, but I am stagnant as I said in my OP.

I can't move until I sell my condominium and I have obtained a NICU job. I talked to a recruiter today at Rainbows Babies... and he was very nice and told me to email him when I applied. He is hoping I can meet with the nurse managers from a couple of units when I go visit my brother in April.

Annie

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You either enjoy change or worry over it. Either way.. you have to do it.

I was a traveler/agency nurse for 5 years. Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Kaiser in Honolulu. A little nerve wracking yes... but an experience I will always remember.

You will come out stronger ... I promise.

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

It's one of those life events that causes the most stress... I have moved probably more 30 times, across country, ocean, city... you name it. I get stressed out every time. We are moving across country this year. So, to get myself geared up, I look for activities to get myself and the kids involved in to make the transition easier. I look for places I want to visit on weekend getaways. Get out there, get outside, and start building your new tribe. Working as a nurse, especially in a hospital, makes it a bit easier to meet people (and this is an introvert talking) You'll be ok :-)

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Im going through the process now moving from overcrowded south Florida to Springfield Illinois. I was flown up to get a feel for the town and it is like noght and day almost. But thats part of what makes it exciting. The fact Im also going from living with my parents to being on my own in a state with no family or friends is terrifying. But as the others have stated before. Having to accept and face the challenges teaches you a lot about yourself. Best way I deal with it is make a list of everything you have to do before and while you're there. I started with getting my RN license in the other statw. Now its grown a mile long with everything from finding out local cable providers and how utilities are delt with to figuring out how to moved my car with what little I do have. Having family who knows the area will help tramendously though!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I embrace change, probably because I grew up as a military brat which meant living overseas and moving around. I get antsy if I live in one place too long! So recently we were waiting for the hubby to get accepted to his top choice of med school, and I decided to go ahead and apply in that city for jobs I wanted if I saw any. And since we're moving to an area of the state that I call "Hospitalville," you can bet I saw some jobs! I think I had five applications in at one point, lol. Three offers later and after the husband got his acceptance, I landed what can only be described as my dream job and we're moving in about a month, though my husband doesn't start school until August. YIKES, we need to start packing and then we have to find someone to rent our home, hopefully quickly! Did I mention that I love change?!

Good luck to you in your wanderings!!

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Specializes in ICU.

Finding new people helps. I highly recommend checking out meetup.com once you get to your destination.

I did not have a fabulous experience relocating, but I moved to an area that was totally incompatible with my personality just to get that magic first year of experience out of school. I still managed to enjoy my coworkers, and I learned a lot, but I couldn't have picked a worse place for myself if I'd tried. I distinctly remember thinking when I applied for that job that it was in the worst city I'd ever heard about and it sounded like a terribly isolated place to live with nothing to do, and that I really hoped I'd get hired somewhere else.

Just don't move somewhere you know you're going to hate! That's the best advice I can give.

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