I can't find another nursing job

Emergent, RN · Nov 6, 2025

Just as an older, and wiser than I used to be woman, I wouldn't box myself in with a man I'm not married to. I'm not talking morality, but practicality.

What has your partner recommended? How far are you willing to commute? What sort of outpatient care are you interested in? A year and a half on med-surg is definitely noteworthy experience, and probably has been very educational for you. If you need the money, you'd better get a job though, unless your boyfriend is willing to pay all the bills by himself.

A year and a half on med-surg would qualify you for agency work, which would probably pay better and you can work less. Have you thought about that? Would your previous job let you work Per Diem, while you look around for something else? That might be an option to help you keep your head above water with your bills.

FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 8, 2025

I knew the first response would be "leave your partner".

What about a post from the other perspective. "My partner is trying to get a job after quitting without anything lined up. They want to move and I really love them and don't want to leave them, but I'm firmly rooted here for (insert reasons)”

So many nurses here treat relationships as disposable.

Emergent, RN · Nov 8, 2025

FiremedicMike said:

I knew the first response would be "leave your partner".

What about a post from the other perspective. "My partner is trying to get awo job after quitting without anything lined up. They want to move and I really love them and don't want to leave them, but I'm firmly rooted here for (insert reasons)”

So many nurses here treat relationships as disposable.

Valid points. Maybe these two should make a commitment to one another till 'death do us part'. My point is, without a marriage contract, there is less certainty of the relationship not being disposable.

LightMac10 · Nov 8, 2025

How far are you willing to commute? your hospital doesnt have an outpatient clinic you can switch to?

Emergent, RN · Nov 9, 2025

LightMac10 said:

How far are you willing to commute? your hospital doesnt have an outpatient clinic you can switch to?

I'm only hearing crickets here. 🙄

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Nov 10, 2025

Those outpatient/clinic jobs with a Mon-Fri day schedule are pretty hard to get anywhere even with experience. In small towns it can be very hard to get in to a position like that, there's just no openings unless somebody quits or retires. Despite the fact that those roles usually pay less than in the acute setting nurses want those jobs for the hours and predictable routine.

If relocating or a long commute is not an option you can consider you may need to accept a position that is not your ideal job until something that is opens up. There are a lot of options other than med-surg, you may find a different specialty suits you better. Then you can continue your search for your ideal job if you decide you still want to. It might then be easier to find that outpatient role if all those clinic/outpatient settings are affiliated with the area hospital anyway. Preference is usually given to internal hires and working for the hospital system will give you an advantage when those jobs do open up.

Even if there are other places you would like to apply that are not affiliated with the area hospital system getting a job is easier when you already have a job for some reason. Plus at some point you will need to work to afford life unless your partner can and is willing to support you indefinitely.

bluescoop, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2025

I work at an outpatient clinic that's hiring in the SF Bay Area. You can move here and we have lots of jobs here in a variety of fields if you want to move your boyfriend out here.