Internal transfer vs Relocation

[KPRN2011]

Hi everyone!!

I've come to this site since I was in college for advice, but this is my first post.

I stepped out of college and landed a position on a step down in a highly acclaimed academic teaching hospital in MA on my graduation day. I was extremely lucky and am very grateful for the opportunity. I have been there for almost 2 years now. I have dreams of going to grad school, but the CRNA programs I'm looking at won't take my step-down floor as consideration. Meanwhile, I've always had dreams of traveling, as I went to college in the same state as I grew up in.

On a whim, I started sending out applications to other academic hospitals, and landed not one but two ICU position interviews in NC. I am conflicted because on the one hand the hospital in NC is asking me to take a major (1/3 my current salary) pay cut, but I can't help but be intrigued by the opportunity. My question is if any one has experience on making this transition, and if taking a temporary pay cut would ultimately be worth the progression of my career. Or, if I should stay and attempt to apply internally at the hospital I am currently at, as I still have a large sum of student loans to pay.

Any insight would be appreciated!! Thank you!!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I think you should try to negotiate an internal transfer with your current employer. It seems that you are satisfied with the working conditions & salary - not a good idea to give them up for an unknown outcome. Since you are planning on continuing your education, you should probably focus on paying down your current student loan obligations before accruing more of them for your graduate education & that salary cut would probably have a significant impact on your ability to do this. It is usually impossible to work while in a CRNA program.

There will be plenty of opportunity to travel in the future. In fact, once you have ICU experience there will be even more opportunities - particularly if you obtain your CCRN certification.