Opinion on moving after a few years of med/surg

[sameasalways, ASN, RN]

I am going to move to Virginia this summer and have been looking at job openings there. I have been working on a post-op floor for since Sept '09. I took the job because it was the only opening at the hospital, I needed med/surg experience, and I got hired. Now that I am moving 3 hours away from where I am and in to a different state, I was wondering what type of nursing jobs I should look in to? I believe the job market is tough, so I am unsure if I will have to be relegated automatically to another med/surg position to start with. I love women's health/post-partum/breastfeeding/public health but I had shadowed and been floated to ICU a few times (taking care of non-ventilated patients only) which I really enjoyed as well. I really would love to get away from 12 hour shifts but I fear this is unrealistic. (both of my kids will be in high school this coming fall and I wish I could be home in the evenings for them). I guess I am asking if you were moving and only had med/surg experience, would you just apply for another med/surg position at a different hospital so that you could get a foot in the job market and then look to other areas of work? I feel like my job is very task-oriented for the most part and after being there for 3 years I just feel blah. I am definitely interested in furthering my education if there is any financial way to do that. (I only have an associates degree).

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Moving is a great opportunity to try to get into another specialty. I'd just apply where you are most interested first, and see if you get a response.

If you want to get away from 12 hours shifts, you're best options are probably to look outside the acute care setting into community health, home health, hospice, outpatient clinics, doctor's offices, and outpatient surgery centers.

If you are interested in furthering your education, try to find some RN to BSN programs in the area you'll be living and compare prices. Some hospitals even offer tuition assistance in exchange for a certain length of hire. A BSN will open up more opportunities outside the hospital settings.

[sameasalways, ASN, RN]

Thanks so much Ashley!