FRN2511

Thank you guys! I appreciate your input. I'm still trying to figure things out.

I am presently a flight nurse in another state. I have ER/ICU background. I have my CEN, BSN and numerous certifications. I really am considering moving to TN. I don't want another job as a flight nurse. I really want to go back to ER or even possibly teaching, management etc... I'm not really sure. Anyway, all of this rambling is because I have never moved out of state before. I plan to spend some time in the next year or so traveling to some of the areas that I am interested in (around Knoxville/ Chattanooga/Cleveland). I have some friends around the area. Unfortunately, none of them are in the healthcare field. They can give me advice on the areas, but not about the job market specifically that I am looking for. I don't really know how to go about doing this. Do I apply for a TN license first, then find a job, then move. I don't know how I would decide a job based on what I read online. I can't imagine driving down to TN to check out every area and hospital to make my decision. Does anyone have any good advice? Websites that let you know employee satisfaction? Everything that I find on the internet is junk. I don't feel comfortable applying to a lot of different places online, submitting my social security number and other private information. I really wish I could apply the old fashioned way. I absolutely will not move until I find a secure job that pays a decent wage. Are there hospitals that have a reputation as paying better than others? I worked very hard to get where I am at and I feel like I am going backwards. I don't want to lose any senority that I have established. Also, I know the job market is no better in TN they my home state and the pay rate is a lot less. (I am from up north). I understand the probability that I will be taking a huge paycut. Anyone who has ever moved, any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

P.S. Definately let them know what an amazing experience you had. I don't know what to tell you about whether it was the nursING or nursES, but the people you work with definately make a difference in the experience that you have. If you're not sure, see if you can job shadow again on a different day where there will most likely be different staff or even at another hospital. Not sure how this would all work since you're still in school. Find out if they have any intern or extern job opportunities. This would give you the education and the experience you need to do this job. NRP class is another must have. Hope this helps some.

I'm glad your experience was such a great one. I too, have had a similar experience lately. I am a flight nurse and part of my job includes getting clinical hours in all of the different critical care areas including the NICU. I have been a nurse for 8 years and worked in tele, ICU, ER and flight nursing. I was horrified to find out that I have to go to the NICU. I wanted no part of it. All I could picture was sick and dying babies and I cried at the thought of it. I know I see horrific traumas and medical situations, but in my mind it is a lot more accepting to see that in an adult rather than a baby. Anyway, I reluctantly went for this "educational" experience and couldn't believe how much I learned. I assessed babies, set up their tube feedings, watched lazor ablation eye surgery and saw the pre and post pictures of the difference it made. However, the best experience I had was a baby that was full term, emergency c-section with meconium aspiration. They did all of standard treatments such as surfactant therapy, nitric oxide etc.. but ultimately the baby needed ECMO. Here this baby was probably the sickest that he could be and I was not sad or fearful. I was amazed! Amazed that their was such an amazing treatment available that may save this otherwise most likely terminal baby! I found myself going home and researching about ECMO. I am not leaving my present job, but I definately had a change of heart on how I feel about the NICU. Best of luck to you! I hope you find your dream.