Questions about job searching

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Specializes in orthopedics, telemetry, PCU.

Hello Everyone,

I'm hoping for some input regarding looking for jobs and how to handle notifying current coworkers/management.

A little background: I went to college about 3.5 hours away from my home town, met my boyfriend there, and planned on remaining in that area when I graduated. Unfortunately, after searching for over eight months, I couldn't find any employment in the area. I moved back home, got a job at the hospital here, and have been working here for a year on a telemetry/PCU floor. I actually LOVE my job, my coworkers, and really respect my manager. If this place was 3.5 hours north, I'd be happy to stay there indefinitly.

I've been working six twelve hour shifts in a row, so I have eight days off in a row-which I use to drive up to my boyfriend's house (so right now, I'm driving 3.5 hours every week-either there or back). Just FYI-he has a great job and owns a house, so he won't be relocating. Now that I have a year of experience, I'm hoping to find a job in the area I went to college/where my boyfriend currently lives. I'm aware even with experience, it might take a while, and I'm fine with continuing my current routine for as long as it takes-just want to get things rolling now.

So my questions are:

1. I had been planning to wait until I had some definite interviews/things were a little further along in the process to let my manager know that I was looking. She's been supportive in the past for employees leaving due to relocation (telling them they should contact her if they ever come back to the area and are looking for a job, etc) as well as employees who accepted positions at local hospitals. I know the prevailing wisdom here is to wait until you have a definite offer to let your boss know, but I feel like I owe it to her to give as much notice as possible. Also, several applications have asked for contact info for my current supervisor, and I'd like her to be aware that she may be getting phone calls/e-mails. So do I tell her now that I've filled out applications, or wait?

2. Several applications have asked for professional/peer references. I've tried to keep in quiet that I'm looking, but several of the co-workers who I'm closer to know that at some point, I would be planning on trying to find a job closer to my boyfriend. Who would be the best people to ask to serve as references? Right now, I'm thinking two of the charge nurses I work with, as well as a girl that I'm close to/was hired with.

Sorry this is so long...but felt like the background was relevent. Thanks so much in advance for your input!

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

If you still have any contact with your nursing instructors, you could always ask one of them if they wouldn't mind being a reference for you.

As far as letting your nurse manager know- I haven't had anyone contact my previous employer until I've interviewed, so your NM may not be getting calls until after you interview at a few places. Once you start interviewing I'd find the right time to pull her aside and talk about it. She sounds very understanding from what you posted. Are you afraid that if you let her know now, that you'll be treated differently or asked to leave earlier than you planned? Hopefully none of that will happen, but she may appreciate you telling her the news sooner rather than later so she can keep it in mind that she'll need to hire someone soon.

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hi, can somebody explain me what do i need to do if i want to come and work in france. i'm coming from an EU country and i'm aware of the need of good french language. but for the rest i have no clue. thanks in advance.

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Personally, for what my opinion is worth (:twocents:), I'd make sure this relationship with your boyfriend is SOLID before I'd give up this job. You are, IMHO, giving this up to be closer to him, are you not? How serious is this relationship? As the mother of 2 grown children, this would be the question I would want my daughter to ask herself!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Agreed - and probably not the response you're looking for - a ring first BEFORE you leave your family and job would be my suggestion. You don't want to be one of those girls who moved to be closer with their bf and then things don't work out . . .

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Agreed - and probably not the response you're looking for - a ring first BEFORE you leave your family and job would be my suggestion.

Ahhhh yes. The good ol' ultimatum. We meet again...

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