Quit GN Residency or Commute 2 hours

[Jmcm1025]

Hello everyone,

Back in December, when I finished my nursing program, we (hubs and 3 small children) moved from our hometown to another city. I am currently in a GN Residency at an amazing trauma 1 hospital which didn't require me to sign a contract. Although it is not the exact area I want to be in, I am absorbing a lot of information and am extremely thankful for this experience.

Well, my spouse recently received a promotion and basically, we need to move back to where I went to nursing school, which is 2 hours away. We aren't moving until the summer but is this a legitimate reason for me to put my 2 weeks in? Should I start applying for jobs back at home and make sure I have something lined up before I do anything?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to burn any bridges, but I also don't want my family to suffer from me having to travel an extra 4 hours a shift.

TIA

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

2 hours is a long commute, but a nurse residency can be hard to come by. Could you guys move somewhere more midway between your job and his?

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I would start looking for another job now and then IF you find one, give proper notice and explain you're moving and thank them for the opportunity. Life happens and a 4 hr commute time would get very old very fast! Good luck!

[nurseontheway]

It is a great opportunity but your quality of life will be greatly effected if you have to commute four hours a day. I commute around 50 minutes a day and it is more than enough. I would start applying because the process can take time.

[Jmcm1025]

Thank you everyone.

There is no way to find an ”in between” home due to child care needs. That would be another huge issue to deal with.

I think I am going to apply and see what I can get. I am familiar with the hospitals in the area so I am hoping the odds are in my favor. If not then I’ll stick it out where I am.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

It wouldn't hurt to apply elsehwere and if someone takes you given the circumstances of why you have to cut out of the residency early, awesome.

If for some reason you are "stuck" in the residency, see if your management will allow you to group your days together. Might be easier to get a cheap hotel and work all your shifts in a row, rather than doing a 4 hour total commute.

[Jmcm1025]

1 minute ago, JadedCPN said:

It wouldn't hurt to apply elsehwere and if someone takes you given the circumstances of why you have to cut out of the residency early, awesome.

If for some reason you are "stuck" in the residency, see if your management will allow you to group your days together. Might be easier to get a cheap hotel and work all your shifts in a row, rather than doing a 4 hour total commute.

That’s a good idea about the hotel. Thanks.

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

A move 2 hours away is a legitimate reason to put in your notice. It's an unexpected life change you can't really do anything about. That said, stay in the residency as long as you can or until you secure new employment.

Also, I think by actively seeking new employment now, you are doing all you can to do the "right" thing by your current employer. The issue, of course, is that they are investing in you and will not benefit from that -- is there a sister institution you could transfer to? This would be ideal.

[unknownjulie]

Stay where you are and do three in a row. Stay in hotels or buy a cheap van or RV. You could park the RV in a coworker's driveway or something. It will be fine. Working three in a row, you'd barely see your family anyhow. Good luck!

[Dani_Mila, BSN, RN]

I have been doing it for 2 years. It is almost a 2 hour commute. However, my parents live nearby therefore, I leave DH for 3 days and stay at my parents for work and then spend time with DH for 4 days. Its stressfull because sometimes our shift does not match. He has rotating shifts. Looking for somewhere closer, but the options are very slim in my area (I live in a rural area not a lot of healthcare facilities)