Seeking relocation/career advice

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Psych.

Hello, I’m looking to relocate to an area one hour away from mine because it’s cheaper and my partner works there. We are looking to move within the year. My background is in psych but there aren’t many opportunities in the area. If there are, the pay is not great or I would have a rough and long commute. I am also looking for a career change since I’ve been wanting to get more medical unit experience. I have been looking into med surg jobs In the area but there aren’t many in that area with transition programs or willing to train nurses with no medical unit experience. It seems that the hospitals are looking for nurses with experience in the specialty and new grads. The transition program I wanted to apply to is starting too soon for me to prep for a move and the facility isn’t sure they will have another one this year.

I’m not really sure how to go about this potential move. Should I try to look for psych jobs while I try to establish myself in the area or apply for jobs in medical unit? Should I try to find opportunities in both? Since I’m moving to a new area, I want to work somewhere I will be content. If anyone can give me advice or guidance, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

An hour isn't long. I would suggest you stay where you are, keep working, keep applying and commute the hour drive when seeing your partner on days off. Is your current experience in psych? Changing to med-surg will be difficult right now due to COVID-19. Most hospitals are on a hiring freeze or even laying people off. Don't move until you have a job lined up. I cannot stress that strongly enough. Moving without a job will leave a gap in your resume. That will eliminate any chance of changing specialties for the foreseeable future. Keep working; move when you find a job.

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Specializes in Psych.
2 hours ago, Nurse SMS said:

An hour isn't long. I would suggest you stay where you are, keep working, keep applying and commute the hour drive when seeing your partner on days off. Is your current experience in psych? Changing to med-surg will be difficult right now due to COVID-19. Most hospitals are on a hiring freeze or even laying people off. Don't move until you have a job lined up. I cannot stress that strongly enough. Moving without a job will leave a gap in your resume. That will eliminate any chance of changing specialties for the foreseeable future. Keep working; move when you find a job.

Thanks, that is helpful. I don’t plan to move just yet, I’m definitely not in a position to pick up my bags and move either. I live in a big metro area, so a one hour commute can turn into three especially once more non-essential workers return to work. I’ll keep looking around while I’m working.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
On 5/12/2020 at 10:46 AM, boogie_girl said:

Thanks, that is helpful. I don’t plan to move just yet, I’m definitely not in a position to pick up my bags and move either. I live in a big metro area, so a one hour commute can turn into three especially once more non-essential workers return to work. I’ll keep looking around while I’m working.

I understand. I live in DFW and it is that way here too. Plan your reunions for off hours. It is tough but doable. Good luck!

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