I apologize in advance if thisd is a little long-winded but I need a little advice from my fellow nurses (since we all know nurses know best). I graduated two years ago and started my dream job in a Surgical ICU at a very large, VERY well known, teaching institution. I had previous experience at two other hospitals doing various patient care jobs. I love my patient population, and the high acuity of patients that I would never see anywhere else, this is the reason I came here. I lived about an hour away at the time (and still do) but felt the commute would be worth the experience and acuity I'd get from this setting, which it absolutely was.
Since then my priorities have changed. I have met a wonderful person and they have moved in to my place. Our lease is about to be up and we are looking for a bigger place closer to his job, which is further away from mine. This is where the dilemma comes into play. I love my job, but am completely tired of the commute, especially since the scheduling requirements are much more demanding than they let you on to believe when you were hired. I generally end up working 4 12hr shifts a week and because of the crazy "salary" payscale I'm not paid extra unless it is an oncall shift.
We are debating on comprising and moving equal distances from our jobs but further away from everything and everyone we know, friends, family, etc. The other option is me changing jobs. There is a hospital near where our IDEAL location would be with a smaller Surgical ICU. It is a much smaller hospital, but still does some teaching. I'd be working less and as it turns out be making the same amount. I have contacted their Nurse recruiter and they are interested in interviewing me. The question is, do I leave the experience I am continuing to get everyday I walk into work for something of a lesser scale?
I know there are those nurses out there that remember or currently experience the thrill of a good story from work. "We opened the patient at the bedside, 70u of blood products throughout the shift, it was exhuasting". I do not doubt I would continue to learn at this new instituition but know I wouldn't see the crazy things I see on a day to day basis at my current hospital.
So my question is bluntly, what would you do? Sacrifice part of your life for your job or vice versa? I've never had to ask myself this question and am curious if anyone else has similar experiences or has had to make a similar decision in the past. I thank you in advance for your reply and look forward to hearing what you have to say!
I agree follow your heart, you will still get some great expereince in a smaller hospital. I moved from a 1000 bed hospital to a 48 bed hospital 21 years ago because of my husbands job and I loved every minute of it. If the smaller hospital is savvy they'll love having you around as a teacher and resource.
Spend more time with your love, it's more important than your career.
You know what "they" say: No one ever lies on their deathbed and wishes that they'd worked more hours or given more to their career.
Go for your life...look at it this way: your decision is so much easier because you do have a potential position available at a reasonable salary. Imagine if you had to make a moving decision based on your lovelife without a chance at an accompanying job.
:)Thank you all for your wonderful replies. I definitely have been leaning more towards this decision but just wanted to hear opinions from other nurses. @ Suzie, yes I would love to stay per diem at my current job and I will definitely express interest when leaving. The only downfall is our unit is a gateway to CRNA school and we have 10-14 RNs leave for school each summer. The nurses who have been here awhile (which are also the ones in management) really blacklist you as soon as you say you are leaving. In some way I do understand the exhaustion from the waves of short staffing and training new employees, but needless to say, very few people are ever permitted to stay per diem.
Again, I aprreciate all your stories and replies...
At the bigger facility you will eventually become exhausted. The high acuity along with the extra shift every week plus the extended commute all will take it's toll on you.
Take your experience and give yourself the opportunity and time to enjoy life since it appears it could be available for you in the smaller facility. You work to be able to enjoy life, not live to work.
THIS!!
I worked at a level II trauma center for over 3 years. The thrill of those high stress/adrenaline situations is exciting for awhile but it really drains you to do it day after day after day. I now work in a small community hospital 6 bed ICU. MUCH less stress. No weekends(as there are two full time weekend program night shift RN's)
Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.
The thought of letting you go without being allowed to work per-diem makes no sense, especially if the unit is short staffed, Tim. Spring will be here soon; you would definitely be an asset, as you could provide coverage for vacations. As my mother would say, they are "cutting off their noses to spite their faces!" Go figure...
Celia M, ASN, RN
212 Posts
I agree follow your heart, you will still get some great expereince in a smaller hospital. I moved from a 1000 bed hospital to a 48 bed hospital 21 years ago because of my husbands job and I loved every minute of it. If the smaller hospital is savvy they'll love having you around as a teacher and resource.
Spend more time with your love, it's more important than your career.
Celia