good things come to those who wait
For those of you who have been around Nurse on the Run for the past year-ish, it’s no news to you that I hate my job. In fact, hating nursing is one of the top ways that people find my blog through internet services! Crazy, right? I’ve been unhappy with my job for a long time, and while I’ve been trying to get a new one for a long time, the job market isn’t good even for nurses, so I’ve been holding tight while looking for something else.
I’ve had a couple job interviews, both in Philadelphia and Chicago, and neither of them panned out. Neither one was really what I wanted to do, but both would have been better than my current job. I feel like I should be more picky about my next job because I’ve since learned that your job can really affect the rest of your life, especially if it makes you miserable. Therefore, I haven’t been applying to a ton of jobs because I can’t find any I think I’d love, although I’ve applied to a few here and there. I finally decided to keep my interviews mainly to myself and a few close friends because the disappointment when I don’t get the job is heartbreaking to myself and gets worse when I have to tell everyone that I didn’t get the job, even with praises of “they’re crazy not to hire you!” and the like.
I finally hit the breaking point last week and as I called my mother in tears for the eight millionth time, she finally told me to quit my job and go home. Staying here isn’t worth my unhappiness, and I can’t keep living like this. The plan was to move home and find any job I could (go back to serving? work at a running store?) until I got another nursing job, or found something that paid well enough that I liked.
But I’m not doing that. Why, might you ask?
Well, the Thursday before I went to surf camp, I had an interview at a hospital in New York City. One of the top hospitals in the city, as well as in the country. I was super nervous, and I didn’t want to be let down if I didn’t get the job, so I didn’t mention it on here and I only told a few people about it. My first interview was with a nurse recruiter, and I thought it went terribly, but I suppose she didn’t because she sent me to the hospital to interview with the managers on the unit. The interviews with the managers went MUCH better, and I really liked the unit and got excited about it.
However, with the letdowns in the past, I tried not to get too excited about it. They told me they were going to check my references while I was on vacation, and although most people said this was a good sign, my previous experiences say that this is no guarantee. It took about two weeks to check my references, and last Friday I was told I would hear from the recruiter on Monday or Tuesday.
Monday came and went with no phone call, and I started to get nervous around 2pm on Tuesday because I told them that I work 3-11pm and that the best time to call me is before 2pm since I can’t really answer my phone at work. However, Tuesday happened to be my day off, and I got SUPER nervous when my phone rang around 3:30pm with a New York area code.
Twenty minutes later, I officially accepted a job in New York City!!!
I’ve kept my mouth shut (except for a little freak out on Twitter…) since I needed to resign from my job before posting it all over the internet, but I gave my three weeks notice yesterday, so now I can shout it to the mountain tops that…
I’M MOVING TO NEW YORK CITY!!!!
and
I’M GOING TO BE A BURN UNIT NURSE!!
My last day at my current job is going to be August 20th, and my first day at my new job is going to be September 13th. I’m crazy excited about this job, as I’m going to be working in a BURN UNIT!!! I’m soooooo pumped to be a burn unit nurse, as I think it’s quite fascinating and although I’ve never had a burn patient, I think it’s going to be a great field (I’ll highlight this in another post). The hospital is AMAZING, and I’m going to be working twelve hour night shifts (with rotation in the first year), so goodbye evening shift!
Not to mention the fact that New York is a wee bit different than my current small town in Pennsylvania, so I’m excited to live in the big city. I’m nervous because I don’t really know New York that well (or at all…) and I don’t know many people (except bloggers!!), so I’m going to be starting over, but I think it’s going to be good. In my life update in March, I explained that I’m young and single and can do whatever I want and go wherever I want to go…so away I go!
A huuuuuuuge THANK YOU to everyone who has listened to me complain about my job and my life over the past year…it’s been really hard and while I’ve tried to focus on being positive, that didn’t always work. I’m so excited about this next chapter in my life, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! I hope you’ll follow me in my journey, especially if you live in NEW YORK!!!
Do you live in NYC? Any tips on where to live?? Let me know…bloggers and lurkers alike! I can’t wait to meet all of you!!
Oh my gosh Susan I am SO happy and excited for you! I saw your ‘status’ on gmail and thought it had something to do with a new job, but this is more exciting than I had imagined! I have lots of friends in the city and used to go there often, but I’m definitely not going to be a good resource. Congratulations again girl!
yay! congratulations on the new job! I am so excited for you. I wish you all the best in your big move.
Delurking to tell you congrats!! As someone starting nursing school in January (career change for me) it’s almost a relief to see you so excited about your new job.
Although I definitely appreciate you telling the truth about the job you’re leaving – I like knowing the good, the bad and the ugly. Congrats again! You’ll love NY!
As I wrote in my email….CONGRATS SUSAN!!!! I know how difficult it’s been for you the last year (can’t believe we’ve known each other nearly a year!) and I’m so excited for you to start a new chapter in your life. Seriously, this is a new chapter. Starting over will be AMAZING for you.
We’ve already conversed, so you know I’m so darn excited that you’ll be moving into the big city! Yay! Congrats again! It’s a great place and I actually know docs who work at Cornell! Anyway, we’ll chat later, but yay, congrats again!
I’m more of a lurker…. I may have commented once or twice before, I can’t remember… but I wanted to tell you CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so glad you were able to find a job in a location and field that you’re interested in!! Good luck with all the upcoming changes, looking forward to reading about them.
jealous.
also, your google away message gave it away. though indirectly.
Congratulations! I don’t have any tips for you on New York though!!
So AMAZINGLY exciting. Congrats!
Most people that live in NYC are transplants. My story isn’t much different than yours – moved here due to a job knowing not a single person (7+ years later I can’t imagine living anywhere else). All I can say is it make take a little time but you will have a ball. Definitely shoot me an email for any questions about NY and I’ll do my best to help.
CONGRATULATIONS! (again
) so very very excited for you 
NYC will be an awesome place to live and this just sounds like a great opportunity for you. i was in a burn unit in nursing school and loved it … the patient population is fascinating. YAY!!!
Whaaa? Congrats!!! That is so freaking cool. I’m going to come visit you sometime! I’m so happy for you. This is going to be great.
Congratulations! Best wishes on the move and good luck with the job. Carpe Diem.
Congrats Susan – I am so happy for you!
Good luck with apartment searching! New York is a great place – with great food!
You might want to look into apartments in New Jersey. NYC rent is INSANE, so is New Jersey, but no where near as bad. If you pick a town with good bus and train service you’ll be able to commute into the city rather easily. If you’re really into the city life, before you go NYC, consider Hoboken, NJ. It’s a short PATH train ride into the city, but rent will be cheaper than NYC, but still pretty high. Parking sucks in Hoboken, but it sucks even more in most of NYC.
I live in Rutherford, NJ, for two more days. It’s got 24/7 bus service to NYC and good trains as well. It’s a nice town with a good selection of apartments. It’s about 10 miles from NYC, so by car it can be anywhere from a 20 minute ride to 3-4 hours, that’s why I suggest good bus/train service.
Hi! Congratulations! I’ve been following your blog, and this is incredibly exciting! NYC is a fab place to run, so you have tons to look forward to besides the jobber.
Can’t write enough from this damn touch screen, but I am SO happy for you!! I know absolutely nothing about NYC, except that my cousin is a prof at nyu. Hope I get to see you in Philly in august!
I’m so so sooooooooo happy for you chica. You absolutely deserve to have a great job that you love. And I’m going to start planning my visit asap. :p
Congrats again!!!
YAY YAY!!! Congrats again, Susan. I’m so excited for you, and I can’t wait to read all about your NY adventures. Hooray!
Very very awesome, Susan. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YAYYYYYY susan!! you so deserve it!!! and you will love NYC, i am sure. perhaps even as much as chicago?
i’m SO excited for you!! this seriously made my morning.
Ahh! That’s fantastic! I know what it’s like to hate your job (and to be in a place without friends for support). I’m SO happy for you and this new oppertunity. Good luck!
OMG- i’m SO happy for you!! What great news- congrats. I can’t wait to read all about your move. And now you get to run in NYC- how cool is that?!?
I was so glad when you told me about this on Twitter! Congratulations! I can’t think of anyone who deserves this more. You have stuck admirably with a job that makes you miserable while searching for something that would make you happier–and all of your hard work has paid off! This sounds like such an exciting opportunity for you, both professionally and personally. All the best, lady!
wow! congratulations!!!!!
i live on long island in ny and you will not be dissappointed! nyc rocks and i’m sure you are going to love it!
best of luck!
xo
sarabeth
Even though I’ve already said congrats on Twitter, I want to say it again! CONGRATS!! I am so happy for you and you totally deserve this! Plus, you are going to be living in NYC! How awesome is that?!?
congrats on your new job and rocking out the tri! running 7 min miles at the end of the race? thats insane!
Yay yay yay! I am so excited for you Susan! Congrats! This is going to be an awesome journey. I cannot wait to hear about the new job!
And you are going to meet a ton of great people in NY!
Hey Girl! I just found your blog today randomly. I grew up in Philly and live in the city but one of my best friends is from Chicago and hates it here haha. Not uncommon! Good for you on your new job…I completely know what you mean about hating your job and how it has a HUGE impact on happiness in general! Best of luck!!