Meant to be

To think just two weeks ago I was upset by having my hours cut...well, good news...I have a new job! Actually...new job at a new hospital with a higher wage and a higher night differential and free tuition for my bachelor's degree and an offer that after a year, I am welcome to transition into their critical care program if that's the direction I want to go. It's all good...except the drive...although the drive adds on about 15 minutes to what I'm used to right now (I hate driving), one of my co-workers that lives right near my house also got hired at the same hospital on the same unit & we were both told that we would be able to work the same nights since they know we're driving a little bit of a distance and would like to carpool. So that works out too. I think it was all meant to be.

I worked three nights this past week & each night I sat right next to a radio which repeatedly broadcasted about a nursing job fair. I had already known about the job fair in advance & had thought about attending. After hearing that commercial play over & over about every 25 min on the radio, I had no doubt I would at least check things out. Apparently some of my co-workers had the same idea as I ran into 3 others at the job fair just minutes after it started.

Things fell right into place from the moment I got there...like it was all meant to be. I'm sure this hospital has some downfalls, but right now...I am excited for this opportunity. I typed up my resignation letter & hand-delivered it to my nurse manager. She was shocked and called me about an hour later to inquire as to what was going on & to let me know if I ever wanted to come back...to give her a call. That was pretty nice. Two other nurses on my unit also resigned that same day. They are also going to the hospital I will be at. By shift change it seemed as if word spread quickly & a few others are contemplating leaving. Guess that overstaffing problem might be resolved sooner than later.

I gave a 4 week notice. I only had to give 2 weeks, but I told them I'd finish out this schedule that starts on Sunday...just to be fair (I imagine I'll be the first one called off anytime we're overstaffed between now & the end of the schedule...oh well). The new hospital was fine with that also....so my start date is June 15th. I am nervous, but excited...did I mention the unit I'm on has 42 "private" rooms?? Ahhhh...it doesn't take much to make me happy...lol.

I'm excited...never thought it would fall into place this quickly, but very thankful it has & the new opportunities I will be given. I had wanted to get my bachelor's degree, but the cost is what stopped me. This hospital is going for magnet status & as a result...they are encouraging their nurses to get Bachelor & Master degrees & they pay it all directly. None of this out of pocket expense & we'll pay you back stuff. Plus it's all online classes. Sweet!

Needless to say, I slept very well last night. I'm only scheduled one night this week...Sunday night...so I should be able to avoid the drama as more people discover a few of us are leaving.

Thanks to everyone for their wonderful comments...I really do appreciate everything you say.