NY…For Sure

It’s official.  I’m going to NY!  I’ll be arriving in Manhattan with two suitcases and no pillow.  Crazy!  (But good experience in “letting go”).  I feel relieved that this decision has essentially go been solved for me.  I’ve debated…stay in LA, move to northern Cali, go back to Seattle and work a bit there, or just do the NY thing so there will be no chance of future regrets.  The job offer came out of the blue.  I’ll be working at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center doing the day nurse thing.  A lot of patient education, telephone calls, etc.  Basically what I did in Seattle on Same Day Unit, but probably (hopefully) much more organized and professional.  4 days a week, 10 hour days, 3 day weekends…every week for three months.  (Yes, this is a travel assignment).

I think I’ve been under so much stress and anxiety, flip flopping back and forth over where to live and work that I forgot how long I’ve been wanting and waiting to move to NY.  The other day it occurred to me that I have no real reason why I’ve wanted to live there.  I ended up telling my recruiter on the phone that I just love public transportation.  Her response was, “Well, now you can drink more and not worry about having to drive.”  This is very true and the thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion, but it’s odd hearing it come from your employer.  (Although she does frequently call me “girlie” and “honey” so the statement isn’t too striking).  Basically prior to graduating nursing school the desire has been there.  This winter (after the pain of applying for my NY license) and then recently having it get lost in the mail (twice) it seems that this “dream” is becoming my reality.  My goal was to be there by my birthday and (yay!) it will be met. 

I’m going to give NY an honest try.  Texas and LA got it, so NY definitely deserves the same. 

Taking a travel assignment is essentially A LOT easier than moving to a new place on your own.  2 days prior to receiving this offer (and literally minutes before the phone rang) I was still debating about whether to stay in Cali or just do the east coast thing completely and take a permanent position.  Three months is a good amount of time to figure out if I would like to stay longer.  If it’s not for me I can always come back here.  (Truthfully I anticipate I’ll love it and have to kiss this beautiful weather good-bye, but we’ll see). 

I’ve decided to post an entry (Thoughts on NY) that I wrote  a few nights before I was interviewed for my new position.  It’s honest and perhaps more revealing than this post.  Funny thing though, I continued to talk myself out of going even after I had compiled my thoughts and fears, which is ultimately why I chose not to publish it immediately.  Now that this is all happening my hesitation has mostly dissipated.  I’m packing (organizing what goes and what doesn’t), driving back to Seattle to leave my car (I’ll miss you), and then flying over in a week or so!  It’s quickly coming together, and I look forward to relaxing and exploring a new place very soon (which is essentially why I do what I do).