Weddingbee boards

Hello!

I wanted to give an update regarding my relocation to chicago. For those of you who did not read my first post:

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/new-jobrelocation-to-chicago

So...the hospital I really really really want to work at (I will reveal this if/when I get the job) called me Thursday to tell me that they are proceeding with an offer for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yay! I am so so so excited! They said they will have the offical offer on Monday! But because no decision is ever easy and I feel like God is constantly testing me :) there was a twist added...

Friday morning there was an email sent out from our CIO of a mandatory meeting for Friday afternoon (yes, that same day) the Subject, "Restructuring of the department". Naturally everyone starting freaking out! We are going to loose our jobs, ect. So the meeting time comes around and there is cake! I am thinking they are buttering us up for us to loose our job...but hey, at least I am getting free cake, right? In an attempt to make this somewhat short...he says that the majority of the ppl in the dept are getting a raise and some are getting promoted; our whole organizational structure is changing. He said that ppl will finally be making the salary they deserve for the job they do. As soon as I get back to my desk I have a meeting invite from my boss for Monday morning to discuss my job changes. 

Then I really start thinking back...I remember my boss asking me if I was Yellow Belt Certified or not. I am not, so she then told me I need to take the next available class. Then I remember about 3 months ago she pulled me in her office to tell me that they are looking at me for Project Management job that will be coming down the pike in the next 6 months. 

UGH! so now I am so confused adn I have to anxiously wait until Monday morning! this is torture! I think it is so crazy that Monday is the day I find out about my Chicago job and about my current job! What a Monday! I am honestly torn. I dont hate my current job but i work my ass off. I work like 60 hours a week and I have developed high blood pressure, ect. My whole life revolves around work. If I get promoted then they will just expect more and I dont know how much more I can offer. I cant see myself working liek this for much longer. Plus we are ready to start a family like asap. I dont want to miss out on my childrens lives because I am always at work. 

The job in chicago requires 40 hours a week! that is it. i meet with my actual co workers when i interviewed and they all said they work 8-5 everyday. Also you get to work from home 1 day a week! which is amazing. plus the benefits are better and the pay is much better. 

BUT...what if my current job does give me a raise on monday and it matches what i would be getting in chicago (keeping in mind the cost of living difference). I really really want to move to chicago and i know I would be happier at the chicago job but staying in indiana and at my current hospital just seems so much "easier" and safer. My husband feels teh same way as me. He does not know eiter. honestly, there is not much we can do until Monday. We just have to wait to see what happens. I have never wanted a weekend to go by faster :)

If anyone has any words of wisdom that might help, I am begging you to share :). Or even some thoughts on wha tyou might do if you were me? I just really want to talk to someone about this but there are not many ppl that i can do to keeping my chicago job a secret due to my current job. Thanks! sorry this is so long...and i hope all this blabbing makes sense...lol

After re-reading my post I realized that I acted as though I am certain I will be receiving a raise/promotion. I might not...these changes at work might not be in my favor and it might confirm for me that it is time to move on! :) But..not to toot my own horn.... I take a lot of responsibility and get close to perfect reviews...

wow..that sounds conceded..sorry

@creativeplannertobee:Thanks for your reply. I agree, I am very fortunate to have a job and to also have options. but I can relate to ppl who are jobless. My husband lost his job about 3-4 months ago and is still jobless. That is why we started looking at other locations...it is a good time for us to make a change. He was the breadwinner and so our income was cut by more than half....

your health is important and valuable.  take the chicago job.

@amariem25: Thanks for sharing your opinion. I completely agree with you on this. work-life balance is so important and I just dont have that with my current job. i am young and dont have kids now but i wont be like this forever. I am already seeing my health decrease and I am only 25!

This is why I say staying with my current job is "easier" in the short term (harder for us in the long term though):

1. It will be very difficult to leave my job. I have a lot of friends/they have expected a lot from me.
2. A lot of ppl have left our department due to dissatisfaction. I dont want to burn any bridges
3. selling our house might be impossible. But we do have close friends who want to rent our house when we leave
4. we will have to downsize at first. we dont currently have enough for a 20% downpayment on a house due to husband loosing his job. which means paying for storage, being in a small apartment
5. Packing! i dread moving again. I have moved every year for the past 5 years! 
6. it will not be easy leaving our family

I only say this because I've been in grad school for the past 5 years and haven't liked it much.  As a result my health has significantly declined and I've had $3k in med bills the past year.  Health is very important.  And in the future, I will definitely consider jobs that I know will help make me feel better,, not make my health worse.  Health and family come first in my book, once you lose those you've lost everything.

If your health is bad now it will only get worse if you stay at your current job and then add on the stress of caring for a young baby. I'm not saying the chicago job will be better, who knows, but it sounds like it'd be a good choice for now. 

@crayfish: Thanks for your reply. You are right...but higher salary does make life easier. :) I think our issue is whether Chicago will make us happier. We do know that when we first move we will be overwhelmed. We will be in a small one bedroom apt (we now have a 2,000 sq ft house). we are moving to chicago in the winter (not used to big snowy winters). But we think once we get through the initial shock of differences we probably will be happier in the long run... 

I have never made such a large move in my life. I have lived in the same 100 miles radius since I was 9. I honestly think I am just scared. It sounds silly because I am an adult but there is a lot of unknowns. 

BUT everytime we have been to chicago i have been in love with the place. the more i think about it and type the more i like the idea :)

@amariem25:You are so right. I am sorry that you are having health problems. I hope things get better for you soon :) <<hugs>>

@powderpuff: Thanks for the advice. We are actually already working with a Realtor and we know that we want to live in West Rogers Park so the hard part of "where to live" is already decided :) Apartments are so expensive and are so small compared to where I am from...but they are really nice. :) 

I told me husband this morning that I think no matter what my current job offers, I think we should take the job in chicago (as long as they offer a reasonable salary, which they should because they know the range I need/want). He immediately responded that he agreed. :)

@crayfish: WOW! that is a pretty big move! Just curious-Do you guys have a house you have to sell? is your company paying for relocation expenses? 

@2shy2Bbf: Yeah, I def plan on leaving on good terms. I will be giving like 3 weeks notice. My goal is to not burn any bridges. Since we will be renting our house, it would be "easy" for us to come back if needed. 

@IlsaLund: i hope so! I am hoping that my sign will be clear. But either way I am heavily leaning towards Chicago. It just makes sense and every Bee agrees! ;)