Solo
I know exactly or almost where you are coming from. I also work in healthcare just a different level than you I work in a rural ER. For the last 2 years I've not been happy at work. New boss, which tries to be a friend to all instead of a boss, disciplines the whole vs. the individuals that need to be addressed as she doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings, so the issues never get resolved. The fellow co-workers are adults but act more like 12 and have no work ethics what so ever, and I finally after beating my head against the wall, and actually becoming physically ill so I couldn't go to work, I realized it was time for a new job. I just put in my 2 weeks notice last week, and not one person asked me why. I've worked there 9 1/2 years. They've posted my job already within like 4 hours but I have yet to sign papers re: my job. Yes, my new job will have less benefits, they are telling me they will pay me X amount more which may or may not be true-i'm still waiting for it in writing, and it's a whole new venture for this hospital and my working hours will be Thurs thru Sat, vs the Fri thru Sun that I work now. BUT, I had reached my limit and I am willing to take a whole new job, lose my accumulated sick and vacation time and start all over from scratch. I will be without insurance for 1 1/2 months which is my concern, COBRA is outragous btw. But one of the 2 co workers that I work with that actually work, stated, if you are happy, none of that will matter. I thought, she is so right, and made my entry into my new job brighter as that was my concern. Who knows, I may have to go crawling back to my old employer, but how do you know if you don't try.
It was so amazing to me that once I handed in my 2 weeks, it was like there was no longer any amount of annoyance from my coworkers that could bother me. Ok, some of them annoyed me when their response was "great, now I have to work some weekends again" I soooo wanted to say, TFB that's what you're obligated by policy to do, but have been getting away with not doing so because you throw temper tantrums..I just hope I don't have to go crawling back....
formerly known as shellyj
You may be able to purchase gap insurance or short term insurance that is more affordable than COBRA.
In the past year, DH was laid off and I also had to leave an impossible situation. We found it more affordable to purchase insurance on our own (we shopped at www.ehealthinsurance.com) than to sign up with COBRA -- we had been unhappy with DH's employee insurance anyway, as they had spent the previous two years terminating their contracts with many of our local health care providers.
Good luck!
NbyNW
not to hijack Solo's thread, but thanks for that information..I will check it right out. That's the biggest fear for me. I've had insurance since being employeed, have never had to use it. Seems you need insurance when you least expect it and I'm just afraid of that "what if" situation..thanks again
formerly known as shellyj