How long should I stay at first job?

caliotter3 · May 1, 2008

If it were me, I would try to stay a year if things are tolerable. That should make it easier to get your next position. And if you are really homesick and want to return to your home, then start making plans and follow up on them. That will make it easier on you because you will have something positive to look forward to. The time will go by faster than you think.

elkpark · May 1, 2008

I agree, a minimum of a year unless there is some real, concrete reason that you can't complete at least a year. The longer, the better.

nurseby07 · May 1, 2008

I think that it is pretty difficult to get a job as a new grad and under 1 year you are still considered that, so when you apply for that peds position you will have to apply as a RN Intern (at least in my area). With that said, I left my job after 10 months and the new company considered that I had experience because it was an ICU step-down.

I agree with the above posters, start looking and applying on line in your home town and the count down will go a lot faster for you. I am finally passionate about my new job and it has enabled me to change myself in so many ways. My old job was dreadful and I used it as an excuse to become depressed and wallow my days off away..

nursemike, ASN, RN · May 1, 2008

Hi, and welcome to allnurses.com! I agree that it will probably look good to future employers if you make it a full year. All the experience you are gaining, now, will be stuff they don't have to teach you. Of course, your current employer would probably like to keep you longer, to recoup their investment, but they undoubtedly realize that's the chance they take, hiring nurses. From their point of view, probably the best they can hope for is that you'll last until the next round of new hires is off orientation--but you may want to time your departure to coincide with the hiring cycle (if there is one) at your prospective employer.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.

elkpark · May 1, 2008

Also, as you note in the OP, many new grads are unhappy with their jobs after only three months, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the job. The transition from student nurse to "real" nurse is notoriously difficult and frustrating. You may find you feel very differently (about your current position) in another six months or so. Or not, but by the end of a year you will have given both yourself and the job a "fair trial" and will be able to make a better decision about your options.

NeoNurseTX, RN · May 6, 2008

Also, as you note in the OP, many new grads are unhappy with their jobs after only three months, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the job. The transition from student nurse to "real" nurse is notoriously difficult and frustrating. You may find you feel very differently (about your current position) in another six months or so. Or not, but by the end of a year you will have given both yourself and the job a "fair trial" and will be able to make a better decision about your options.

The knowledge that the first year is HARD is what keeps me going. I'm having a tough time and feel completely incompetent at my first nursing job. RIght now I'm wondering if I even want to work in a hospital period, much less do 12's. The M-F 8-5 life is starting to look pretty peachy.. but I'm trying to stick it out for now.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 6, 2008

Your positon is similar to mine. I took a job on a med-surg floor, but have every intention of leaving in min 6 months from now. As soon I can get a job in PEDS, I'll be out of here.