Underappreciated is exactly how I feel. I have worked for a skilled nursing facility for over 7 years. I started at this facility fresh out of school. They showed me the ropes and taught me much of what I know. I have worked all shifts throughout my years, orientated many new nurses which have come and went. I have stuck by the facility through its shallow ups and very deep downs. I enjoy direct care and floor nursing but I am at the point where I am wanting more. I'm seeking a leadership nursing position. I feel I deserve a leadership position. I see myself as an excellent resource for the nursing staff and I'm often a "go to" person when questions/issues arise. I am the most senior floor nurse at this facility and in my 20's. Over the past year we have had a wound care RN, MDS, Unit supervisor, and ADON position open up. I have never been considered by my management team for any of these positions or encouraged to apply. For a long time I have thought it was me. I thought I wasn't good enough, I thought people saw me as a bad nurse. Now I am considering that its not me, but my management team and their view of me. Why do I stay at a place that wont allow me to advance in my career? I am a loyal person, this is why I have stuck it out for this long as a floor nurse. I've been considering quitting and going to another facility where I will have a chance to advance as a nurse. My question is....Should I stay or should I go?

Did you apply for any of the positions? or just wait to be asked?

I enjoy direct care and floor nursing but I am at the point where I am wanting more. I'm seeking a leadership nursing position. I feel I deserve a leadership position. I see myself as an excellent resource for the nursing staff and I'm often a "go to" person when questions/issues arise. I am the most senior floor nurse at this facility and in my 20's.

Over the past year we have had a wound care RN, MDS, Unit supervisor, and ADON position open up. I have never been considered by my management team for any of these positions or encouraged to apply.

When you say that you've never been considered for promotion by your management team, does that mean that you're waiting for them to address the issue before you even apply to one of the available positions or does it mean that you've applied to any/all of them but have been rejected?

If you're waiting for them to express an interest in you instead of actively pursuing a promotion, my advice would be to start applying when suitable positions open up.

I can guess at many reasons why management aren't pushing you to seek a promotion. One possible scenario is that you seem to have high employee turnover if you are the most senior nurse on the floor. You might just be too valuable to them in your current position as you constantly orient new hires and your experience is no doubt highly needed. Another possible explanation is that they're looking for you to take the initiative, to express an interest in a new position. I'm just guessing here since I don't have all the information. Is it possible that they think you are too young since you're still in your twenties?

Why do I stay at a place that wont allow me to advance in my career? I am a loyal person, this is why I have stuck it out for this long as a floor nurse. I've been considering quitting and going to another facility where I will have a chance to advance as a nurse.

So, if you've applied to all the open positions you listed and were turned down then perhaps it is a good idea to start looking elsewhere. If this facility has problems retaining staff then the chances to advance might be limited since they need an experienced nurse to precept new hires. If on the other hand you're passively waiting to be offered a position, consider being more proactive and start applying.

My question is....Should I stay or should I go?

We can't tell you how to choose, this is a personal decision and you're the only one who can make it.

The best of luck to you!

When you say that you've never been considered for promotion by your management team, does that mean that you're waiting for them to address the issue before you even apply to one of the available positions or does it mean that you've applied to any/all of them but have been rejected?

If you're waiting for them to express an interest in you instead of actively pursuing a promotion, my advice would be to start applying when suitable positions open up.

I agree with this entire post, even the parts I did not quote. I also wanted to say that in my 10-ish years as a nurse, I have never been encouraged to apply for a "higher" position, yet I have moved up (modestly) within my hospital system. Apply for a leadership position, see what happens. If you really like this facility, stick it out for now, but be open to applying for positions at other facilities.

Have you applied for those positions?

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