How long before its ok to quit?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Peds, ER.

OK... so I need a little advice.

I was a travel nurse for about a year or so.. loved it. Saw a bunch of different states and had a great time. But after awhile got tired of the cardiac/tele floors I was staffing and wanted to get into the ER. So I decided to kinda get the best of both worlds, keep travelling, but hire on as staff so that they'd train me in a new field. So I moved to California and got hired on as staff.

I've now gotten 6 months of ER under my belt and am really wanting to move back to my home state. I love California, but its not home. I guess as a traveller I'm not used to committing to a foreign state for more than short periods of time... I'm getting a little homesick now.

I feel an obligation to the hospital, and to my manager to stick around for awhile since they spent 6 weeks training me and all that went into it.

I know that ideally I should stick around for a year at least... but I'm just not happy here. Love the ER, but want to move back home. I feel stuck.

Is it too soon to quit?

How should I go about it?

Or do I need to suck it up and stay at least another 6 months?

In hindsight I should've been up-front with my manager and agreed on the amount of time I planned on staying. I always knew I wouldn't be in Cali forever.. I just didn't want that to keep me from getting the job... kinda shady, I know..Being up front would've taken the guilt from leaving so soon.

I wanted the luxury of travelling to a new state and getting off the floors at the same time (since you can't change specialties as a traveller...)

UGH!

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

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Honestly, unless you signed a contract to work for a certain amount of time, I think proper notice is all you need to give. Since your reasons aren't emergent, I would give 30 days notice.

Things happen - people move. Managers know this - you can't circumvent someone's personal life. Good luck with your move back home!

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Peds, ER.

Thanks... and yeah, you're right. I'm not in a contract, I really technically have every right to leave at any time... like you said, things happen.

I guess I just wanna make sure I leave on good terms so that I keep good references.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
Honestly, unless you signed a contract to work for a certain amount of time, I think proper notice is all you need to give. Since your reasons aren't emergent, I would give 30 days notice.

Things happen - people move. Managers know this - you can't circumvent someone's personal life. Good luck with your move back home!

I agree with this poster! People move about all the time; you need to do what's best for you. Just give the proper notice.

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Thanks... and yeah, you're right. I'm not in a contract, I really technically have every right to leave at any time... like you said, things happen.

I guess I just wanna make sure I leave on good terms so that I keep good references.

If you've done a good job- I can't see why this would affect your references there. If you let them know you're planning to leave and they said they had wished you'd stay longer- you might compromise for a longer term- but they also might not care.

Good luck!

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I guess what we are all trying to say is, what is the name of your hospital, where is it, and what is the name of your HR manager?

Just kidding... But seriously...... :D

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I was in a similar situation. I had moved to a different state for a job, wanting the excitement of a new place. I liked the job alot and had alot of fun but after six months or so I decided I needed to be closer to my hometown for various reasons. I was so scared to tell my manager and coworkers I was leaving. I thought they'd be angry that they spent time training me or just think I was crazy for moving back so soon. I was pleasantly surprised that almost everyone was supportive and said they were sorry to see me go but understood. They actually gave me a good bye party at work the day I left. Do what is best for you. People will come and go from jobs all the time.

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Do not quit until you have a job lined up for you in your home state. Depending on where you are and the employment situation, this might take some time. It also takes time to find a place to live, get the deposit etc.

Take your time and find a good job too, unless your current job is so bad it is making you desperate.

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Peds, ER.
I was in a similar situation. I had moved to a different state for a job, wanting the excitement of a new place. I liked the job alot and had alot of fun but after six months or so I decided I needed to be closer to my hometown for various reasons. I was so scared to tell my manager and coworkers I was leaving. I thought they'd be angry that they spent time training me or just think I was crazy for moving back so soon. I was pleasantly surprised that almost everyone was supportive and said they were sorry to see me go but understood. They actually gave me a good bye party at work the day I left. Do what is best for you. People will come and go from jobs all the time.

Yeah that sounds exactly like my situation! It gives me hope :)

Thank you all for your advice! I feel much better about it... I'm gonna give it a little more time, in June will be my 3 year anniversary as an RN so having that 3 yrs under my belt will improve my resume when I'm applying for jobs back home

You guys rock! Thanks!

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