How Long Did You stay at Your First Job as a Nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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I will graduate in May and I am trying to get as much information as possible before I commit to any one hospital. So, how long did you stay at your first job as a nurse? If you have left, why did you leave?

Thanks.

My first job I stayed at 11 months out of my 12 month contract, I got married and moved. But really I was burned out badly and wanted to leave!!!!!

I got out of nursing at that point for 10years, returned and stayed in that job for 3 years until I moved. (my spouse is military).

Good luck. Being a new nurse is hard and can really be overwhelming.

I will graduate in May and I am trying to get as much information as possible before I commit to any one hospital. So, how long did you stay at your first job as a nurse? If you have left, why did you leave?

Thanks.

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I stayed a year and eight months, before I moved 3.000 miles away.

Just a side question, how do you get out of your contract without being fined by the hospital? I signed a two year new-grad contract and who knows how long I will really want to stay with this hospital. :rolleyes: Thanks. :p

Specializes in NICU.

Well I've been at my first RN job for 6 years and counting. But I knew what I was getting into because I did my last nursing course on this unit. If there is any way to "preview" the hospital and unit/floor, that would be best. Either as a student or nursing assistant, whatever you can get. Honestly, I've heard more horror stories than happy ones like mine.

Good luck!

15 months and then started traveling!

Hiya

I was at the same job for 11 years before i uped and moved to a different country.. Been here in Scotland for almost 6 years now .. From Massachusetts originally.. Prolly would still be at the same hospital if not for the move abroad.

:-)

Kaylesh

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
Just a side question, how do you get out of your contract without being fined by the hospital? I signed a two year new-grad contract and who knows how long I will really want to stay with this hospital. :rolleyes: Thanks. :p

I didn't sign a contract. I'm old, maybe they weren't invented back then... :rotfl:

Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

3 1/2 years. I would've stayed longer but life intervened & I had to move to another town.

I stayed at my 2nd job for 14 months. I started looking for a different job within 4 months of starting at this location.

I am currently in my 3rd job since having earned my R.N. My 5th anniversary is in April.

I have yet to be asked to sign a contract. I stay as long as I feel I'm able to do a good job, remain safe, & fit it around my family life.

Good luck to you!

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I will graduate in May and I am trying to get as much information as possible before I commit to any one hospital. So, how long did you stay at your first job as a nurse? If you have left, why did you leave?

Thanks.

I worked an a LTC for about a year in Virginia Beach. I was a newlywed and my husband was in the Navy. I left because he got transferred. I didn't work again until he got out of the Navy. I then worked for a Doctor for 8 years until he retired. Then at the hospital where I currently work since 1981. I have never signed a contract. Ditto Mercyteapot, I'm too old for that.

2 years in LTC nad would probably still have been there if they would have worked with my schedule when I returned to school!

I'm a weekender at another LTCF now....

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

2 years. I moved out of state for military PCS, so 2 years was all I had. I miss it sometimes and learned a lot those first 2 years.

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