How long to stay at a job you don't like?

[PAERRN20]

What is the proper length of time to stay at a job you don't like? 6 months? 1 year? Do you think a future nurse manager would look poorly on an RN that was out of the nursing field (but a health-related field) for a year?

[BrookeeLou_RN]

As in all honesty your current job is not adding to your skills, I would think it would be in your best interest to start looking. Wanting hands-on when many are looking for opposite should help you. Best of luck:redbeathe

[Chin up]

If you want to work acute care, start looking now. Then you can quit when hired. I would not stay in a job, another day, if I did not have too. Learned that the hard way, almost had a stroke, literally. Peace!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

learned that the hard way, almost had a stroke, literally. peace!

wow... i know a nurse that actually had a tia on the job! the irony is he was working a stroke floor at the time and was admitted to the floor he worked (at his insistence). within 24 hours he was up and "working" the floor in his hospital gown. he blamed his ex-wife rather than the job. good for you for seeing the signs.

[nurse.sandi]

I have been out for two years and no one has said anything.

I think the answer is whatever is best for you.

[nurse.sandi]

My coworker and friend passed a half an hour after he got home at 8a. after a hard night shift. My coworker did not feel well and was worried about his attendance policy. Needless to say...that was a hard blow to deal with when I returned the next night and my friend was not there. I was running late for shift that nite because there was a gridlock on the highway. When I walked into the report room...I knew something was wrong. It was terrible. I do not want to ever deal with a situation like that again nor wish this on someone else. Just a thought that still breaks my heart.

[NurseMentor4fun, BSN, MSN, RN]

There are too many jobs out there to stay at one that does not make you happy. Good luck finding what you are really looking for!

[systoly]

As long as it takes to find a better one.

[cheri1859]

I'm looking for opinions here too…Is this considered "extraordinary circumstances"? I was assaulted in my first ER position this past July (and only just started this past May so technically I am still on orientation) and am cleared to begin back to work this October (Fractured radius with 7 screws and a plate and a fractured ulna). I wouldn't say I am suffering from PTSD (I believe that I have a good handle on why it happened….sick people loose control sometimes and sometimes people get hurt). I am to having nightmares about my first shift back...being assigned only the psych patients…and these patients getting out of control and no one hearing my requests for help. I know consciously that this won't happen and try to laugh it off but I am seriously feeling as though my facility isn't safe (no security in the main ER). Prior to getting my license, I worked for 8 years as a paramedic in both urban and suburban areas and have never felt "unsafe". I've always felt that ER nursing was the direction for me. Landing my first job in the ER was a dream come true and I'm trying not to let this patient/event change my perspective on my new career. The logical person that I am feels that I should at least get my first shift over with and then see how I feel. If I decide afterwards that I am simply not able to continue there, do you think an interviewing manager would see me as a bad risk for hiring? I go over in my head "I am leaving my current position because I just don't feel safe in my facility after being assaulted by a patient" and I sound unstable even to myself!! We all know the risks of nursing (as unacceptable as being attacked is - it happens). Just looking for insight from you all.

Thanks!!