I'm a job hopper.... HELP!

[NurseCard]

Okay guys, be patient with me... I know I've posted on this before, but more points of view can't hurt at all, especially... since I have a job interview this coming Tuesday, that I'm not even sure that I'm even going to go to. Don't worry, I plan on letting the recruiter know, if I decide not to go. :)

I've had my current job for a year and one month now. I work in a small psychiatric hospital. I do love psych, but... I've never been crazy about working at this particular hospital; there are various issues.

The job before that, I had for a year and a half.

The job prior to THAT, I had for a year and a month; I really did actually like that job but I HAD to find one closer to home, with 12 hour shifts. This particular job only offered 8's, and it was an hour drive away.

The job prior to THAT, I had for seven years; left that hospital because I was burned out on Med/Surge and had always wanted to do Psych.

So, basically, I've had four jobs in about four years, and have been considering yet another. I really truly am VERY unhappy in my current position. I work five night shifts a week. I COULD possibly transfer to another position... but if my DON tells me when I meet with him tomorrow, that I'm stuck in that exact position for at least the next 8 months or so due to some disciplinary action which I believe I posted about previously =)... I don't know. I am very, very depressed working in this position. I have even had very fleeting suicidal thoughts, I am so depressed in this position. Don't worry, I'm fine now and I AM fine in general, but I do get extremely frustrated...

This new job... it's in a larger psych hospital, working for a reputable company in the Louisville area. It's with a patient population that I enjoy working with very much (geriatric)... my insurance looks like it will cost quite a bit more per pay period, which is a concern... it's a 12 hour shift position....

I'm truly tired of switching jobs, but I hate my current job SO, SO much that it's very tempting to bolt for this new job (which of course hasn't even been offered to me yet, but if it is...). Again, I could POSSIBLY get in a new position at my current job which would be much better hours... however, it would be day shift, which scares the bejeezus out of me... SO used to night shift, and some of the day shift folk at my workplace are not the friendliest...

Don't know what to do!!! My mom thinks I should stay put. My husband def. thinks I need to stay put. Most ppl I work with would tell me to run like the wind. My current job has the most ridiculous turnover rate that I think I've seen.

Thanks! Sorry so long...

[NurseCard, ADN]

Rhia... it's my daughter's first name. =) I don't meet very many Rhiannons, so that's why I was wondering. =)

Anyhoo.... well, I made the decision to stay with the current job. It has ultimately come down to financial issues. The new job would be a nice drive; right now hubby and I are slightly broke until payday, so I unfortunately can't even REALLY afford to drive there tomorrow. Therefore, I emailed the recruiter and told him that I would not be coming to interview at this time, but would appreciate another opportunity sometime in the future, should my circumstances change.

I spoke with my DON this morning, informed him that I'm putting in for the new position, and he said that he would get back with me later on this week. We'll see what happens.

[davebigs]

I think you should never stay in a job for too long if you are not happy there. There is nothing wrong with moving around. Many of my friends are in jobs for years that they really don't like, many are in it for the benefits, close to home, or something like that. I think it takes a lot of courage to move around. Good luck to you whatever decision you make

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I hopped a lot right after I graduated. It's not good to stay at something you hate. I did operating room, head start, health dept, voc rehab, oncology, float pool, admission assessment team all in a 5 year period in different places....and then this little Carolina Wren lighted in Ortho and BINGO I found my 22 year niche.

The salaries were all pretty comparable (except head start) but to the satisfaction point there were times I actually LOVED ortho so much I'd have worked even for no pay.

That's what you look for, this is how you earn your living sure, but this is also how you live your Nursing life and if you aren't satisfied and happy at it, do something about it.

[itsmerae]

i love how you distinctly count every single month....like no you weren't at your job for a "year" it was a "year and one month" lol. i think its funny cuz i do the same thing. im proud of the anything on top of a year. yes, i am a job hopper too.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

Organizations spend a lot money on training staff. It’s been awhile since I crunched the numbers or researched the average amount of time an employee needs to work for an organization before the organization breaks even on their investment (you). One year seems to be the magic number. I have seen 12 months, 18 months, and occasionally have seen 6 months. I think anything one year or greater is good. Life events happen and as such, we are forced to make decisions. There are times when our personalities and values do not closely align with the unit or facility. That is okay. I think the reasons you stated as to why you left positions are acceptable. Psych is a good area. Not a lot of nurses go into the specialty and because of that, they are always looking for nurses.

Good luck either way you decide and remember this…you have to make decisions that are in your best interest because quite honestly, a facility is not making their decisions in your best interest.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

You are not a job hopper.

Nursing and healthcare in general make it impossible to stay in some of these situations...

Of course, you're right, Error.

Nursing is often a crazy biz.

[melosa08]

I'm a little jealous lol. I'm trying to switch positions and only have 9 months of experience is hindering me. Do whatever you need to do to make you happy!

[znor]

Hello, i have a question. if you are unemployed nurse for 2 years, is it possible to go back to your field? i mean i've work as call center agent before and i want to practice my nursing career now. i don't have any experience working in any hospital, and honestly i'm really not sure if i can still remember all the skills of being a nurse

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Z -- Check out nurse refresher programs in your area... if you truly wanna get back into this biz.

Good luck!

[Needles McGee, RN]

I find it amusing that someone said most nurses they know don't stick with positions for very long. Funny, as most nurses I know have worked the same jobs for nearly their entire careers, with my Mom and her friends recently retiring from cardiac critical care after 30+ years. Before that, my Mom and one of her friends worked as LPNs at the same LTCF for 5ish years, one of their friends from back then is STILL working at the LTCF. My husband's aunt worked at a Psych hospital for 40 years. I could go on and on. I think there is a problem among the younger nurse set.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I find it amusing that someone said most nurses they know don't stick with positions for very long. Funny, as most nurses I know have worked the same jobs for nearly their entire careers, with my Mom and her friends recently retiring from cardiac critical care after 30+ years. Before that, my Mom and one of her friends worked as LPNs at the same LTCF for 5ish years, one of their friends from back then is STILL working at the LTCF. My husband's aunt worked at a Psych hospital for 40 years. I could go on and on. I think there is a problem among the younger nurse set.

And what would that problem be? Grouping all younger nurses into a "set" and propose they have a problem is beyond disrespectful.

You personally know a few nurses that stayed in the same position. That's fine for them.

Other nurses seek out opportunities for many reasons. Most often , they are leaving the manager and not the position, or need a change of scene,or there are no opportunities to move up.. etc.

That desire to learn, grow, and challenge themselves should be appreciated!

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

What about travel nurses? They "job hop" every couple months and the hospitals often prefer them over regular staff.