how long in your first job?

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:nurse: hey there. just wondering how long everyone spent in their first job? i've heard mixed advice about how long is a good length of time to spend there.

i'm taking a year out so hoping to work for around 8 or 9 months up to that time.

i know doing a year in the job might look better, but it's a case of do the year out a bit later and work for a while first, or else do the year out in 6 months time and then be out of practice for a year and a half.

what did everyone else do??

thanks for your help, :heartbeat

Specializes in Cardiolgy.

I've been working on my first ward for nearly four years now. I'm not really doing the same job, as AfC was brought in my role ( as a band 5) has grown and developed. 4 years ago I was learning to have a team of patients. Now I often co- ordinate the busy ward, manage complaiants as well as taking a team, and preceptoring the new band 5s!

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my first job i stayed for 8 months, it was in community hospital, so mainly rehab, it was a good start and i enjoyed it but wanting a further challenge i changed jobs. I am now working on a an acute medical ward with diabetes speciality and have been there for 8 months.

If I were you I'd get some experience now, and not worry that it won't be a full year in your first job. good luck with job hunting

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oooh this is great advice. i didn't think applying for jobs would be this daunting. it's nice to know it's expected that your first job might not be where you really want to be. i've been SO worried about having to come back from my year out to face people who would wonder why i spent a year away from nursing. i'm already having to defend myself against some staff who think it's a bad move, and it's so unnerving because it's the only reason i'm put off doing it. so to hear that someone would value this from a future employee is amazingly reassuring to me. i love nursing, i can't wait to get into my nursing career and call myself a staff nurse. thank you for your lovely comments, they've made me feel really positive. i just hope i get to be interviewed by folks like you!!!!

Hi!

Just want to wish you good luck in your job hunting, You will be fine, and I am sure you will find a suitable job in no time, if your passionate about nursing it will come through in the interview :) I left nursing for 7 months after 4 months ofbeing newly qualified, in the interview they may ask what you learnt in your gap year and how it has improved you as a person, :) just answer it as honest as poss :)

Tina x

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Specializes in medical.

aww thanks guys! you're all really supportive. I've got an interview in October for the gap year program and I'm applying for lots of jobs in the mean time. I've had a good think about how I'll link the year out into my interviews etc and now I'm not worried at all about it!! :nurse:

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Specializes in ITU, Surg, District & School Nurse.

Our school told us to do 6 months in our first post to consolidate skills and learn to run a ward then move on to something completely different. I get bored after 2 years, -well actually my shortest job was 2 days:bugeyes: although I have had 2 jobs for 5-6 years as it suited the family but I was soooo bored towards the end. I wish trusts were more flexible with part timers, Im sure they would retain more nurses if they were. :spbox:

Anyway minnie mouse, you go have a great time at Disney, what a fantastic life experience, there is plenty time to be a nurse

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