Is it a bad idea to quit a job before you have another one secured?

Nurses Career Support

Published

I am wondering how it looks to employers or if it even matters on an application whether you are currently employed or not (assuming it hasn't been years since you last worked)

Specializes in Emergency Department.

I look at it from a practical standpoint. If you have a job and you're looking for a new one, don't quit a job that's providing you at least some kind of income until you've secured your next job. The reason I say this is very simple. If you quit a job before you've got the next one, they can decide you're not a good fit for them and rescind any potential offer they've given you. This leaves you without any job whatsoever and therefore without a paycheck. My current employer knows that I'm going to be looking for a job once I've completed school. They also know that I'm not going to bail out on them without providing them at least the minimum notification so that I preserve my ability to be rehired, should I choose to return to their employ.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yes, it matters. Not very long ago there were employers placing a statement in their job ads not to apply if you are unemployed.

Statistically speaking you are far more likely to find a job when you already have one. Headed to work so no time to find the research for you but it is out there.

Having a job gives you more power to hold out for a job you might actually want rather than grabbing the first job offered because you are running out of money.

From what I read, people tend to be overly optimistic about their ability to land a good job quickly.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

It only matters if you have to support yourself or your family.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I think a current job speaks more of you than not having one, especially for any length of time. If you are employed you must not be so bad that your being fired.

If you have financial security (6+ months worth) then I don't think it's a big deal, but you'll be questioned about any gaps in your employment (at least I always have)

Specializes in Thoracic Cardiovasc ICU Med-Surg.

It is a bad idea.

Specializes in Pedi.

Unless you're independently wealthy, yes. And gaps in employment never look good on a resume. If I look at a resume and see that the applicant hasn't been working as a nurse for months, my likely assumption (and yes it's an assumption and could be wrong) would be that this person was terminated from her previous job.

Specializes in Cardiac step-down, PICC/Midline insertion.

I would definitely get a job first then put in a proper notice. It doesn't matter how long a gap is, a gap in employment is still a gap and it makes you a less attractive candidate.

However, if you have adequate savings for living expenses for a good 3-4 months, and your current job is so bad/stressful that it's negatively impacting your health and well-being, you might be better off getting away from that kind of environment to free yourself up to look for a better job. When asked about the gap in the interview, simply state that after carefully weighing the pros/cons you had to do what you thought was best to preserve your health and mentality, or if it was for ethical reasons, why you felt so strongly about what was taking place--this will show them that you have good character and are a well-balanced individual. Someone who leaves a job without securing another without a very good reason will look like someone who isn't very committed or a reliable employee they can depend on. Training new hires is very expensive, so obviously they want to hire people who plan to invest a good amount of time there.

If you're in an unhealthy or unethical environment but lack savings, just find anything you can that's a decent source of income while you hunt for something else. Gotta do what ya gotta do, but at the same time you have to take care of yourself physically and emotionally while maintaining income.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Yes, it's bad for the following reasons:

1. In this job market, jobs are hard to come by even for experienced nurses. It may be several weeks to several months before you get the next job.

2. The longer you are out of work, the less kindly prospective employers will look upon it. They know it's a tough market, but after a few months they will start wondering WHY you haven't been able to get hired and wonder if it's because of YOU and not the market.

3. As time passes, memories grow dim...long enough and your references may not be able to provide the best refereces they can because they may not remember you very well.

If the current job is truly horrendous and you feel your license is in immediate danger, then by all means quit without having that other job. Otherwise I would try as hard as possible to have another job lined up before leaving this one.

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Never quit a job before you have a new one. Ashton Kutcher said so.

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