Quitting 1st job, less than six months?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Specializes in ER.

I'm barely off orientation and I want to quit my job in a small ICU. I've been offered a position in an ER. The ER isn't a trauma center but then they really don't need to be one because there's no one near then. The ratio is 5 patients per nurse and 1 paramedic per 10 patients.

The ER is about an hour to an hour and ten minutes away and the ICU is 30 minutes. Both are full time.

I miss the ER feel to it. The ICU is okay but the drama is killing me. Everyone is gossiping and the cliques are annoying. I am happier when I purposely talk to no one in the ICU. That is the complete opposite of how I was when I worked in an ER before becoming a nurse.

So now it comes down to do I want to quit? Yes. Will it look bad? Yes. Will I be happier? Maybe.

has anyone left their first job so early? Did it completely burn them? I plan on staying for a long time if I get accepted to the ER job whereas this job had been the plan for 2 or 3 years.

If that is where your heart is leading you, to the ER, I would say take the position!

Do what you love to do, don't tough it out because you feel obligated to the unit. Eventually you will end up burnt out and resentful.

Besides, who knows when the next time an opportunity like this will arise!

Congrats on the offer btw!

Specializes in ER.

I accepted the ER position. I am super glad that I did. There feels like there is a huge weight off of my chest.

Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
I accepted the ER position. I am super glad that I did. There feels like there is a huge weight off of my chest.

I would tell your old boss about reasons of why you wanted to leave because of all of the drama.

I always leave feedback.

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
I accepted the ER position. I am super glad that I did. There feels like there is a huge weight off of my chest.

Congratulations! I'm so jealous! How does a new grad RN get their first job in the ICU and then moves over to an ER? Do you have EMT or Paramedic experience?

Specializes in ER.

I worked as an EMT and then a paramedic on a private ambulance that did 911 transports also, worked in an ER as a paramedic, and was a volunteer on a fire department that did mostly primary 911 calls. I did my preceptorship in the ICU. I talked to some of my coworkers who told me that I shouldn't view it as a failure and that I should try ICU down the line as sometimes it's the people and environment. That was the summary of their advice.

I will leave feedback too. I need to turn in some forms and HR always sends a letter asking information and feedback.

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