Advice about switching specialties to ER

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I'm a new nurse and have been working in a postpartum unit for about a year. I feel like I'm not getting much experience...I hardly ever use any of my clinical skills and most of the time I find myself bored out of my mind. I recently got offered a job in the emergency department in another town. However, I do have a contract with the hospital I'm at now. I honestly don't know how much longer I can keep working in postpartum though. One of the reasons I went into nursing was to actually enjoy my job, but I find myself dreading to go to work. I hear all my nursing school friends talk about how much they love their jobs and I just wish I could say the same. So now my dilemma is do I accept the new job offer? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

PP can be dull!

How much longer is left on your contract and what is the financial penalty if you leave now?

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Over a year...which might not seem like a long time, but it's killing me going to work and having absolutely nothing going on. The financial penalty is pretty steep, but the hospital that gave me the new job offer is willing to pay it off. So it's not going to cost me anything.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You made a deal. You signed the contract. There is a certain honor/maturity involved in owning up to ones responsibilities. If you do break the contract, even though the facility offering to pay for you to leave..... will never forget you broke your promise. The facility you left will not forgive you for reneging on your promise.....I am sure they will not give you a good reference nor will you be up for rehire.

Have you asked to move within the facility or department? That you want to learn all aspects and would LOVE to work the L/D area or NICU/nursery? Have you asked to go to the ED at the facility where you are?

If the working conditions were unsafe or you were in danger without a doubt...leave. Because you are bored? Not so much...... Sometimes as professionals we need to own our responsibilities then move on.

I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Oh boy. On the one hand I would say employers have no loyalty, but on the other hand you did make a commitment and they have a big investment in you.

Then again, you could croak next week and then what?

If you do this just go in knowing that you will have completely burned your bridges and if things do not work out at the new job (they suck, you suck whatever) then you may be in for a very hard time finding another job anywhere because they will see 2 burned bridges and if there is any better candidate you will be screwed.

Big decision time.

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Go for it! Take the new job. Believe me hospitals are cold toward nurses, so u better worry about yourself. The hospital will have a new grad working in your spot next week!

So, take the new job..............that way you wont have to wonder ....what if?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Pediatrics, Telemetry, ER.

This is a tough one-- ONLY because of your contract. I totally agree, I would hate to be stuck in post-partum. Not my cup of tea. I did med/surg/peds and telemetry for 2 years before I transferred to ER over a year ago and it was the best decision I ever made! I did appreciate my time on the floor though. I learned a heck of a lot about time management and basic patient care which benefits me to this day. Why don't you have a sit down with your director and tell her how you are feeling? I am telling you, no manager wants to have someone working for them who hates their job. It leads to poorer patient care and decreased patient satisfaction, and we all know how important that is nowadays! I say, if it is a huge issue, stick it out for another year and then go to where you will be happy. If not, go for it! Obviously the financial deal is not an issue since the new hospital is willing to pay your contract off. I wish you the best of luck and let me know what you decide!

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These job decisions are tough! The new opportunity sounds pretty sweet and, if you don't like what you're doing now, the best case scenario is that you love the ER and the new job, and the worst case scenario (I guess) is that you dislike that job too. I don't have advice for you but I'm going through a difficult decision myself and, in the end, I'm going to wind up going with my gut. I don't know if the grass is greener but what do you have to lose if it's not?

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Wow! Go for it. Really you have satisfied your contract by paying the penalty, and what you have learned will help delivering that baby where the mom didn't even know she was pregnant. :-) a year is a long time to be in a job you dislike so. Who knows when another opportunity to work in an er that pays your penalties will come along. You will learn so much and really benefit more patients in the long run. It's not really a moral decision to me, it's business, which is what they would tell you when they make cut backs and send you home early to save the budget. Just be up front in your transition and don't burn bridges, you have every right to further your career. Best of luck.

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Thanks for everyone's responses! It gave me a lot to think about. I talked to my manager this morning & she said she understood. She even asked if I wanted to stay prn so in case things don't work out, I could always come back! I honestly think this is just too good of an offer to pass up. I mean how many times do you hear hospitals telling you they'll pay off your contract & pay for you to get your masters (I forgot to mention that earlier). I won't be quiting right away, that way my manager has time to find a replacement and train her. Thanks for everyone's input! :)

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

How do you like the ED?

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