Are frequent moves harmful to my career?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 14, 2016

Moving is one thing, job-hopping in one area is another. I come from a military background and was also military myself, so I am used to people coming and going. But at the end of the day, a prospective employer might choose someone else who is equally qualified as you because they could be viewed as a more stable choice, not apt to move away in a couple of years. It's a tough spot to be in.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 14, 2016

Hmmm....It depends too on where you move to. I too was military and married a career military guy (23 years in the Air Force). We moved a lot! It was very easy for me to get a job on base because the expectation was that in 2-3 years I would be moving. In the community, to be honest, I just didn't say that I was a military wife at first because it sometimes was a hindrance.

Now...in the last 20 years I've had two jobs, each for 10 years. However, I'm much older too now...much much older!

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

Honestly, I view job hoping as q6-12 months. 2-3 years doesn't seem too bad. That seems close to what some people spend in a job anyway, despite moving. It does have certain advantages that you can talk up in interviews. It prevents burn out in any one job. It exposes you to a wide variety of patient populations, unit types, hospital cultures, and coworkers. It helps you to work well with a diverse group of people and adapt quickly. It keeps you learning new things and avoiding a "We do it this way because we always have" mentality.

Scrubs_n_sirens, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

Do you think it might make more sense to be an agency nurse and take out contracts wherever is nearby to where you currently live? That way both parties (you and the employer) are on the same page about your long term plans?

nutella, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I moved a lot and I did some job hopping.

Moving due to my husband's job and job hopping because I do not put up with any bs anymore. Of course some employers ask critical questions. The moves are easy to explain and nobody wonders as we are a much more mobile society.

The job hopping part - I just do not elaborate and usually say that I looked for a different opportunity to accommodate my family or being in school. I never talk negatively about a previous employer in interviews.

In my opinion, it is important that you prioritize what is important to you. Your personal happiness is important and not only your work-life. If you work 1-2 years at one job and have to move due to your spouse I would not think it is a big problem. No realistic managers will expect nurses to sit on one job forever. There are also national companies or companies within a larger system, which can make it easier to move around. If things go south with your boyfriend you can at least say you traveled..

If you have doubts about the importance of the relationship or you want to 100% focus on your career, than find a job you really want and stick with it and try remote relationship to see how that goes.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I know the general consensus on AN is job hopping is bad. Moving because of your spouse is not the same thing, and easy enough to explain in an interview. 1-2 years is probably average for nurses these days.

The days of landing a job and working there until retirement are sadly over. Employers (generally speaking) do little to nothing to maintain employee loyalty anymore, and create hostile and unfavorable working environments. As a professional, IMHO, if your employer sucks, and you're offered something better somewhere else, hop away! Of course you don't want your resume to show 3 jobs in one year or something like that.. you definitely want to try and give any position a good go at it.. but I wouldn't bat an eye after 12 months to 2 years at the same employer.

In the interest of full disclosure.. I "job hopped" until I landed the job I went to nursing school to get (school nurse).. I am planning on staying in school nursing at least until my kids are off at college, but that's not to say I won't hop my way to a different school in the next few years.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 14, 2016

In general, I agree with the previous posters that moving because of significant other's job requirement is different from "job hopping." However, frequent movers are not as desirable as employees because the employer does not get a good return on their investment -- and the costs of frequent RN turnover and orientation are quite. That is a reality you cannot escape.

If you choose to follow your boyfriend and move around a lot ...

1. Be prepared to explain your short-term job history in the future. Hiring managers may not consider hiring you if you don't have a good explanation for it.

2. Realize that it will probably compromise the types of jobs you will be able to get in the first few years of your career. You'll probably be able to overcome the spotty job history in the long run, but the pursuit of your goals will probably be delayed a bit and you will have to make compromises.

3. Consider getting married. If your relationship is serious enough to compromise your career for .... then it should be serious enough to consider making a commitment. And "moving because of my husband's career requirements" sounds much better to an employer than, "I was following a boyfriend." Also, if you are going to compromise your career so that he can pursue HIS career goals, he should be willing to provide you with some legal/financial support -- health insurance, retirement, etc. If he is not willing to do that, you've got relationship problems that you need to think about before you make career sacrifices.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

In general, I agree with the previous posters that moving because of significant other's job requirement is different from "job hopping." However, frequent movers are not as desirable as employees because the employer does not get a good return on their investment -- and the costs of frequent RN turnover and orientation are quite. That is a reality you cannot escape.
If you choose to follow your boyfriend and move around a lot ...
1. Be prepared to explain your short-term job history in the future. Hiring managers may not consider hiring you if you don't have a good explanation for it.
2. Realize that it will probably compromise the types of jobs you will be able to get in the first few years of your career. You'll probably be able to overcome the spotty job history in the long run, but the pursuit of your goals will probably be delayed a bit and you will have to make compromises.
3. Consider getting married. If your relationship is serious enough to compromise your career for .... then it should be serious enough to consider making a commitment. And "moving because of my husband's career requirements" sounds much better to an employer than, "I was following a boyfriend." Also, if you are going to compromise your career so that he can pursue HIS career goals, he should be willing to provide you with some legal/financial support -- health insurance, retirement, etc. If he is not willing to do that, you've got relationship problems that you need to think about before you make career sacrifices.

This is all incredibly excellent advice.

AutumnApple · Jun 21, 2016

In my opinion, no, it won't hurt at all. Once you tell them why your resume shows you hopping around, it should cease to be a concern. Except for one thing: They now know you might only be with them for a couple years too.

The only 'damage' I see you receiving from it all is you might have to accept a position or two that is less than ideal. What I mean is, you will more than likely find a job but it'll be with someone desperate to fill off shifts (night shifts) or some other thing.