My work wife Eleanor and I were discussing coworkers who had left only to return, the so-called "Boomerang Employees".
I specifically noted three relatively new nurses who began their nursing career at Wrongway Regional Medical Center (WRMC) left due to higher pay, better conditions, or a rise in status and returned about a year later. I believe all three found the grass was not greener elsewhere.
The thing that I noticed that was common in all three was that they seemed to be less caring or empathetic toward their jobs and patients upon their return to WRMC. Eleanor attributed this to knowing them as fresh new nurses and seeing them again after the newness wore off.
I disagree. I have a tendency to think that they became more apathetic due to the expenditure of psyche energy as a result of their disappointment.
Or something like that.
What do you think? What are your experiences with Boomerang Coworkers? Have you ever been a Boomerang Employee?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I've never been a boomerang employee, but I have worked with several. Some were well-liked before they left and well-liked when they returned. Some were not well-liked either before they left or after they returned. And then there were those who left because they were sure they were destined for bigger and better things. They moved on to anesthesia school, or NP school or the more prestigious job. And when they came back, they were embarrassed because they had bragged incessantly about how they were destined for bigger and better things, how much money they were going to make, etc, and they had badmouthed their colleagues who stayed. They hadn't made any particular effort to be good at the job before they left because they were so sure it was temporary, and didn't make any particular effort after they returned as well, because they were still too good for the job. Those are the ones I feel sad for.
Never been a boomeranger, once I leave, I don't come back. I've left only one hospital system and I thought long and hard before making my decision. The grass actually was greener on the other side, guess I got lucky.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I have never heard of this term until I read this thread.
Before this date, nor had I, Nature-walker. I was thinking of coworkers who had left WRMC and returned and jotted in my journal "quitters/comebackers" and wondered if there was a term for those leaving and returning to a place of employment. A Google search yielded the term "Boomerang Employees".
There are some studies and articles on this particular group.
WRMC is my longest place of employment, having worked Weed Rover Township Hospital for nearly 7 years, Hazelnut Mental Health Clinic for five, and various other places ranging from 2 months to a few years.
Not having worked at a place for so long, seeing people come and go and return again, I wondered if others might see a pattern as I believe have, or could give me some insight on their own experiences.
Great responses! I plan to read them in more detail and reply as time allows.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I have been a boomerang employee twice. I worked at one nursing home in 2008-2010 and 2013; I also worked at one hospital three times, once as a CNA and twice as a nurse. Obviously loyalty was never my strong suit, and I didn't really care as long as I had a job and co-workers I liked.
My first APRN job was in a large nephrology practice - I worked there for 11.5 years, left to back to the hospital where I had worked for 10 years as an RN, had a horrific experience and came back to the nephrology practice six months later. I was exceedingly fortunate they took me back.
I was a boomerang employee, but never as a nurse. For me, it was about making more money. They can only give you say 3% every year as a raise. Meanwhile, to remain competitive, they raise starting rates for new employees. So staying at one job for a long period of time generally does not pay off.
But leaving and then getting rehired where you can negotiate, does pay off.
I know the working conditions are not better at any other hospital. There are probably worse. Much worse. But, the pay would be much better. I've been offered $5/hr for other hospitals. I do have decent benefits.
My point is, you have to take it all into account and sometimes, depending on your situation, it comes down to the money.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Once upon a time...
Beautiful story, Katie.
It reminded me of something T.S. Eliott wrote:
"Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure that is what you want; whatever you feel, be sure that is what you feel.... We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
People leave workplaces for many reasons. But, unless those reasons are out of their control (move, illness), they're probably confronted with all the reasons they left. I'd figure they'd be itching to move on again, ASAP.
On the other side, perhaps they're just crushed that their new job didn't pan out. They're devastated that nursing isn't what they hoped.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I returned after realizing I preferred my current job as my main gig.
My attitude is definitely more positive.
I find that learning the grass isn't always greener made my attitude toward my former job much more positive.
Cahill Gibran wrote, and I'm probably paraphrasing here but don't care because I'm testing my memory, "Your friend in his absence is clearer to you as the mountain is to the climber from the plain".
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
I've never been a boomerang employee, but I have worked with several. Some were well-liked before they left and well-liked when they returned. Some were not well-liked either before they left or after they returned. And then there were those who left because they were sure they were destined for bigger and better things. They moved on to anesthesia school, or NP school or the more prestigious job. And when they came back, they were embarrassed because they had bragged incessantly about how they were destined for bigger and better things, how much money they were going to make, etc, and they had badmouthed their colleagues who stayed. They hadn't made any particular effort to be good at the job before they left because they were so sure it was temporary, and didn't make any particular effort after they returned as well, because they were still too good for the job. Those are the ones I feel sad for.