Bouncing around

[patty89]

Hi everyone!

I will be starting nursing school in the winter (woo-hoo!). My question is this, does it look bad when you are applying for nursing jobs if you "bounced around" from specialty to specialty in the past? I have worked as a medical assistant for the last 6 years. The first 4 years I worked in a clinic in family practice. I then took a job at the hospital in the OB/GYN department and I was there for 2 years. I recently moved 4 hours up north where I will be attending school and I was hired in a pediatric clinic where I will be working up until school starts. Do you think the fact that I bounced around a bit and wasnt consistent with my specialty will look bad down the road?

Thank you in advance for your replies!

Happy Thursday!

Patty.

[RunBabyRN]

I can't imagine that would hurt you. Few people spend 20 years doing the same thing anymore.

[TLizS]

In my opinion most nurses (or the ones I know anyway) don't graduate 100% positive of what area they want to work in....that comes with experience. those that were sure often had to take jobs in other areas to gain experience to get the job they wanted in the specialty they desired. I don't think experience in other areas will hurt you. I think what hurts the most is changing jobs often (not specifically in this field but in ANY field). but if you have an explanation (moving, school, etc....) not just well I get bored easily and like to change jobs, then you'll be ok. and being at the same place 4 years, and 2 years....I don't consider that job hopping. I think a wide range of experience is helpful in the nursing field.....but again....thats just my opinion

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I would not call that "bouncing around" since you spent a good amount of time in each area, enough to reasonably think that you devoted your time to them before moving on. If you changed jobs every six months, that would be a different story. I think your broad experience with different patient populations will be an asset.