Published Oct 30, 2017
AdM1994
7 Posts
I am in a nurse residency program that started in June 2017. The program is one year and I have a one year commitment after that. I love my job but very homesick and want to move closer to family. Will I be able to find another job as a new nurse if I break my contract and quit the nurse residency program?
Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN
939 Posts
If you break your contract chances are you will owe some type of monetary compensation to the institution for the time and money they invested in you.
If I were in your shoes I would stick it out and plan to visit family or have them visit you more often.
Nurse SMS, MSN, RN
6,843 Posts
Yes. It will hurt you.
NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN
1,599 Posts
I'm not sure how big the company is that you are working for but is there one closer to home? I doubt they would let you transfer right away but I've seen new grads in these type of programs where I work transferring to different units within six months (2 year commitment). I don't know about separate facilities though.
If you do leave it will probably hurt you if you don't secure another position first. Companies do extremely thorough background checks. They will contact all of your employers from the past 7-10 years and ask if you are rehirable. They can also check you tax history to see where you have worked in the past, so they can tell if you have omitted any past employer that may not speak kindly of you.
klone, MSN, RN
14,856 Posts
Don't do it. 8 months is not that long in the grand scheme.
MJB2010
1,025 Posts
Try and stick it out. It really is important, and you could have a really hard time finding another job if you do not stick it out. I might be dating myself here, but the goal used to be at least a year at your first job if you have any hopes of finding a new one after. Can you take a few days off or have someone come visit from home? Find a new support network where you live. There are lot of new grads who would do anything to get into a new grad program, so try to step back and look objectively what you would tell someone else in your shoes. Can you change shifts maybe meet some new folks, change scenery?
JKL33
6,953 Posts
You love your job...I have to recommend focusing on ways you could make staying work. A solid residency in a place with a good culture will literally serve you well the rest of your career. It will be the foundation on which you build for years to come. I know 1.5+ years seems like a long time but I have to believe that if you could brainstorm ways to stay connected with family and to find some supports in your current city, the time will end up going by so quickly.
I know it may be difficult to imagine right now, but there may come a point in life where you have much less mobility practically-speaking, so overall these are good experiences to have as a young adult.
I'm sorry you are feeling homesick. I felt that way when I went away to college. Everything's going to be okay...but please try not to make choices when you're in the "depths" of this that very well may be disappointing later on.
Here's a (hug) ~
Julius Seizure
1 Article; 2,282 Posts
For my first job (a nurse residency), I moved several states away to a place where I didn't know anybody. The first year was pretty lonely. I'm not great at socializing on my own and finding new friends. Right around the one year mark was when it got better, and I ended up staying there for almost 6 years before moving on to a new location. Try to give it more time. Being homesick is natural, but I think its worth it in the end to give it a longer chance. I know that I am so glad that I did.