burning bridges?

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

Hello! I started a new grad position in October for one of the larger hospital systems in the valley. It is not my dream job (of course), it's med-surg, but it is a foot in the door. I have only been off orientation for a few shifts.I have also been working since March at an outpatient family planning clinic.

I just received a call for an interview in L&D, which is where I really want to be. However, it's with abrazo, which I'm not too sure about. I'm concerned that if I am offered the job I will ruin any future possibility of going back to my current hospital system, as I want to work at another one of their hospitals in the high risk L&D.

Have any of you left a job so soon, and gone back? I would hate to burn bridges, but also hate to pass a chance in L&D.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

My advice: never burn your bridges because the grass is not always greener on the other side. What if you don't like the other hospital system? It may be hard to go back to your med-surg position. Being a new grad, I'm sure they have already put in some valuable time and effort into training you. Leaving this soon would be burning a bridge, imo.

[MsBruiser]

Hello! I started a new grad position in October for one of the larger hospital systems in the valley. It is not my dream job (of course), it's med-surg, but it is a foot in the door. I have only been off orientation for a few shifts.I have also been working since March at an outpatient family planning clinic.

I just received a call for an interview in L&D, which is where I really want to be. However, it's with abrazo, which I'm not too sure about. I'm concerned that if I am offered the job I will ruin any future possibility of going back to my current hospital system, as I want to work at another one of their hospitals in the high risk L&D.

Have any of you left a job so soon, and gone back? I would hate to burn bridges, but also hate to pass a chance in L&D.

It is a complicated and really good question. In my experience, you are not burning bridges with your current health system. I ditched a job only 6 months after an orientation (Critical Care at that - long, and expensive) and have received job interviews at "sister" hospitals in the same system. Why? I had the specific skills those facilities were looking for...Unless you steal something or get a big "do not rehire" stamp on your file 'cause you are psycho - all will be well. Go where your heart is. Med Surg is blood money.

Abrazo is a stepping-stone kind of place (IMHO), yes. Get the necessary experience, and I bet the high-risk unit would consider you. It may sound difficult to believe, but managers have a difficult time finding good, qualified people who interview well. If you look good on paper from Abrazo, you will get the interview regardless.