Changing Job less than 1 yr after graduation

[videoguru27]

I graduated with my BSN back in May. After passing my NCLEX I started orientation as a critical care nurse on the cardiac floor I had my preceptorship on and was kept on a tech for the next year until I graduated. My time on this floor as an "RN" has only been since August, but most of that has actually been orientation.

I am not very satisfied with my time here and have started to entertain the idea of moving hospitals, but many of the similar positions offered at competing hospitals post requiring 2yrs experience for Critical Care Cardiac nurses.

What are my options as a "new graduate"? Is this something I really have to grin and bear for the next year?

[commonsense]

I understand what everyone is saying and I do appreciate your input. I have one last question: when applying for some of the jobs, just to see what they say, can I count any of my time as a tech/intern before i graduated? i don't expect i could, just wanted to ask.

You can't count your time as an intern/tech as nursing experience, but you can count it as work experience. The experience won't be as solid as actual nursing experience, but it's better than nothing.

[gigglestarsRN]

I think I can relate to where you are at....I had problems as a new grad in the ER I was hired into, also feeling lucky as a new grad to get the chance. I was there 5 months and nearing the end of orientation but did not feel it was a safe environment and many others who had worked there or knew of the place confirmed my fears. I was worried I would not be properly supported and working in the toughtest ed in town in the high acute area. I decided to leave, was scared to do it without a job lined up, and had a few leads. I ended up getting an interview the next week and landed the job. I am getting 8 weeks orientation and my new nurse manager couldn't be better--all this without even asking for a long orientation, she just knew of the place I was at, and simply stated she wanted to do right by me in this new job. I feel blessed beyond words for this new chance and recognize it is not always the case and that jobs are scarce, but the relief i felt knowing I never had to go back to that er...priceless. As others said if it is unsafe, you have good reason, if it is simply a change of heart, and you live in an area where it is hard to come by a job, it may be better stick it out. Also consider that the only job you find may be in a non-specialty area so weigh that in with out much working critical care means to you.

Good luck!

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I left my first RN nursing job after 7 months. It is NOT the end of the world if you leave. I have had five interviews and 2 offers after leaving. When I'm asked while I left, I am 100 percent honest with them. I don't bash the other job but I do say that it was not a supportive unit.

Good luck.

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

Do you have any idea how many nurses would love to be in your position right now? I can't even get a darn interview in a hospital... Many job ads want nurses who have ER or Critical Care experience. I think you should stay where you are for at least a year.

[GM2RN]

I understand what everyone is saying and I do appreciate your input. I have one last question: when applying for some of the jobs, just to see what they say, can I count any of my time as a tech/intern before i graduated? i don't expect i could, just wanted to ask.

Not only does time as a tech/intern not count as experience, but orientation doesn't usually count either. I agree with most of the others and highly recommend you stay put for awhile. If you don't, at least have a solid offer for a new job before giving notice.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

options? med /surg.

Yuck.

It sure won't be any better than where you are now. It will be even worse.

Stay put. The grass is not greener on the other side.

Even non- new grads are having difficulty moving up in jobs.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Can you tell us more about the problems you're running into in your current job? What don't you like? Are things changing for the worse since your time there as a student?

I hope you find a situation that makes you happy!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

The job market is bad all around, AEB all of the threads you can find here. And as you've seen, other jobs are looking for nurses with years' of experience--that means the chances of you getting considered for them are very slim.

In addition, being a new grad with less than a year's experience is often worse than being a new grad with no experience. First, they'll wonder why you left before the year is up and wonder if you will do the same to them. Second, you don't qualify for jobs requiring at least a year of experience--you'll be considered a new grad. Third, even though you'd still be considered a new grad, the fact that you've worked for several months means you probably no longer qualify for a lot of new grad programs.

And for the record, time spent working as a tech or intern does not equate to RN experience. Healthcare experience, yes. Will it help satisify the "2 years' RN experience" requirement of the jobs you are looking at? No.

Your first year in nursing is going to be rough wherever you are and no matter what specialty you pick. Unless you are truly miserable or have a guaranteed job lined up, it's better to stay where you are and get your year or two (even better) of experience. You may regret leaving sooner than that.

Best of luck whatever you decide.