Changing jobs before 1 year's stay:Anyone else done it?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello fellow graduates,

I'm just curious to see if anyone else has taken a similar path as I. I started working on my med-surg floor during NCLEX testing and stayed there about 7 months before getting my license. Then, after 6 months on the job as an RN, I have moved into a specialty area that always interested me during school and work as a PCA...hospice.

Is there anyone else out there that either left for want of a specialty or because Med-surg just was too much to take for full time? Other reasons are certainly welcome :p

Interested to know,

JacelRN

Thanks everyone for the great replies,

It's nice to know I'm not alone in the world of nursing. :)

I can't see how some nurses stay in jobs they HATE. They complain about it all shift long and then do nothing to change their situations. I can however, understand how switching jobs can be scary. But I actually find it exciting to start fresh somewhere else, learn new skills and meet new co-workers and patients. If that is frowned upon, I don't see why.

I do wish there were some type of internship for new grads. Perhaps to try on different departments-much like a real-life clinical. That way, a new nurse wouldn't be penalized or even looked down upon for trying new areas. I bet it would help in retention as well.

Anyone know of a program like this? :rolleyes:

JacelRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do wish there were some type of internship for new grads. Perhaps to try on different departments-much like a real-life clinical. That way, a new nurse wouldn't be penalized or even looked down upon for trying new areas. I bet it would help in retention as well.

Anyone know of a program like this? :rolleyes:

JacelRN

My hospital in NC offers a program like this. PM me if you're interested. A girl I worked with before said she worked in Albuquerque as a new grad and the univ. hosp. there offered that type of program....she rotated for her first year through L&D/mother-baby/NICU/gyne and LOVED it! I think I would have been very interested in that type of situation.

I also attended a recruitment event in Albuquerque (not the univ. hosp, though) that allowed new grads to work in the float pool until they picked a "home unit", or they could just continue to work float pool. THey oriented you to any unit you worked at.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was at my first job for about 9 months, if memory serves, but proceeded to job hop and ended up with 5 jobs in the first 2 years.

I know, that's a lot. But I'm glad I did it. Sometimes it takes awhile to find what you are truly interested in doing. It sounds like you have that in hospice.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
it's nice to know i'm not alone in the world of nursing. :)

i can't see how some nurses stay in jobs they hate. they complain about it all shift long and then do nothing to change their situations. i can however, understand how switching jobs can be scary. but i actually find it exciting to start fresh somewhere else, learn new skills and meet new co-workers and patients. if that is frowned upon, i don't see why.

as a job-hopper, i am in total agreement. i can't stay where i'm not happy. in the same light, each job is a new experience, that builds on my past experience (even if the job s@#%s). and if it's a different specialty, than i think there's nothing wrong in saying, "that's not the type of job i hoped it would be", or "i still haven't found my niche", or "i'm ready to try something new". i just wish i remembered to say that when i interview and someone comments about the laundry list of jobs i carry with me :chuckle :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's too funny ..."laundry list of jobs I carry with me."

I can only see you as a more well-rounded person. But hey, that's just me.

Unfortunately in this aspect, I will have been an RN for 1 year come February. I have stuck it out in an optional position on my Med-Surg floor for that time period and work Hospice part-time. I guess my time as a new grad is long gone. Even if my hospital offered it, I'm sure I wouldn't be considered. I just wish, in hind sight, that I would have had the opportunity. I think some personalities are better suited to search around. Oh well, maybe someone reading this will benefit from my story.

Listen up new grads, if you have the chance to intern...jump. You'll have the rest of your lives to work in one place. ;)

Have a good day guys and gals,

JacelRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.

I have been at my current job as a charge nurse on a skilled rehab/ LTC unit for 7 months. I work all 3 shifts just trying to find some way to survive it. I sent out 8 resumes this morning..I really dislike my job..or more to the point the sniping and whining that goes with it. I really want a position on a psych unit/Detox..I have also applied for a couple positions as an MDS coordinator, contemplating getting off the floor altogether..already.

Sue

RN

BSN-MSN student

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Government.

I think shift rotation is a joy killer. I can't imagine how you could like any nursing job doing all three shifts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Home Health, MICU, CTICU, LTC.

I left my first job after two weeks. They were not very welcoming. Never even got a schedule until the last day of classroom orientation. No one on my unit knew I was coming on the first day. My name was never on the schedule...I sure hope I get paid!!!!!!!! The person who was to be my preceptor was on sick leave and will be for sometime, so they didn't know who my preceptor would be. My preceptor ended up not being a very nice person, she gave me a bad attitude from day 1. She had me writing up drug cards and a journal. Um...did that in nursing school. I did it though to appease her but felt my time could have been spent better on studying for NCLEX. The 1 1/2 hour commute was awful. And they screwed me on my insurance. I think that about covers it. I got out of there quick. What I learned from the experience: ask questions and don't always take the first job offered to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.

I just switched. I got a job as an admissions/intake RN on a substance abuse/detox unit..and I am absolutely THRILLED!! I am working out a notice at my current job and each shift bring me closer to my last day :) I start my new job monday, I can't wait !!

Sue, RN

BSN-MSN Student

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
I left my first job after two weeks. They were not very welcoming. Never even got a schedule until the last day of classroom orientation. No one on my unit knew I was coming on the first day. My name was never on the schedule...I sure hope I get paid!!!!!!!! The person who was to be my preceptor was on sick leave and will be for sometime, so they didn't know who my preceptor would be. My preceptor ended up not being a very nice person, she gave me a bad attitude from day 1. She had me writing up drug cards and a journal. Um...did that in nursing school. I did it though to appease her but felt my time could have been spent better on studying for NCLEX. The 1 1/2 hour commute was awful. And they screwed me on my insurance. I think that about covers it. I got out of there quick. What I learned from the experience: ask questions and don't always take the first job offered to you.

That would be just horrid! And humiliating! ugh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just switched. I got a job as an admissions/intake RN on a substance abuse/detox unit..and I am absolutely THRILLED!! I am working out a notice at my current job and each shift bring me closer to my last day :) I start my new job monday, I can't wait !!

Sue, RN

BSN-MSN Student

Good for you! :balloons: I'm glad you decided to make the switch. Life's too short to stay in a job you cannot stand. When you said you were a BSN/MSN student are you still in school taking Master's courses while working in the abuse/detox unit? Or are you all done with school?

Smile123

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.
Good for you! :balloons: I'm glad you decided to make the switch. Life's too short to stay in a job you cannot stand. When you said you were a BSN/MSN student are you still in school taking Master's courses while working in the abuse/detox unit? Or are you all done with school?

Smile123

Hi Smile :)

Yes, I am still in school, carrying 10 credits and working fulltime. I am crazy! I decided it was better to not take any time off. I graduated last May and re-enrolled in school last fall. I just got home from work at 5p. Once my kiddo is settled I will be doing homework until midnight, which is what I do 5-6 nights a week. I'm doing the BSN portion right now then will switch over to the MSN portion.

I loveeeeeeee my new job!!

Sue

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment