Does this make me a job-hopper?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

Should I leave a job I’m not happy with after 2 months? How poorly will this look on my resume? I transferred from my last job to come work closer to home and I can’t transfer back for 6 months. I already have a job offer (I was told about this job, did not actively seek it). I don’t know what to do. I’ve been a nurse 2 years and I’m a millennial. I hate to be labeled a job hopper, but I’m afraid to miss an opportunity and stay somewhere I’m not happy. I’m not happy because there is no teamwork, the nurses are not welcoming, and I wasn’t properly trained on a lot of stuff. I don’t feel comfortable asking questions. I go home feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. I am also usually taking care of 3 ICU patients and sometimes all of them have COVID. I’ve done 1 year in my first nursing job, 1 year at my second and then transferred here. It was a very big mistake to transfer. My current job doesn’t allow dropping down to flexi/PRN hours.

Dear Sad, Anxious and Overwhelmed,

It's never ideal to quit a job you just started, personally or professionally.  It's very disappointing to realize your shiny new job was a mistake and you have to start over.

If you are certain the situation is not redeemable, submit your resignation personally to your manager and give 2 weeks notice. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and avoid saying anything negative. Your leaving does pose a hardship for her, and she may be gracious, or she may not.

Leaving one job after a very short tenure is a one-off and doesn't make you a job-hopper, but you are coming close with your 2 previous jobs lasting just one year. The grass is not always greener, and often personal growth comes through sticking out tough situations. Sometimes you can get focused on one positive aspect, such as working closer to home, to the exclusion of other, not-so-positive aspects.

Reflect on what you could have done differently as far choosing your jobs. During interviews, ask about turnover and workload. If possible, always try to ask an insider about the culture of the unit, the teamwork, and the manager.

Take it as a learning experience and move forward, hopefully the wiser.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth