Does it pay to job-hop?

[paddler]

I've never worked as a union nurse, so this topic does not apply to union situations. But I have to say that in my 8 years as a nurse I seem to get better pay simply leaving my current job than sticking it out with my employers and waiting/repeatedly asking for a raise... And I must divulge that I have always received great performance evaluations, "Exceeds expectations", so it is not a matter of I suck too much to pay me more.

For example, in an inappropriate workplace conversation (where I am a brand new employee) started by another nurse, she decided to share with me how she has worked for the company for 9 years as an LPN. She then got her RN degree and has the same essential position with the company but only got $2 more an hour. And the sum total of this increase in pay is $3 LESS an hour than another co-worker who is a brand new RN grad (I know because he is my husband, and I know his wage and she told me hers). Of course I didn't tell her this information, but seriously? Why would a company do that? Does it just pay better to hop from job to job every couple of years than to be loyal to one company?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my experience, unless you negotiate for a top-dollar wage at the very beginning of your employment for a company, I have always gotten more money through job-hopping and staying with no particular workplace for more than a couple of years.

Some people will state that job-hopping makes the worker look unstable. However, remaining at the same employer for 20+ years, being happy with piddly raises, and not seeking change can easily make that worker look stagnant.

In a nutshell, I would not be earning much money if I had remained with my very first nursing workplace because the yearly wage increases only amounted to 2 to 3 percent, which results in raises of a few cents each year. After I hopped jobs, I was offered $4 more per hour at the new facility for the same type of work.

[mindlor]

It ALWAYS pays to job hop. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I think there's a difference between moving on to a new job every few years for better pay vs short term job hopping. I wouldn't call a new job every 3ish years job hopping. A new job every year, however, would raise some flags with prospective employers.

Prior to going in to nursing I switched jobs for better schedules, more money, because I didn't like the work, etc. I was working low wage retail and food service where high turnover is expected but my resume still became a bit of a liability for me. Plus, it made it difficult to get credit because I didn't appear "stable" to creditors. I'm not going to make the same mistake in nursing. Besides, I think there are skills and experience to be gained remaining in one place for more than a short, honeymoon period.