Feeling Bad Looking for Another Job

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anyone else feel bad when they are thinking about changing jobs? Even when I wasn't a nurse, I always felt so bad/guilty about looking for another job.

I've been at my current job for ~2 years and there is little to no chance of advancement. No clinical ladder so incentive to better yourself is limited. Little to no reimbursement for tuition, continuing education, etc. The pay is also the worst in the area, with new grads at other hospitals making more than those of us who have been with this place for 2 years.

I'm considering applying at another hospital that offers much more money, better benefits, opportunities for advancement, etc, but I feel SO GUILTY for thinking about leaving.

(Please excuse any typos. I worked 16 hours yesterday and only have about 4 hours sleep right now. Another 16 hours today)

Specializes in school nurse.

Believe me, to the facility you are just another FTE. They certainly wouldn't feel "guilty" if they laid you off...

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Heccccccckkkkkkkkk NO! Keep looking; get ta steppin'!!!!

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The days of employee/employer loyalty are long over. Believe me, they will lay you off in a heartbeat if needed and not look back. It is well known one of the only ways to advance in nursing is to change employers. No need to feed guilty.

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

Guilty? No. I don't count myself as that important to my employer. They will replace me in a heartbeat or let me go according to what is best for them, without one bit of guilt. Therefore, I will do what is best for me as far as finding employment that suits me and the needs of my family. :-)

You've given them your time and your talents. With nothing to shoot for you would just be stagnating. At this point you owe them nothing. No need to feel guilty. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Specializes in Critical care.

It's business- you look out for yourself because the hospital sure isn't. Let your feet do the talking and walk. Find a new job, give your notice, work out your full notice, and don't look back. Good luck!

Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

No need to feel guilty. You go to work to support yourself and have a fulfilling career. If those things can be better accomplished elsewhere, go for it! All you need to do for your current employer is provide decent notice and finish your time there. Best of luck to you!

Specializes in PACU.

I would not feel guilty at all. You gave them 2 years, enough time to recoup the money spent on hiring and training (assuming they did orient you properly, if they didn't all the less guilt).

It's time to think about you, if you can place yourself with a company that has better benefits then you should do so.

Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars!

(edited: I'm hoping you understand the phrase above... if not Urban Dictionary: Do not pass Go! Do not collect 2

I can kind of understand feeling guilty about leaving, but like others have said, they would not have a problem letting you go if they needed to. No one can fault you for wanting to do better for your career and yourself personally, most of us would do that without thinking much of it. Also, you don't have a different job yet, so worry about leaving once you actually accept a job offer. There is no shame in looking at other jobs at all, as I do it occasionally myself. Good luck!

The closest thing to a genuine revelation I have ever had is realising this:

We choose our reactions.

Take a moment, look in your emotional playbook and choose a new outlook.

Personally, I'd reccommend getting 'excited about moving on'. That's always worked well for me!

I know you all are right. I guess I'll work on changing a copy of my resume as this organization is very specific about what they want; more details not less. If I can get it done in time for the midnight deadline, great, if not, it will be ready the next time something with them becomes available.

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