Getting antsy...is this normal? RN for two years

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 9, 2011

I've been an RN for two years now and have had two RN jobs, both in critical care units of different hospitals. I left my first job d/t an incredibly unprofessional and inappropriate manager. While I really like my current job, I'm getting antsy being in a hospital setting, 'moving up' is out of the question as I enjoy direct patient care far too much to get away from that and my personality is hardly one of a supervisor/manager (besides the fact that I'm too new in nursing to be considered for that)
My question is, is it okay to jump around in the first few years to figure out where my sweet spot is? I've recently been really considering home health care. I despise working daylight in the hospital so I've been on nights for over a year and am ready for a change but know that hospital daylight is just not for me. I really want to find my place before I get married next year and have a family after that or should I just enjoy the fact that nursing gives me such an array of opportunities and take them as they come?
I just don't want to start looking like a 'job hopper' in 5 years to potential employers.

I used to travel nurse. I was worried about this after going staff during the poor economic times. I was very unahappy with the job I landed coming out of Travel Nursing.

I can't say where I heard it or anything, but I've heard this in more than one place:

The timeline is 2 yrs each position. If you spend at least 2 years at each position, you are safe. If you are unhappy, gut it out for 2 yrs then make the change. You can defend wanting a new position and say "My former unit was great, just not right for me" if you gave it two years to work.

After exactly two years on my old unit, I transfered to my new one that I'm on now. I was asked once why I transfered, almost matter of factly, and my answer was never questioned.

porterwoman · May 9, 2011

I think I've heard that it takes about 2 years to "pay for" the orientation costs of a new nurse. I could be totally wrong about that--any managers know more?

I get antsy too after I've reached a plateau in my learning on a unit. I've tried to find ways to branch out to keep things fresh while staying on my home unit.

With the big transition coming up in your life, it might be a good idea to switch to a new job sooner rather than later. You have already learned that you get antsy, so I would go into it knowing that will most likely happen again and you can plan for it. For me, learning something new always helps relieve the doldrums and refreshes me to practice at a new level. You could sit for a certification exam, or plan to after the required hours in your new speciality. You could become a BLS instructor. You could teach; clinical instructors for nursing students are in demand; nurses are also needed to teach CNA classes, and the requirements are generally just 2 yrs of nursing experience. Are you a charge nurse on your unit? You say you're not a manager type, but sometimes it's good to learn things we think we're not cut out for. And, always a good one--you can go back to school.

I regularly pick up extra shifts outside my home unit (also critical care). It helps me appreciate what a good unit I work on and actually helps improve my job satisfaction. If you like the unit you're on, what is it that you like? What will you miss? What will you be glad to say goodbye to forever? Just some things to think about. I guess I would say, if you really like where you are, just feel a little dull about it, think about some ways to learn more & maybe stay put. And, if you really just need a change of pace/setting/population/coworkers, go for it, you've been on the unit for a while. I would plan to stay in the next position for at least 2 years.

Best of luck.

imanedrn · May 9, 2011

I've been an RN for two years now and have had two RN jobs, both in critical care units of different hospitals. I left my first job d/t an incredibly unprofessional and inappropriate manager. While I really like my current job, I'm getting antsy being in a hospital setting, 'moving up' is out of the question as I enjoy direct patient care far too much to get away from that and my personality is hardly one of a supervisor/manager (besides the fact that I'm too new in nursing to be considered for that)
My question is, is it okay to jump around in the first few years to figure out where my sweet spot is? I've recently been really considering home health care. I despise working daylight in the hospital so I've been on nights for over a year and am ready for a change but know that hospital daylight is just not for me. I really want to find my place before I get married next year and have a family after that or should I just enjoy the fact that nursing gives me such an array of opportunities and take them as they come?
I just don't want to start looking like a 'job hopper' in 5 years to potential employers.

My experience was different than most. Like you, I'm incredibly antsy. I was even moreso before finding ER. So here's what happened to me:

Jan-Oct 2008: med/surg, infectious disease

HATED it, so applied for another job, interviewed, hired, left this one. (Also did some home health for a few months.)

Nov-Feb 2008: med/surg/ortho

Wanted to move to a new city, applied, interviwed, hired, left this one.

Feb-May 2009: med/surg/nephro

Things didn't work out in new city. At the same time, a friend new someone in ER, got me an interview, got unofficially hired, left this one.

June 2009-July 2010: ER

Was actually content (finally!), but wanted to move to a new city. Applied, interviewd, hired, left this one.

August 2010-present: ER

I'd like to work at another hospital also, but I'm finally not looking to LEAVE my current facility or unit which is a relief.

When my m/s employers asked why I left my previous employers, I told them the truth: I was looking for something more/different/better. When I was first interviewd for ER, I'm sure I was given a chance based on a very good recommendation, but I also explained that I disliked m/s and wanted something more. Moving from one ER to another in a different city was simple enough explanation.

I've never been good at staying with something if I'm not happy. I definitely wouldn't recommend my course for anyone else, but I will tell you it's worked for me.

Good luck, OP!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 9, 2011

don't like days in a hospital? Or don't like working days? Home Health is mostly days

llg, PhD, RN · May 9, 2011

I echo the sentiment that you need to give it at least 2 years before you hop again. A series of jobs 1 year or less does not look good. Doing that once is understandable ... but repeating it over and over makes you look like a bad investment.

Also, people who hop frequently tend to stunt their growth in some ways. Many never get the indepth expertise in anything because they are always "the new person" on the job and don't take on increasing responsibilities and informal leadership roles.

I recommend looking for ways to enrich the job you have now -- by participating in professional growth and development opportunities offered by your hospital. Take whatever courses the hospital provides, get certified, be a preceptor, serve on a committee or two, be a charge nurse, etc. These types of activities teach you skills that might come in handy in the future. They also help you network with people who can mentor you and help your career. Finally, they give you a chance to see some "other sides" of nursing that might trigger an interest in a job you never even knew existed before.

At this point, you should be enriching your skills and continuing to develop depth as a nurse -- not just hopping from job to job only scratching the surface of each.

chancie · May 9, 2011

I don't know, I guess I like to believe that you only live once, and if you're really unsatisfied in your current position, change it! However, I'm sure there are some employers or hospitals that might frown upon "job hopping" but it sounds as though you're wanting to try something different than hospital nursing anyway, so maybe they won't care. Also, I've heard before that the average person switches their profession 5 times in their adult life. Their profession, not just their current job! You're not talking about leaving nursing, just trying to find the right fit within nursing. Lastly, it never hurts to just look. Maybe you'll see a posting that is right up your alley!