Go back to clinic job or stick out med surg job?

Published

Hello, I’m looking for advice. I am a new RN for almost a year (graduated in May 2021). My first job was at a cardiology clinic, which was of course Monday - Friday, 8 am-5 pm. I loved that job and my coworkers, but the drive to work (45 mins - 1 hour) was what ultimately gave me the idea to apply to a job closer to home. I had that job for about 7 months. I applied for and accepted a new grad RN residency position at a local hospital on the post-surgical/ortho floor.
It’s been two weeks in this job and I have developed an insane amount of stress and anxiety, even on my off days. I just dread going back to work and when I’m at work, I’m extremely anxious. There is obviously a huge learning curve with this job, but I am very tempted to go back to my previous clinic job. I left on good terms (gave a one month notice) and all of my coworkers and the nursing director there love me. I have spoken with the director and he told me that they would love to have me back, and at a new clinic opening up closer to my home. I have an 11 month old baby and while it has been nice to have week days off with her in this new job, I have gone 7-10 day stretches working opposite shifts as my husband and it has been hard on us already. 
I do not want to burn any bridges with this hospital, and I know that this current job would give me invaluable experience and look great on my resume for future jobs, but I don’t know if I can mentally go through a full two years in this setting. My preceptorship is up in mid-May and that’s when I would have to sign the two-year contract. If I stick this job out for two years, I know it would open doors for my career but I have been struggling so much already. Please, I am looking for advice and kind words. Thank you so much. 

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Nurses work in multitudes of settings. Hospital/acute care is not the be all-end all goal for a lot of nurses. If you really enjoyed the clinic job and you have the opportunity to return to it go ahead and do that.

Why would you subject yourself to a known two year commitment at a job you don't like and that has a schedule that make your home situation less than ideal just because it will look good on a resume some day? 

+ Join the Discussion