Has anyone left bedside or floor nursing with less than 3 years experience?

[cantdoit]

I'm completely burned out on acute care nursing and need a change. I really want to leave my current job, but the thought of starting again in another department makes me cringe. And I don't want to be a "job hopper" (FYI I've had two jobs in the last 2/12 years)

I wouldn't mind CM or maybe even home health, but I desperately want to get out of the hospital. The problem is I have less than 3 years experience, and this seems to be an issue with many job postings I see.

Has anyone left acute care with less than 3 years experience? Was it easy to do? Do you find it a problem in your current job?

Thanks!

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I left med/surg after 9 mos, and I now work in Hospice Care. I never looked back.. it's a great specialty!

[UNITEDRN]

I left floor nursing exactly after 24 months and am a LVN faculty and have never looked back. I had my BSN so it was easy but if your heart is set onto something go for it. Try RN informatics which will become big in near future.

[Mom2boysRN]

I worked in a nursing home for less than a year before going to HH. It's really not a problem. If you are unhappy where you're at, then make the leap!

[MJB2010]

I think it depends heavily on what area of the country you are in. In New England EVERY job wants at least 3-5 years acute care experience. In the Southeast you are good with about a year. You need to look at the job market where you live. How hard would it be to get back into the hospital if you change your mind? Always make sure you have a few options open or available in case you find the grass is not greener.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Like Diane, my husband left the bedside after less than a year and went into hospice case management. Granted, this was in 2006, when every new grad had three jobs to choose from before they even graduated. I know the climate is different now for finding jobs.

[Student Mom to Three]

Never worked bedside! Started in an ASC (pre/post and OR) and now after a year moving on to outpatient endoscopy. Really, the way to go, in my opinion. Patients have to be generally healthy for outpatient procedures. Even if their BMI is too high they can't be seen outpatient. No nights or holidays. LOVE my job!

[Lilyshoppp1]

I've hopped around a lot, but that's part of the beauty of the nursing career. If you want a change, there's always something new & different to do. I worked acute care for 1.5 years, went to home health (& LOVED it - until we were bought out by another company), went back to acute care (at a better facility), did Disease Management, acute care & now outpatient surgery. After 1-2 years I get antsy & want to do something different. :-) I'd love to find something that will hold me longer, but we'll see if & when that comes!!

I think you need o follow your gut & your heart. If you're happy you're going to be so much better for your patients. :-)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Since you've got 2.5 years and counting of acute care experience, I would get a resume together and start applying for every position you're interested in that requests 3 years experience.

It's not much of a stretch and the worst they can do is say no.