How long do I give a job a chance before I decide to quit?

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How long do I give a job a chance before I decide to quit? I recently left my job as a ER peds nurse. I really enjoyed the patient population and parts of the job but management was pretty toxic and had been since I started for a couple of years. Now I'm at a small surgical hospital that does pre-op, pacu, and medsurg. I'm still currently in training but somethings are making me uncomfortable. So pros: staff is nice, manager helpful, better pay, low patient ratio (most patient stay for better pain control). Cons: Sometimes they accept patients that they don't have the medical resources for, delay/inadequate in concerning vitals/labs, delays in transferring outpatients that need higher care. Lack of protocols and policies. So how long do I give this job before quitting or going contingent?

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Deciding how long to give a job a chance before quitting can be challenging, especially in nursing, where environments can significantly impact your well-being.

Since you're still in training, it would be wise to allow yourself some more time—perhaps three to six months or even up to a year—to fully acclimate and see if the positives outweigh the negatives as you become more familiar with the setting.

Given the pros you've noted—supportive staff, helpful management, and better pay, there's potential for growth and satisfaction. However, the concerns about patient care, inadequate resources, and delays in critical situations are serious.

A lack of protocols and policies is also very concerning because policies and procedures protect you and guide your practice.

It might help to document specific incidents that raise concerns and discuss them with your manager, as they may not be fully aware of these issues. Going contingent could be a suitable option if nothing improves over time and your problems persist. This would allow you to retain some stability while exploring other opportunities.

If these issues continue to cause discomfort and compromise patient safety, it's essential to consider your ethical standards and mental health. You do not want to stay where you compromise your standards or endanger your mental health.

Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable and it affects your performance or emotional health, it's okay to reassess your position sooner. Ultimately, you must prioritize your well-being and professional integrity.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in school nurse, many past specialties in nursing..

I usually give it a year. I have only left one job after a solid year. For many reasons. I kept track of the pros and cons. 

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