How long should I stay at my first nursing job?

Dranger · Jun 12, 2015

I am a new graduate RN and have been working on a BUSY medical oncology floor for 2 months. I worked in the ED as a nursing intern for a year and did my senior practicum in the ED. Everyday that I go to work I miss working in the ED more and more. The floor that I currently work is not at all what I thought it would be. It isn't terrible but there aren't many oncology patients. It is more of a catch all floor that I have heard nurses say multiple times that it's where "the hospital sends it's rejects." The hospital I work for is fantastic but this floor is what almost the whole hospital calls the hardest. I don't feel like my heart is truly in floor nursing as everyday that I leave work I think about how I'm one day closer to working in the ED. I need advice on how long I should stay on the floor before I go into the ED. I feel like I should toughen up and stick it out for a little while more but wow do I miss the ED.

Do you have a contract?

If not then a year.

RN-APNstudent · Jun 12, 2015

Most facilities have a policy of being an employee for 6 months before you can transfer internally. If you know you love the ER I say go for it- the whole "getting a year or two at your first job" doesn't really matter that much In the long run especially if you know where you want to end up. The only thing I say on the side of staying a while is that floor nursing will teach you a lot and provide you a very good foundation.

RN-APNstudent · Jun 12, 2015

Also- a lot of positions require 1-2 years med/surge exp so getting that time frame in on your unit may benefit you if you ever decide to leave ER. Just my thoughts

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 12, 2015

If you were still in orientation, I would say it is better to leave sooner rather than later. But since it sounds as though you are off orientation, I would try to stick it out a year as most jobs want that golden one year of acute care experience.

I too am working on a med-surg oncology unit. I started six weeks ago. I plan to leave as soon as I get my year in.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2015

Most internal transfers only require 6 months. Just remember there's a big difference between being a student intern and an actual nurse on a unit. Make sure you really love it before you transfer. If you truly love ED and can transfer now, I say go for it! Typically ED is a competitive floor so it might help your chances if you stay where you are a bit longer. If you can get in now, why not?

For what it's worth, I have never worked a single day in adult med/surg. It's not the prerequisite that everybody thinks it is.

chewbecka · Jun 13, 2015

Thanks everyone for your input I truly appreciate it! I know that I will learn a lot on this floor so I believe I will stay with it a bit longer. I think I will get bored with it once I get into the "gel" of it and once I feel that I'll move on to the ED. It's all a combination of missing the ED and new nurse jitters so I should get the jitters out of my system before I move on. Thank you!

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2015

You will be pleasantly surprised later on at how much your current experiences add to your growth as a new RN. I DETESTED my 3 years of Med/Surg, to the point of developing an anxiety disorder. Yet to this day, I credit that "battle-training" with my ability to confidently hold my current position.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2015

I would approach the ED manager. If they have any smarts, they will pull some strings and snap you up.