How long is too long?

NurseGuy_in_06 · Dec 10, 2004

How long is too long to stay at a workplace ? If you find out the situation is not for you . Or it just isnt a fit ? How long would you stay ?

General rule of thumb. Less than 6 months you can tell your next employer you took what you could until what you wanted came along. 6 months to 1 year you look like a job hopper. Over 1 year you look stable.

stbernardclub · Dec 10, 2004

use your intuition....its undeniable.

How long is too long to stay at a workplace ? If you find out the situation is not for you . Or it just isnt a fit ? How long would you stay ?

Trauma Columnist · Dec 10, 2004

I think its a personal deal. I've been at the same hospital going on 9 years and have had two jobs. However, this last job I've only been with a year and yes, I'm looking.

angelbsn · Dec 10, 2004

It's a personal decision. . .if you find you're compromising your principles or becoming physically ill at the thought of going to work, you should change--pronto. However, if you want a wide variety of experiences, try agency work. I started in a high-acuity CICU & went agency after almost 3 yrs. This gave me a strong background in critical care (all the ICU's including neonatal & burn) & I've also spent some time travel nursing to different parts of the country. Now I'm strictly ED/trauma in the hospital & work part time as a clinical instructor for 2nd yr ADN students.

I've been in my current position almost a year now, although I've been nursing almost 8 yrs. I've only left 2 positions in less than a yr, & they were both because I felt I was compromising my value system by staying.