How long to stay in first job?

nursegreen · Sep 23, 2013

I have been told by many of my fellow NPs that most do not stay in their first position for many reasons. When I took my first position as a NP, we discussed and agreed upon what my hours/schedule would be, no call, weekend coverage, etc. After working with this group for a couple months the OM completely changed the schedule and even put me on 3-5 nights a month. When I spoke up I went from working five days ( my agreed schedule M-F 8-5 ), to only being scheduled three and four days in a week.

You have a few options in how you can handle this. I would speak to the physician and ask about FT and if he is unable to accommodate then you could work another PT position somewhere else or look for another job all together.

I struggled with my decision at first but I am

Much happier and feel I am now where I belong. I am a one income family and could not afford not receiving a FT income. You have to put you and your families needs first.

Plus, you have to remember that is something came up and he couldn't afford to keep you then he would babe to let you go because it is business. You have to be able to pay your bills.

I know this is not an easy thing to do. Good luck!!!!

nursegreen · Sep 23, 2013

Oops, excuse the missed spellings. Ty

mammac5 · Sep 24, 2013

Loyalty is a good thing. Keeping their commitment to move you to full time is also a good thing.

Have a conversation with the doc (if that's who your employer is) something like this:

I appreciate all I've learned since I started this job and I'm really enjoying practicing here. When I was hired we talked about my need for full-time work and full-time pay and I need to know if I will be scheduled to work full time by the end of this year. If my patient volume is not sufficient to schedule me full time, what can I do to improve that? (Have some creative ideas ready before you go talk with him/her)

If he/she says the office cannot use you full time right now, inform him/her that you are sorry to hear that because you need to have the hours you discussed at hire and will have to start looking for another position. You hope he/she understands your situation and you trust you can list him/her as a reference as you start your employment search.

Period.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 24, 2013

Thanks for the feedback. I've thought about it and it's in a specialty I like with a lot of room for growth and career development, so i'm staying put for now and doing what I can on my end to grow the practice and bring in more patients.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 24, 2013

May I ask what type of practice?

BostonRN13 · Sep 24, 2013

In general, I always thought it best to stay in a job for 2 years. Having said that, if you were hired under the pretense of it becoming a full time job, i would discuss this with your manager as the OP stated and then if they can't accomodate move elsewhere...

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 24, 2013

Peds pulmonology, mainly asthma.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 24, 2013

There was no pretense involved, I knew it might take this long. I'm just impatient. OTOH when I was a struggling unemployed new grad I always swore I wouldn't shoot our profession in the foot by bailing on whover hires me as a new grad as soon as something better comes along.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 25, 2013

Do you collaborate with peds discharge planners, school nurses, health dept. Have business cards placed out at Peds Grand Rounds, peds offices.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Sep 25, 2013

Even though there was no pretense, I doubt it would hurt to have a meeting/discussion with your manager about your performance, the progress towards fulltime, and what if anything you can do to move the process along. Managers are usually very recceptive to workers who are interested in improving the business!