How long to stay at a job you don't like?

RNperdiem, RN · May 3, 2011

It depends.

If lives are at serious risk, if you are being pushed into unsafe practice, or you are so miserable you cannot function, then give your notice right away.

Make a quick escape from anything illegal or dangerous.

If you just don't like the job, then give them one year if you are a new grad. With one year, you will be considered an "experienced" nurse and have more job options open to you.

When you have more options available, your chances of landing a job you like are better.

PAERRN20 · May 3, 2011

I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

NurseJessRN · May 3, 2011

If you dont like the job and you have given it a decent chance, then you should start to find new employment and when found, put your 2 weeks in. No reason on wasting your time, or the time and money of your employer. Life is too short to not enjoy what you do with it!

netglow, ASN, RN · May 4, 2011

Aha OP, I blew out of a private sector CM position myself.

PAERRN20 · May 4, 2011

Aha OP, I blew out of a private sector CM position myself.

I knew the pay was lower going in but the hassel of the job is not worth it. I'd rather be working 3 nights a week and be done with it then the 9-5 headache this job is.

Old.Timer · May 4, 2011

I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

In that case, I wouldn't wait six months. I'd start applying right now to get back to acute care while your clinical experience is still "current"

Prepare a great interview response to why you wanted to leave acute care and why/what's changed prompting you to want to return. Just stay focused on the positives of returning to acute care vs negatives of case management and you should be fine.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 4, 2011

I hear ya. Mine ended up being many long days and nights the co was totally not managed well. Poor relationships with physicians and hospitals. Train wreck. If it had been good, I might have stayed. But, of course not, right?!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2011

I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

If it's not going to work I'd look for another job in acute care ASAP. Why waste 6 months if you have other options?

Ruas61, BSN, RN · May 4, 2011

I always say give it 6 months in general circumstances. Anything extraordinary ASAP.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 4, 2011

I think they are used to the obtuse positive stuff. Say, you missed the hands on patient care and found that you just dont feel like you were doing what you were meant to be doing as a nurse not being a part of acute care. You could say that you had thought that this other job would add to your skills as a nurse, but instead it's all charting and researching and you miss not being totally involved in direct patient care. If there were fundamental management problems, eg poor relationships between the co you were at and facilities, and you felt your hands were tied... say it. With that you can go into why the new place attracted you, what things they have that the other lacks, and why you must work for a co like the new one. That way you don't seem so flighty, you want out for a valid reason.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 4, 2011

Life is too short to not enjoy what you do with it!

:yeah: