How long did you stay at your 1st job?

Nurses Career Support

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Some of my fellow new nurse friends and I were talking the other day and were curious to hear from more experienced people...

How long did you stay at your first job? Do you feel it is unprofessional to leave after only a year?

Specializes in family practice.

I stayed 2 years home health, but got cut even though the pt still wanted services. No hard feelings just moved on with my services and enjoying my job right now

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Specializes in M/S,DOU/ER.
Some of my fellow new nurse friends and I were talking the other day and were curious to hear from more experienced people...

How long did you stay at your first job? Do you feel it is unprofessional to leave after only a year?

I stayed almost 1 year and that was too long to give Humana hospital west hills.It was a med/surge floor with occasional floating to oncology and tele.a terrible working and learning enviroment for a new grad on night shift.No preceptor and 2 nurses that were little help.It is not unprofessional to leave before a year if the hospital is not up to par on your expectations.It shouldnt matter how long you were at a particular place,just what you learned while you were there and if its detrimental to you in any way-leave.
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Specializes in Sub-Acute, Skilled, Home Health.

about 6 months and yes..:nurse:

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Hi,

I am coming up to the one year anniversy of my first year at my first job out of school. I really hate this job and the mantra I have lived by is "Only a year." The Dean of the Nursing program I went to school at said no matter how much you hate your first job stay at least a year. It would be unprofessional to leave earlier. With that advice, I do not think it is unprofessional to leave after a year.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

5 1/2 years and counting.Love, love, love my job.

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Specializes in pediatrics, geriatrics, med-surg, ccu,.

Stayed 21 years. And was let go after the downsizing started. I think leaving after the 1st year is very personal. It is really about what you are looking for in your career. If the hospital you are at isn't providing what you want, then go elsewhere to find it. I do agree with some of the other posts though in that staying at one facility and possibly trying different areas would give you a better perspective on what it is you are looking for. The first year is so hectic and the learning curve that is required really doesn't give much opportunity to know what niche' you are really looking for.

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Specializes in Dementia.

im still at my first job. been here for 10 months.

im looking for a second job though.

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Specializes in ICU, MS, BHU, Flight RN, Admin.

1 month, the place was horrendous. Beyond that, mostly several years each.

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Specializes in Med/Surg crit care, coronary care, PACU,.

I'm still in my first nursing job 25 years later. I was very lucky to find a hospital where my position was a good fit. I do think that after a year your position is just not working out, then yes, it's always ok to leave. But keep in mind, that serial job hopping will catch up to you, and make you less marketable in the long run. In that case, managers won't want to spend orientation dollars on a nurse who might leave after a year.

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Specializes in Pedi.

I have been at my first RN job for nearly 4 1/2 years. I am hoping to move on by fall. I enjoy my job and the patient population but I can no longer tolerated the Bulls&*% or the abuse from above.

At my facility, someone who leaves after a year would likely burn their bridges (barring extenuating circumstances, of course). When my floor offers someone a job they always "request a 2 year commitment". Then again, that doesn't mean they won't fire you before those 2 years are up so I have a hard time telling someone they have to honor this commitment if the other side won't.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.

My first RN job was in pedi home health. I was full time for 14 months. I got a new job but still do a shift now and then to help out when a nurse on my old case needs a day off.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

I stayed at my first job 2.5 yrs and I should have left sooner. I went from full-time nights to parttime weekend. I found a hospice jon during the week and I love it. I finally quit LTC and got a home health job on the weekend.. I have been there for about 5 months.. So far it's ok until I finish the RN program

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