How Long With a Company Before Looking Elsewhere?

[westieluv]

Just curious, how long would you say someone should stay with a job/company before looking for another job elsewhere? I'm looking at it in terms of the potential new employer thinking that you look like a job hopper, which would not be a plus to most employers. Would a year suffice? 1 1/2 years? Longer?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If at all possible, I try my best to hang around at my jobs for at least two years before moving on to another job.

However, I totally understand when people jump off the ship earlier, especially if they are dealing with toxic work environments. It makes no sense to fight the battle in these types of workplaces because you cannot build a good network inside a snake pit.

[westieluv]

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, my problem is not a toxic work environment but an exacerbation of an old injury that it appears may render me unable to do my current job. I have been with the company for 15 months, but in this position for just over two months. I don't want to quit, but it does not appear that I can fulfill the physical requirements of this job, which is an inpatient Med/Surg job. I was wondering how this amount of time with this hospital system would look to a potential employer in a different area of nursing that is less physically demanding. I do have hospice experience, and when I put out feelers a few days ago I got two calls within 24 hours, so I feel that I could find a different job, I just wonder if the length of time at my current employer would be a red flag in an interview. I actually did mention the wear and tear on my body as one why I am looking elsewhere, but also truthfully said that I really miss field nursing, when I spoke to one potential employer on the phone, and they seemed very sympathetic and didn't seem deterred by it.