How many nursing jobs before a "fit"?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I'm wondering how many nursing jobs others had before they found a unit that was tolerable enough to stay there for years. Also, how many different areas of nursing did you try before you found your niche?

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Accidentally found oncology and hospice a niche early on.

Found a fitting unit about once every 5 years, left each for different reasons. Changed for shift - made big mistake - left others because overall changes changed the "fit" or mix and what was once good was good no longer.

Losing a couple of good techs to have them replaced by less productive can really alter things on a unit.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

My needs and interests seem to change every year or two so finding a new fit about that often seems normal for me. I did stay at one job for 6 years though and loved it, when I stopped looking forward to going to work there I found another position. My resume lists 10 positions over 16 years, some of them overlapping. Working per-diem for local agencies when I get restless has helped me find what is available out there first hand.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Thanks for the replies. They make me feel better about the number of nursing jobs I've had - more than I thought I would have by now!

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