How many times did you switch jobs as a RN?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg, Cardiology.

I am curious to know how many times as an RN did you change jobs in order to ultimately find your niche in nursing?

I ask this because I am now having regrets for starting as a RN in adult cardiology...I think I like it much better in pediatrics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was hired in a medium-sized ER after graduation and spent 11 years there. Went to a rural ER for 8 years, I switched to home health 6 months ago and LOVE IT!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Been an RN for 2 1/2 years.

Hospital #1: stayed 4 months due to various issues (like the unit was insane).

Hospital #2: Been there 2 years, but have had 3 different positions there. Finally found what I like.

I am too old to settle for a job I don't like.

Oldiebutgoodie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

Let's see... one... two... three... four... five... six... seven... yep. Seven. That's how many different hospitals I've worked at... and that's not counting agency and traveling. I've tried Rehab, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Newborn Nursery, Labor&Delivery, Case Management, Medical ICU and ER. My "ultimate" area is Surgical ICU. About 10 of my almost 15 years of nursing have been there. For some twisted reason I'm a glutton for punishment and stick to it, LOL!! (Truth be told, they're the patient population that I like best.)

Don't be afraid to change. Nurses are too in demand for you to stick in an area that you don't like.

Go find your niche.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Five in 25 years as RN. BUT...I did agency and casual at several other hospitals beside those five.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi. I have only been a RN since July and moved to work at a particular facility. Now after 5 months, I am moving onto a different job at a different facility. I was not even suppossed to get this new job(didn't meet their posted education or experience requirements), but through persistence I got the job and start at the beginning of the year. I think most managers understand wanting to find something that suits you. I am still getting calls from hospitals for interviews and it was perfectly clear on my resume I have only been in my current job for 5 months...not even 5 months yet. So, get out there and start applying. You never know what can happen unless you try. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Switched enough times to keep me from leaving nursing altogether. Agency work helped a lot so I could keep my sanity and ignore the baloney politics between staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

I'd say as many as necessary to find your dream job! :)

For me. 1 job as a staff RN. 8 facilities as an agency RN. 7 facilities as a traveler. 1 job in transport and current flight position. Hmmm, seems like more!!!

Practice SAFE!

;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg, Occ., Public Health.

So far 10.:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh my goodness...the first two were peds and it took me about 4 months in each place to figure out I didn't like it. Went to M/S and was hating it, but in that small hospital the ICU manager picked me out as "good ICU material." Since then I've changed jobs about every 3 years, except for the 6 1/2 I spent in home health while my kids were in high school. Now I travel. I think my ultimate love is really cardiology, but I won't turn down a good ICU spot ;-)

Peds, M/S, nursery, home health, ICU, cardiology, travel-travel-travel!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER.

1. 1 year M/S

2. 1.5 yeasrs tele-different hospital

3. 1.5 years SICU-different hospital again-moved

4. 7 years agency ICU

5. 4 years ICU, then 3 years ER same hospital, still there

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural Health.

Job #1 - Medical Cardiac - I worked there 3 months as a PCA during NS, lasted 8 weeks as an RN. Drive was WAY TOO FAR to safely do while working nights.

Job #2 - Rural ER - I worked there all thru NS as a tech, started full time in Feb as an RN, quit full time in Nov. Left because lack of support for RN's, horrible staffing issues and a manager that tries to be your friend only to shove the knife deeper in your back.

Job #3 - Mid size ER - I've worked there PRN since May. I work there anywhere from 1-8 shifts a month, just depending on their needs and my needs. LOVE the flexibility. Wouldn't work there full time though because this facility is suffering from growing pains. It's nice to visit and leave when I'm done.

Job #4 - Another Rural ER - I started there in Nov. So far so good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment