I think I committed career suicide

Published

Hello fellow nurses I'm in need of some advice. I started in the ER in May after leaving a tele floor for 8 months. I needed a change and wanted to advance and challenge myself. I'm having a tough time transitioning. I have even thought about asking for my old job back. I was really good and comfortable at my old job but it wasn't much growth where I was. Now I'm ready to jump ship. I feel like I don't fit it in where I work, I'm slow, having a tough to time moving with the pace and prioritizing. Does it look bad on my resume to look for another job??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think you committed career suicide. Far from it, actually. Some people get to ER and realize it's not for them. You aren't the first and you won't be the last.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I'd say give it at least a year. Wasn't it hard to work tele when you first started? Probably took a while to feel competent in that, too. I know from first hand experience how tough it is to switch jobs when you've gotten comfortable in one job. Even if you decide ultimately to leave ER because you don't like it, at least you've given it a shot. After all, unless you plan on only working tele on the same floor for the rest of your career, at some point you'll start a new job somewhere and this is what you'll go through. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

Were you only on Tele for 8 months? Did you work somewhere else before that? If ED and tele are your only experience I would wait it out a bit longer in the ED to at least get a year in on your resume. If you jumped ship on the tele floor after 8 months and now the ED after 4 months it might raise questions on your resume.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Were you only on Tele for 8 months? Did you work somewhere else before that? If ED and tele are your only experience I would wait it out a bit longer in the ED to at least get a year in on your resume. If you jumped ship on the tele floor after 8 months and now the ED after 4 months it might raise questions on your resume.

Yes my first job was Tele, and then I move to the ED. I'm working at huge teaching hospital with a very busy ER, everyone has been telling me give it a year. I'm going to try my best. I am not a quitter I just feel so lost and overwhelmed like the biggest loser. I need to gain some confidence and start reading some ER books.

Thanks to all of U for your advice!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.
Yes my first job was Tele, and then I move to the ED. I'm working at huge teaching hospital with a very busy ER, everyone has been telling me give it a year. I'm going to try my best. I am not a quitter I just feel so lost and overwhelmed like the biggest loser. I need to gain some confidence and start reading some ER books.

Thanks to all of U for your advice!!

I did not mean to say that you are a quitter. It can take a while to find a good fit. Your plan sounds fine - this way you will have a year on your resume and enough time to really know if the ED is for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At my facility, you have a six month probationary period whenever you transfer to a different unit. If, within that six months, you or your supervisor don't think it's a good fit, they have to give you your old job back. It may not be the same schedule or the same shift, but it is on the same unit with the same number of hours. Does your facility do anything like that? I've seen numerous people move on, only to decide to come back, and it hasn't hurt their career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
At my facility, you have a six month probationary period whenever you transfer to a different unit. If, within that six months, you or your supervisor don't think it's a good fit, they have to give you your old job back. It may not be the same schedule or the same shift, but it is on the same unit with the same number of hours. Does your facility do anything like that? I've seen numerous people move on, only to decide to come back, and it hasn't hurt their career.

I'm actually at another hospital I didn't transfer within this is a whole new job and facility for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The good news is that tele is usually begging for ppl. If you were actually good on tele and felt comfy there, kudos to you:) If you left on good terms and had a good relationship with your fellow nurses I would give them a call or even show up when you know you can chat with ur old mngr. Be humble and honest. Tele is not an easy place to work, depending on where you live in the country. If you feel that overwhelmed in ER/new hospital, listen to your gut. Nurses sometimes try to take on too much and you can ruin your confidence like that. Nothing succeeds like success. If you had success on tele, stay for a while and move up the clinical ladder (no one knows what the future holds). There are other ways to challenge yourself at your original hospital. You can ask for an opportunity to be a preceptor or practice filling in for the charge RN. NOw that you have some ER experience you have even more value. Did they give you a sufficient orientation at the ER job? All I can say is take it easy on yourself. As a new RN you are actually doing VERY well (mst new RNs run out of tele screaming).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Death & Dying.

No, you'll be just fine. I went through 3 jobs my first year as a nurse before I finally find my current job which I love. Companies are more understanding than you would believe, as long as you are honest. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ER has always been one of my favorite places to work.It is where the action is. Life death people.Just relax and go with the flo.

Hello fellow nurses I'm in need of some advice. I started in the ER in May after leaving a tele floor for 8 months. I needed a change and wanted to advance and challenge myself. I'm having a tough time transitioning. I have even thought about asking for my old job back. I was really good and comfortable at my old job but it wasn't much growth where I was. Now I'm ready to jump ship. I feel like I don't fit it in where I work, I'm slow, having a tough to time moving with the pace and prioritizing. Does it look bad on my resume to look for another job??
Up Vote Up Vote ×
ER has always been one of my favorite places to work.It is where the action is. Life death people.Just relax and go with the flo.

That is true for you. Different strokes for different folks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion