Just curious. I have been seeking a new job over the past week or so because the job I am currently in requires me to work 14-17 hours a day, plus take on call some nights after that. I can't reconcile myself to doing this, both for my patients and myself. However, I have worked at this job for only about fifteen months, and I was at my previous job for just about the same amount of time, due to my hours being changed and not being conducive to my family needs at the time. I have been an RN for over 20 years and have a lot of varied experience under my belt, so that should surely help in my search for a better position.
As I have been seeking work, I have been feeling kind of ashamed at having been at these positions for such a relatively short period of time, so I have been reading some resumes' of other RNs in my area on Indeed.com just to see how I compare. What I have been finding is that the vast majority of them seem to have job hopped. I'm talking about working six months here, eight months there, etc. Some of these nurses have four or five employers listed just in the past five years!
I'm just wondering if I am too worried about my recent track record in terms of longevity in a position, and if potential employers would be more willing to overlook it due to my years of varied experience and the fact that so many other applicants have job hopped way more than I have.
Do you think that job hopping has become the norm for a large number of nurses? Do you see this in your workplace? I'm just curious.
I have been in the same hospital for 27 yrs, and worked in the ED for 21 yrs now. Some of my staff have been here for over 30yrs. There is very little turn over in this facility.
There are so many variables involved in this question. I think it depends on the type of position you're looking for, somewhat. If you want a management position, it probably won't look too great to them. Also, more importantly, I think it depends on the reasons you give for why you left each job. Will the prospective employer see you as someone who decides to jump ship when it gets rough? And, how desparate are they for nurses? I know it sounds bad, but sometimes, employers are in such dire need for a warm body, they'll hire everyone who walks in the door that can legally work at the job.
I stayed in the NICU, in the same hospital for over 20 years. Technology was always changing and there was never any lack of things to learn. That being said, we also were the last generation to get a pension, so as one approached the time when one could retire with the pension (at least 50, and and years of service plus age = 75), you stayed even when things were not perfect. I did switch to acute adult psych for 8 years in the same hospital, then retired. Nursing has changed, along with all of the of the working world.
I think it is becoming a norm. As jobs become more available with those with experience, people do move. I have been in a position to hire for the past 7 years and have seen becoming a trend. I do caution those who hop around because, I tend not to look at them as loyal. I always ask why they leave and they would always say career advancement. Most people take their first job anywhere because as new grads, it is hard for them to find their first nursing job. But for a long term career to move into leadership or to get in an area that is for long term, recruiter tend not to give those with multiple jobs in a short period of time a chance.
this is an old topic, but i figure it's better than creating another one.
base on experience as an RN on the floor, i see many new nurses fresh out of school only work there for 1 year, sometimes less. I rarely see any nurses stick it out for 2 years. I know this one nurse, and I'm sure she's been at 4 different jobs in the last 5-6 years. It's good experience I suppose.
I've been a floor RN for 13 years. Is it such a bad thing to be in the same job for long time in an acute care hospital, especially being on the floor for that long? I know it's a jumping point for nurses to a more specialized area. Some people go to Surgery, Maternity/L&D, ICU, or ER just as an example and work there for a long time, but nobody stays on the floor. I wasn't really interested in working in management or being a supervisory role nurse. Is that really a bad thing to be in the same job? I'm the longest tenured RN in my department, seen so many people come and go. I feel like I'm an old relic despite the fact that I'm only 40.
Nurse leaders are really pushing nurses to go for their masters. why? I don't want to go for my masters, I'm content with my bachelors. They push to take on a leadership role. Why? I'm content with just having my own patients and not dealing with staff personality. I just feel this pressure sometimes like what I'm doing is such a bad thing, and I don't know how to react to it.
jguiney
6 Posts
I have been in the same hospital for 27 yrs, and worked in the ED for 21 yrs now. Some of my staff have been here for over 30yrs. There is very little turn over in this facility.