I'm a new grad RN who got her first real nursing job working at a SNF. The SNF I work at is attached to a hospital, which while I was originally not excited to work at a SNF I was excited for the opportunity for advancement into the hospital into one of their med/surg units, etc. Turns out, I really do like working at the SNF. I like my coworkers, the residents, and feel comfortable here. But working at a SNF is not part of my long term goals.
I have worked at the SNF for four months now, so I am just about to get off my probationary "new hire" period soon. Therefore, I wanted to try applying to the hospital and see if I can get a job there, because I feel as if working in Med/Surg would at least get me closer to my ultimate goal of doing something more acute, such as critical care.
But my dilemma is that I feel like I'm disrespecting my employers at the SNF for "jumping ship" basically as soon as I can to work over at the hospital. My ideal situation would be to work at the SNF per diem every other weekend (which is what they originally hired me for, but of course they have me in a 32hr/week position still even with my per diem role). I do feel obligated to them to give them at least a year of my time since they were the first people to believe in me and offer me a job. I don't want anyone to be disappointed or judge me that I would either leave the SNF completely or go down to working there every other weekend.
One last detail: My boyfriend and I do plan to leave the area and move up closer back home where he would have a lot more opportunities to get a job in the field he's about to join. So even if I do apply to the hospital and got a job, I would only stay at the unit for 7 months at most because our lease is up in September and we would move back up closer to our families. So that's another added stress of secretly not even giving the hospital unit a year of my time for being so generous and hiring a new grad onto their unit.
Should I just avoid all this mess and work solely at the SNF for now? Or should I be a little more "selfish" and see if I can get a job that would give me more opportunities to advance to critical care even though I'd secretly only work there for 7 months? I would have to try and find a new job in September despite what I do in this situation because we will 100% be moving away, and I'm not sure if a year's worth of just working at a SNF will give me the best chances at getting a new job rather than working at the SNF *AND* working at the attached hospital for ~7mo would. I could also just apply to a different hospital that's much closer to where I live and tell the SNF that I can't do the commute anymore. But there's still the issue of only giving that hospital 7 months of my time.
This all makes me feel so fake and self absorbed, like I'm not considering what anyone else's feelings or staffing needs are Am I overthinking everything??
Thank you for reading my rambles, I appreciate any input or advice you all have for me.
Baked goods and a nice letter does nothing for a job hopper's resume. And yes, it IS disrespectful to waste others' time, energy and $$$, all the while planning to move on.
I do agree she should stay til she relocates however I don't think it's disrespectful to leave If you're moving.. And I think a letter and baked goods is a nice gesture. But yes I agree should stick it out. I didn't read all the comments or the full post before I replied
Just reading about your situation is exhausting! : ) I would finish out at the SNF and look for a med/surg job when I move. It might take months to get a job in the hospital. If you stay at the SNF, you will be able to get solid experience and good references.
I think you should stay put and apply for medsurg jobs when you relocate. Don't sell yourself short on all you can learn at your current job. If you like the work environment there that's golden. It will enhance your learning. I think new grads should get 1 year at their first job under their belt before moving on.
you need to do what is best for you. companies will replace you...being a 1 year employee or 20. be happy with your life first...that's the only way you can be a joy to your patients.
Just jump ship. It is never "an employee's fault" for leaving a job quickly. It is the employers fault for not providing attractive enough incentives to retain you. Truth. The job market is driven by these kinds of forces, and it is supposed to be. Everyone else in this thread talking about how it's immoral is ridiculous and is why nursing can suck.
Eh...I am a little iffy. I started in a SNF but only lasted three days on orientation. I took it because that was what was offered. I then went straight to med/surg at a facility I had been working at for nearly four years in different positions. Stayed put for eight months and then got my dream job (my current one).
The SNF job isn't even listed on my resume and I hope to stay casual at my med/surg gig.
Job hopping hasn't hurt me in the least. But I never left a job before having another one lined up and I was always jumping TO something, not running away from something.
You have just got off orientation? Even though you are wanting to move within the same facility, many places will not let you transfer unless you have been off of orientation for 6 months - 1 year. Check what the transfer policies are. I am fairly certain you will have to be on your own for at least 6 months or more. As many others have stated with two many jobs within the first year as a new nurse does give the impression that you are not dependable or that you are not cap[able of handling a job.
Imagine in an interview the manager of your new unit asks why you left a job after four months... (Most new jobs do ask why you are looking) and your answer is I wanted a new opportunity or I wanted to get new experiences. It makes it seem as though you are not willing to learn or develop skills.
Eh...I am a little iffy. I started in a SNF but only lasted three days on orientation. I took it because that was what was offered. I then went straight to med/surg at a facility I had been working at for nearly four years in different positions. Stayed put for eight months and then got my dream job (my current one).
The SNF job isn't even listed on my resume and I hope to stay casual at my med/surg gig.
Job hopping hasn't hurt me in the least. But I never left a job before having another one lined up and I was always jumping TO something, not running away from something.
Just jump ship. It is never "an employee's fault" for leaving a job quickly. It is the employers fault for not providing attractive enough incentives to retain you. Truth. The job market is driven by these kinds of forces, and it is supposed to be. Everyone else in this thread talking about how it's immoral is ridiculous and is why nursing can suck.
Nursing sucks because some folks have stricter personal codes of ethics than others? Huh??
No one said anything was immoral.
And BTW, your opinion of employers being responsible for job-hopping is not shared by employers who, after all, are the ones doing the hiring. Job-hopping on your resume is never a positive thing, and it most definitely is never blamed on the employers, only on the job-hopper.
Eh...I am a little iffy. I started in a SNF but only lasted three days on orientation. I took it because that was what was offered. I then went straight to med/surg at a facility I had been working at for nearly four years in different positions. Stayed put for eight months and then got my dream job (my current one).
The SNF job isn't even listed on my resume and I hope to stay casual at my med/surg gig.
Job hopping hasn't hurt me in the least. But I never left a job before having another one lined up and I was always jumping TO something, not running away from something.
Well, no. A job you were at for 3 days, or even only a month, would (should) never be on your resume. You got a promotion internally at a job and then found your dream job Job hopping hasn't hurt you because you didn't do it.
Am I overthinking everything?? 
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I do agree she should stay til she relocates however I don't think it's disrespectful to leave If you're moving.. And I think a letter and baked goods is a nice gesture. But yes I agree should stick it out. I didn't read all the comments or the full post before I replied