Is it true that being a job-hopper is a good thing?!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2015

Frequent job-hopping is not the most professional or advisable career move. However, it is sometimes the only way a nurse can earn more money.

When employers issue stingy performance reviews that result in measly pay raises, it does not pay to remain with that employer. A $0.50 raise per hour? LOL!

Meanwhile, hopping to the next facility might result in a starting rate of several dollars per hour more than what you currently earn. I've been with my current employer for five years, but job-hopping has yielded more money for me in the past.

dreamer30 · Oct 26, 2015

I'm CNA and I job hop. When I become an RN I will be job hopping internally because I really like my hospital.

I have seen RN's leave for a year and come back and get $5 more. That can be an option instead of job hopping for money. I also get bored quickly so I will probably eventually do travel nursing.

pookashellz · Nov 11, 2015

Travel nursing! You can job hop every 13-26 weeks and usually make more money than a staff nurse.

Wrench Party · Nov 12, 2015

I suppose it's a good thing! I'm on my 3rd position in 2 years and I've never been asked why I wanted to leave. I usually address it up front like "I'm seeing what's out there" and "I want to learn new things".

OnlinePersona, LPN · Nov 15, 2015

I like to move around frequently (including moving homes and buying new motorcycles every year or so) BUT I just went on a interview that the lady told me she prefers hiring people who has a stable work history and not a job jumper(i got the job) but it made me think. I am staying at my hospital PRN now loll even though I'm over this place.

#run on sentence

mordap15 · Nov 16, 2015

Just a bit of advice from an old nurse, job-hopping to find out what's out there is not smart and here is why. Someday you hope to retire and unless you have opened your own account for retirement and are contributing 10% of your check, you will not be ready to retire. The best plan is to get a job at a government agency (VA), Kaiser, or county hospital and work there for 25 years. Contribute the maximum permitted to your pension plan-most of these facilities will "match" a portion. In 25 years you can retire with a good pension from your job PLUS whatever Social Security you might get. You need to start contributing to your retirement in your 30s, so job hop or get on the train early and you can retire sooner with enough retirement income to continue in a comfortable lifestyle.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2015

The best plan is to get a job at a government agency (VA), Kaiser, or county hospital and work there for 25 years.

Nowadays, one can count on remaining with the same employer for 25 years. This advice is simply unrealistic in this day and age. Lifetime employment is a relic of a bygone era.

Even if a nurse wanted to remain with the same organization for 25+ years, a layoff or forced termination will change those plans in a hurry. In addition, the county hospitals, VA facilities and Kaiser Health System do not have enough positions to employ all 3 million RNs in this country.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2016

Have you considered internal transfers? You can have a chance to try a different specialty, but you are still in the same system and retain your vacation hours, benefits and sometimes seniority.
I plan to internally transfer in about seven to eight months, hopefully into my dream specialty.

i've been at the same facility 23 years now and this is what I do. When I get bored or burned out, I switch to another department. I've done trauma, neuro, cardiac, med-surg, and even an office job. There are still plenty of other places to explore like the ER, ICU's etc. I now enjoy plenty of vacation and at the max of the salary range.

Still, as has been mentioned, with so many opportunities it doesn't seem to be hurting nurses. I heard in one of our shared governess meetings about retention that we're seeing the millennial generation become the job-hopping generation and we just have to accept and work with that. It's just not in nursing apparently....one director stated they average 7 jobs their first five years out of college...

Forbes Welcome

MERRYWIDOW46 · Jan 9, 2016

In my area, Washington/Baltimore Metro, MOST employers have done away with pensions. We have voluntary 401k and 403b plans. Many DO NOT match anymore, and those who do match 50% up to 4%. Social Security has been robbed by Congress for decades. Depend on yourself, make plans and put money away to retire. However, pray neither you nor your spouse gets seriously ill and requires custodial care. The government will only allow the well spouse a dwelling of residence, one automobile, and half of all assets belong to the other spouse, regardless of what was put away prior to marriage. The person requiring care is only entitled to $2500.00 in assets.