Job-Hopping During the 1st Year After Licensure

[Nola009]

Hello All,

I was just wondering about "Job-Hopping" --- what's considered Job-Hopping in the nursing profession, is it to be expected for new grads, and is it really a career killer?

I have a coworker who started out at one facility. She put her 1 month notice during the end of her month-long orientation, due to "bad CNAs". Everything else was supposedly acceptable. Maybe she said there was a bullying nurse or two, I can't remember.

Then she took another job, which she worked for a total of 4 months and then put her one month's notice in!

She has another, much better paying job (was working there PRN) lined up already.

So, I was just wondering, would this type of thing be considered "Job-Hopping"? Or, is it to be expected during the 1st year after licensure when a new nurse is finding where she fits in??

Do employers tend to look down on this type of thing when it comes to new grads??

I ask bc I have a PRN position that I got around 4 months ago. At first, I picked up a lot of hrs, but soon found out that it's NOT the type of facility I want to work for. Since then, I rarely pick up hours. I would really LIKE to put my 2wk/one month's notice in, but haven't due to fear of not being able to put the place on my resume and being back at SQUARE ONE!!

Now, I have another part-time job where I feel supported and like it there. Eventually, I would like to work in an acute care setting.

If I quit the job I've been at for four months will that hurt my chances?!

BTW the job I've been at longer (but work less often) is a SNF while this new job is a LTC with only some skilled pts

[EatYourVeggies]

I may not be a nursing manager or HR person but I would classify your friend's situation as "job-hopping" and from what I have heard most employers do look down on this since it makes you look unreliable and indecisive. Personally I know everyone's situation is different but I would not hire someone who constantly goes from job to job even if their workplace is less than desirable. If I were you I would stick the PRN position out for a year and just work the bare minimum amount of shifts required. After all employers do take a chance on each new employee and maybe the things that bother you now won't seem like such a big deal with more time spent there. You should keep both jobs for the variety of experience and networking and then after a year look for something better. Just focus on providing the best nursing care possible for your patients and stay out of the workplace politics, etc. Try to find ways to make it better?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Even if you don't really enjoy a job, you're best to put some time in to build experience. Yes, there are various reasons to leave a job. However, most managers will be reluctant to hire someone who has a pattern of leaving jobs every few months, or even once a year.

Often, this behaviour indicates that the candidate is indecisive and unreliable. In this economy, managers have a wide selection of applicants. Try to stay put for a while.