Job hopping...

[voraciousj]

So I graduated in may 2009, got a job working 3-12 hour days on a med-surg/tele floor. Long story short I left after about 10 months due to a difference between me and my nurse manager. Now before you get to thinking that it was me, I was the first of about half a dozen nurses to leave that floor for the same reason...so I know it wasn't entirely me...

I went back to the hospital where I did my internship my senior year of nursing school to 5-8 hour nights, med-surg/tele. Long story short, I HATE it with a passion. Understaffed, unsafe, overworked ( I work every holiday/weekend), never see my family friends, the manager is a nightmare (once again, I'm not the only one with these feelings)...the list could go on and on. I pretty much have lost all interest in doing anything other than sleeping, I cry almost every day and I feel like absolute crap...

I've now been there for about 4 months and I am trying to hold on while I submit applications to other hospitals in different departments, specifically the ED. My questions for you all is: How bad does this look that I left my first job after 10 months and am now seeking new employment after only 4 months? How can I manage to hang in there until I find something new? How shall I phrase my lack of longevity in interviews? How can I avoid these situations in the future?

I am actively looking/applying to a multitude of different facilities and while I would like to be in the ED, I'm open to other floors. I am also trying to obtain different certifications to advance my career.

Thank you guys for taking the time to read this, and to all those out there who don't have jobs...you have my sympathies and you're more than welcome to take mine...

[caliotter3]

I also suggest going part time while you search, if at all possible. If not, call off for mental health days on occasion and just relax, eat, sleep, and enjoy your family. You realize your predicament, so that is the hard part done with. You also might consider some type of counseling to help you with your coping skills. You might not be able to find a replacement job and may have to learn to deal with this situation so it is not so debilitating. Or, at any rate, you need to learn how to cope with situations that you can not change. Good luck.

[bluefabian]

Just to say this - you are not alone.

At least you take action and move out from a situation that bothers you. The least that I wanna see is a half-hearted nurse who calls off every three days with an MC, emergency leave and whatever there is that keep them off the line. Nursing is tough, but nobody is forcing you to be a stone.

[voraciousj]

I just want to thank everyone for their wonderful advice...it's nice to know that there are people out there to talk to.

I actually have already started to look into counseling and my husband and I have discussed me going PT at this job while I either wait it out a year or find something new. We can afford it, so now I just need to talk w/ my manager.

Again: thanks!

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

Woa! I don't think you need to wait it out a year. Go part-time yes and look for another job. Have you tried senior day care? They are wonderful places with less stress and it's a day job! or pre-op. They usually want you to have one year acute care and you've got that, so don't sell yourself short. You've got that one year of awesome med/surg experience that so many employers are looking for! (that's the right attitude! :) )

1.You did a year of med/surg and realized it wasn't a good fit, or it was always your intention to start out in med/surg, do a year, and then move on.

2.You tried nights and that isn't working out for you, so you are now looking for a day job.

Those are things an employer can hear and not blame you for. Not everyone can work odd hours. :)

Ok go get 'em Tiger!

[pharmgirl]

I have a different take on this. I externed at a hospital the summer before my last year and stayed with that hospital all during my last year. Shortly after I finally graduated, the hospital I precepted during last semester offered me a job in the ER. I felt like I couldn't pass up the opportunity to just at least try it. My nurse manager at this point told me......she would a) never discourage ANYONE from trying a new experience especially a new nurse. b) she whole-heartedly expects new grads to hold several positions the first couple years because they are still trying to find their "niche".

I hope for you that you find a nurse manager that is as awesome as mine is/was (i'm still there prn). They ARE out there! Good Luck to you

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

pharmgirl I like your nurse manager's attitude! I was discouraged away from a position I thought I had wanted recently and I think it was a mistake to let that person get to me. Now I'm encouraged to still look around and try something new. :)

[NURSESrMEAN]

I say do as you want. Loyalty is for the birds. They'd assume drop you without notice. You'll find your own answer when you do or do not get calls from these applications you are making. Go for anything you feel the need to.

wow..... I LOVE YOU!:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:yeah:

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

You know, VoraciousJ, when I read your post, I really sympathized. I understand that it is so hard to find a good fit. I get your frustration. HOWEVER...there is a silver lining in all of this and I don't know if you even realize it: you mentioned that you are seeking to get more certifications to improve/advance your career. Would you have done that anyway had the working environment been different? That part of your post struck me the most-that you are looking to improve yourself. YOU ARE THE GOODS, my friend! Way to go! Instead of just complaining, you vented, you told us what was going down, AND you have a solution in mind. You have a plan. That is incredibly insightful and it makes me excited for you. I have no doubt that you will do well wherever you go.

I say go for it. What is there to lose? Besides your mind?

[luvmykidz]

I don't think it would be a problem at all if you say you are looking for a new area of nursing and like someone else said you gave it a good shot on med-surg/tel at two different hospitals and now that you have that experience behind you, you are ready to explore an area that holds more interest to you. Sometimes it takes nurses a few different trys before they find the right fit so I say go for it!

[dekagirlsRN]

When I first graduated from nursing school, I got a job in a nursing home. Was not happy there, mainly because it was so understaffed. Left the nursing home after 6 months and got a hospital job in the OR. For many reasons, I knew the OR was not for me so I continued my search. So, after 6 months at the nursing home, then 8 months in the OR, I got a job in Addiction and I LOVE IT!!!!! I am so glad that I did not give up my search for the perfect job!! As someone else said, sometimes it takes a few jobs before you find your niche.

[himilayaneyes]

I don't blame you for quitting the job where you had to work every single holiday. Holidays should be rotated between staff members. However, there are awful nurse managers wherever you go. It's a rare thing to have a manger that you like. It's quite a blessing. As far as motivation to hang in there, do you have bills? Bills are my motivation every day that I go to work. Also I've been told to leave jobs off of my resume if I didn't work there for a year. I left one job after a month for a better offer (which will be left off of my resume). You don't want to look like a job hopper. If they ask about the gap, you can always say it's a tough job market out there which is true. Sometimes it takes working at a couple of places before you find your niche.

[caliotter3]

It is easy to say you have been unemployed for any length of time because it is very likely to be true.