Job hopping?

[lovedijah]

Just looking for advice.

I'm an LPN. Graduated in August, passed boards and started working in September. I was lucky to get a job offer before school was over. My job waited almost 2 months for me to start so I'm really thankful.

I work in a non medical facility. More or less, I work in a group home for MR clients. For the most part, my job is taking vital signs occasionally, normal saline, TAO, band aids, calling for orders and very basic stuff. I'm not downing this type of work. Working with MR clients is challenging, fulfilling work.. and you can definitely transfer these skills to another job. But to some extent I wish I was using my "skills". Granted, skills can be relearned.

Would you leave the job I described to go work at an urgent care clinic? I don't think the grass is greener on the other side. I just think perhaps there is more to learn that could look "better" on my resume. I'd being doing injections, drug testing, blood draws, triaging and so on. All things I think could prepare me to work in a doctors office or another clinic. My reality as an LPN is probably clinics, prisons, LTC and doctors offices. So why not go to a job where I can master these things early in my career?

The clinic is closed on Sunday and I'd be off by 730 each night. (This is an improvement from rotating between 2nd and 3rd shift in the same week)

I think this is an awesome opportunity, but I hesitate because I'm a new nurse and I'd hate to leave after 3 months. I just think it looks bad. Any advice? Is working in a non medical facility a worse case scenario for a new grad? When I talk to other nurses some of them say it is. Nurses at my facility suggest all the new nurses work PRN somewhere to "use their skills".

[Rosewood1225]

Hi! I graduated from a MSN (pre-licensure RN) program in March. I have been working at my current job for about 4 months, and I have been applying to other jobs. It took me a while to muster up the courage to apply elsewhere even though I have been incredibly unhappy. I think as long as you know what you truly want and you have a clear idea of your professional goals, it will not look "bad." Furthermore, from the duties you have described, you are utilizing your nursing skills. It is all about how you market yourself. I will also say that the worst case scenario for a new grad is no job at all. :) Your situation is quite fortunate when compared to new grads that have not found a job in months or more. So, I say: go for it. If it is what you truly desire, pursue it. Let us know how it all works out!! :)

[sunshyne17]

I'm with rosewood - go for it. Life's too short for what ifs. :)