Leave Great Job?

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Right now I am working the perfect job as a Resident Service's Director at a senior living facility. I am essentially the Director of Nursing and I help train and teach new employees. I also do some nursing tasks. I work m-f 8-430 and no holidays or weekends and it is across the street from my house.

The problem is I just graduated RN school last May and I don't have a job that offers hands on experience. I love my job but everyone tells me everyday that I am wasting my time. I have some interviews lined up for hospital jobs but it makes me sad thinking about leaving my dream job and schedule. I also have 2 children so the schedule and distance are so great and I won't see a job like that in nursing for a long time.

So I guess I am just looking for advice from seasoned professionals.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Keep the dream job. Not all nursing is "hands on". Are you supervising nurses, implementing new programs, managing budgets, teaching..do you like the population? Sounds like you have a leadership position.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Well do you want a floor position? What do you want to do in the future?

Honestly only you can answer that question. If you want to do different things in your career you will have to get experience beyond what you have. You will need hospital experience.

I would sit down with your husband & talk about what would be best for your family.

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First off congrats at getting your RN

Why would you have to leave? Just because you have your RN does not mean you just have to have a hospital job. You have a family and if this job has been perfect for you I'd hate you to leave it and months later kick yourself!

Maybe stick with this job and is there any jobs that you could qualify working for this facility that would be step ups to the job you have now. You could advance to other opertunities within the facility.

I feel every nurse CNA has a spot for them. This could be yours and you can still be proud of the job you have and show your RN name tag with pride

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Specializes in Rehabilitation,Critical Care.

Don't leave the job that makes you happy. Seriously, follow what your heart says because ultimately it will be all about YOU in the end. Congrats!

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Thanks everyone! Your advice is the same my family has been telling me. I suppose I could get a PRN hospital job to keep up/ train for new skills. I am in a management position because I worked for the company for 5 years and when I graduated RN school last year the person in my position was let go. So I am lacking in hands on skills but training and teaching about/ working with Alzheimers patients is my passion. I love what I do. I am just unsure of what would happen if my company would go out of business what I would be able to do without on the floor experience.

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Thanks everyone! Your advice is the same my family has been telling me. I suppose I could get a PRN hospital job to keep up/ train for new skills. I am in a management position because I worked for the company for 5 years and when I graduated RN school last year the person in my position was let go. So I am lacking in hands on skills but training and teaching about/ working with Alzheimers patients is my passion. I love what I do. I am just unsure of what would happen if my company would go out of business what I would be able to do without on the floor experience.

They say in affiliated fields that geriatrics is where the jobs will be, I would think your experience plus RN will keep doors open.

And have you read thread after thread of people who miserable on the floor, for a variety of reasons? Why bring that into your world unless that's the work you want to do?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

There is going to be a huge influx of geriatric patients as we Baby Boomers move into old age. If working with the elderly is your passion, stick with it! There are many opportunities in this field and it sounds to me like you've already discovered your perfect set-up. Like others have said, hospital floor work isn't necessarily where it's at. It's definitely not for everyone, and you don't have to do it just because some people say you should in order to gain experience. You ARE gaining experience, not in hands-on care but in assessment, care planning and documentation. You are a leader in your workplace and a teacher, advocate, and friend to your residents. Who says that doesn't count as experience?

Stay where you are happy. :)

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you'll always have your nursing license as long as you renew it every couple of years. keep the job that's making you happy right now until it no longer makes you happy. that's what i would do. bedside nursing will always be there when you're ready.

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Ignore the naysayers. Do NOT leave your dream job. You have worked there for 5 years, they did not move you into the role of Director because you are cute, they put you there because you are competent, have a passion for your work and have your RN.

Bedside nursing is not the end all be all.

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

Happiness is usually #1 IMO.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

If you're happy stay there. No reason to give up a job that makes you happy.

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