Leaving my first nursing job before 1 year?

[newgradRN267]

Hi, I am currently a new grad RN in a transition to practice program. The program consisted of strictly classroom education for the first month, then 8 weeks with a preceptor on the floor then you are considered off orientation. Through the first year, you meet monthly with your fellow new grads to complete an EBP. You technically "graduate" after one year once you finish and present your project. It is also key to note that you are a staff nurse once you begin on the floor. I am currently 1 month off of orientation, and I think the unit's true colors are showing. I work on a PCU/med tele floor. I don't hate my job, but I feel like it is definitely affecting my mental health. I feel like some days I have no support. I'm not where near lazy, I bust my butt off everyday, but always feel like it isn't enough. I know a lot of it has to do with being a new grad in general, but I'm not sure if it should be this bad. This was no where near my dream job when I graduated, but I moved states to a pretty busy city so nursing jobs were hard to come by especially in a specialty so I took what I could get. Currently this is about 5 positions open in the hospital NICU. The job description states 2 years experience preferred and I'm not sure if I should apply to it or not. I don't want to make myself look bad, or like I'm giving up, but this seems like a good opportunity. I found the nurse hiring manager's contact. I'm not sure if I will even get the job, and I do not want people at my current job to talk about me if they find out I applied and didn't get it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Please be kind :((

[JKL33]

I would stay put. Being a new grad is hard in general and nursing affects one's mental health in general, especially the dynamics of getting settled into a first role. You haven't said anything to portray that this is an unusual or extreme situation. We all have to do what we really think is best for ourselves but unless this is a completely crappy situation/you're being bullied/everything is terribly unsafe etc, then I advocate just going through the rough part (which is going to exist when settling into any new role) and getting your feet under you.

Very good likelihood it will get better as you learn and get a routine. 
 

good luck ~
 

 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Are you eligible for a transfer at this point? There's usually a minimum amount of time you need to be in a job before you can transfer. 6 months is typical. You may need to stick it out until then. I did leave my first nursing job before 1 year, but it was 11 months and I had an offer. One month off orientation is too soon in my opinion. It means you haven't had enough time to communicate with your supervisor and ask for the support you need. I feel like in one month you're still learning what kind of support you need. Try to solve the problems where you are first. If you still dislike this unit when you're eligible for a transfer, go then.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Please stay put.

You are one month out of orientation and applying for a job with two years of experience. It's not a good look to jump ship, and nurse managers talk among themselves.

Give yourself time. I promise things will look different to you in a year.

[delrionurse]

To be honest, if you don't feel supported and the work load is more than what you can do, that is a sign of bad management. No support is a deal breaker for me. (if there's no support, there's probably other issues as well, broken equipment, scarce supplies, 'staffing' issues, etc).  If nursing admin thinks they can cheat the nurse by not having adequate staff, who else are they cheating. The patient is being cheated!

If you have another job offer, I'd take that but I have learned not to trust any hospital. 9/10 you will be cheated as a floor nurse. 

[fromburnouttosuccessRN]

OP, I agree with the previous comments that staying until you are eligible for a transfer to a different unit is important. If it makes you feel any better, I left the bedside and my nurse residency program after about one year of experience (it was negatively impacting my mental health) and ended up in home health because they were hiring.  I did not feel ready but the orientation was excellent and the job was less overwhelming. If you do leave the bedside, home health is worth looking into. Also, some nursing jobs will provide free counseling or mental health resources worth looking into.

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

A year feels like a lifetime when you're a young new grad, but believe me, it's no time at all.

Grit your teeth and stay put for at least a year's post-grad experience. Honestly, you will look back and say, "How did the time fly by so fast?"

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

You will need to stay put and get those two years experience.  You likely are not eligible for transfer yet as many organizations require 9 months to 1 year before transferring.  Additionally you are still in the transition to practice program and as a new grad you can't move to a new unit until you have "graduated".  Every unit has their own issues and whatever unit you go to you will experience similar issues.

One month off of orientation is just getting started.  All of those feelings are similar to others. Reach out to others that started with you and ask about how they are coping. Ask them about what struggles they are having. 

[thehardpart]

You're still in a position to apply for other new grad positions at other hospitals. So if this isn't a fit, apply elsewhere. If offered another job, consider taking it.