Leaving First RN Job Prior to One Year

[phassy21, BSN]

Hey guys! So I’m currently working at a prestigious hospital on a cardiac Stepdown unit, but I’m not happy whatsoever and I recently got a job offer at another well known, teaching hospital in a CVICU (which is my goal unit). Long story short, I moved 600 miles away for my current job and I knew no one here prior to moving leaving my boyfriend and family behind. There have been a lot of things that my current job does that are extremely unsafe, such as, short staffing and floating us to units we have no business working. 5 months after starting I was floated to burn and the ED when I have only been trained for cardiac stepdown. On top of that, they require mandatory overtime. I am always exhausted, always stressed, and very lonely. My boyfriend lives back where I am from so he encouraged me to apply to the hospital there because it has an amazing reputation to work for and I’d at least be close to friends and family. I was offered a CVICU position within a week of applying and I’ll start in April if I accept the job, so I will have worked at my current job for 9 months before leaving. All of my managers have been supportive and expressed that they would be references for me in the future. I am just needing reassurance that leaving this soon won’t ruin my future chances at grad school. I do plan on staying at this CVICU for minimum 2 years and getting my CCRN before I apply to school so I’m hoping that helps my chances. Any advice would be appreciated. 

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

It can be a gamble when a new grad leaves their first job before at least a year. In your case, however, it sounds as though this other job will not only be more in line with your professional goals but also be better for you personally by being closer to your bf, friends, and family. I think you would be wise to accept this offer even if it's cutting your first year short by a few months.

That said, we can often fall into a trap of believing grass is greener with the next job, and especially new nurses seem to get into this line of thinking. Certainly some jobs are toxic and not suited for our personalities but there are some issues that persist in every workplace. 1. Staffing- unless your facility has mandated ratios (California) or an extremely powerful union, you're going to see short staffing almost everywhere even on units that claim to be fully staffed. This is a cold reality in healthcare, that being said short staffing exists on a spectrum with some places a little better than others. 2. Having to float is a very frequent concern among staff and unless you work in a highly specialized environment typically you will be required to float. Now, a good place will acknowledge that you may not have training in the ED or mother/baby, and have you function as a Tech and not have an assignment that way you can still help but not be out of your depth. I actually like floating because it allows you to be exposed to things you might not see in your given specialty, sometimes thinking of it that way makes it a little bit easier to get pulled.

Good luck

[phassy21, BSN]

11 minutes ago, TheMoonisMyLantern said:

It can be a gamble when a new grad leaves their first job before at least a year. In your case, however, it sounds as though this other job will not only be more in line with your professional goals but also be better for you personally by being closer to your bf, friends, and family. I think you would be wise to accept this offer even if it's cutting your first year short by a few months.

That said, we can often fall into a trap of believing grass is greener with the next job, and especially new nurses seem to get into this line of thinking. Certainly some jobs are toxic and not suited for our personalities but there are some issues that persist in every workplace. 1. Staffing- unless your facility has mandated ratios (California) or an extremely powerful union, you're going to see short staffing almost everywhere even on units that claim to be fully staffed. This is a cold reality in healthcare, that being said short staffing exists on a spectrum with some places a little better than others. 2. Having to float is a very frequent concern among staff and unless you work in a highly specialized environment typically you will be required to float. Now, a good place will acknowledge that you may not have training in the ED or mother/baby, and have you function as a Tech and not have an assignment that way you can still help but not be out of your depth. I actually like floating because it allows you to be exposed to things you might not see in your given specialty, sometimes thinking of it that way makes it a little bit easier to get pulled.

Good luck

Thank you for your response. I definitely understand that grass is not always greener, but I did my preceptorship at the hospital I received the offer from and know many people working there so I definitely have a general idea of how things go there. Plus I worked in a hospital setting 2 years prior to nursing so I get that it’s not absolute perfection anywhere! I could definitely manage my current job if I weren’t so lonely outside of work. I appreciate your input ?

[Sour Lemon]

33 minutes ago, phasleiet said:

 There have been a lot of things that my current job does that are extremely unsafe, such as, short staffing and floating us to units we have no business working. 5 months after starting I was floated to burn and the ED when I have only been trained for cardiac stepdown.

Please tell me you're not using your real picture while saying these things about your current (or ANY) employer? If you are, you can probably guess what my advice is.

The working conditions you describe are unfortunately common at the moment. Things are beginning to get back to normal at my hospital, thank goodness.

If you have another firm job offer and want to quit, then quit. They'd have no problem letting you go if they no longer needed you.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I would leave for the job back home.  I really doubt that leaving this job after 9 months would affect your future career in any way.

[Emergent, RN]

Even if new job is just as bad as your present one, you want to be near family and you have a job offer, plus 9 months experience. You're not totally seasoned,  but a lot better than a new grad.

Go!

[Emergent, RN]

Another thought is, when there is such a need for nurses as there is now, that is the time to move towards a job you particularly want.

The pendulum will swing the other way when the job market gets tight again, which it will. Get a job in your hometown, start building up seniority, learn your trade well, and bond with your unit coworkers. That will leave you better prepared for the inevitable contracting of the nursing  job marketplace

 

[1gr8trnstudent, ADN, BSN, RN]

You will be fine leaving your current job. You have a firm offer already. I left cardiac step down with 7 months experience and went to the ED. I currently live hours away from home too and want to move my family closer to home so I can have family social outings outside of the stressful ED. P.s. I don't like hanging with coworkers..

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

When they ask why you left your previous job, you can (honestly) say you moved to be closer to family. There’s nothing the matter c that. First jobs are often like dating— nobody should expect to make a decision to marry on a first date. 
I agree c the previous posters that staffing hasn’t been optimal for donkey’s years, the grass is always greener, and all that. Remember that you’ll likely be floating to other units now and then wherever you go— look on this as a free way to learn something you’ll end up using later, because it’s probably true.
But if it looks like your desired path lies in that direction, go for it and good luck!

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

Any updates from the OP?