Leaving at 6 months in?

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I can understand this point of view....somewhat. Maybe I'm overly cynical, but it seems to me that hospitals factor in new-grad turnover (and nurse turnover generally) as part of the cost of doing business.

Many organizations are "factor(ing) in new-grad turnover" by simply refusing to hire new grads. Others are dealing with the problem by insisting on these new-grad contracts. As more and more organizations find the contracts aren't sufficient, I predict they will move into the "new grads need not apply" camp. What other ways do you think organizations can "factor in" the cost of multiple new employees leaving while they are still costing the organization a lot of money?

New grad turnover has been higher in recent years than it's ever been before, and, right or wrong, hospitals perceive new grads as less prepared to enter practice (and needing more extensive, and expensive, orientation) than ever before. Many of them feel they've been badly burned by new grads. Some hospitals were starting to post "new grads need not apply" on their websites before the economy tanked -- while the recession exacerbated the problem, this phenomenon was not entirely a result of the recession, and I doubt that it will be resolved simply by the economy improving.

Here is the thing about being loyal to an employer. I don't think it is the way it used to be. There is no loyalty from the employer to the nurse so why should I be loyal to my employer?

I was told that I would have an extensive orientation, that I would have regular meetings to discuss progress and would have 4-6 patients. I was lied to. My "extensive" orientation was about 5 weeks total, 3 of which I was basically left to fend for myself while my preceptor did her homework for her BSN classes. I did not have regular meetings to discuss my progress, I had one meeting at the end of orientation. And 4-6 patients? Please. I routinely have anywhere from 5-8 patients....yes, some shifts I have six but I often have 7-8.

So no. I, personally, do not have any loyalty to my employer. Also, my unit has hired a bunch of new graduates after me, mainly because no one but the "I need an RN job to pay my rent" variety would last on my unit...and even they are dwindling.

My unit did not "do me a favor" by training me. The work conditions are such that they cannot attract anyone but new gradues to work there.

I understand why preceptors lose interest in training new graduates, but perhaps places need to start looking at WHY they are unable to keep people and WHY there is such a high turnover. Some of it may be because newer nurses don't have the same loyalty as their once was, but sometimes it may just be that it is a terrible place to work.

In the case of the OP, even if your current job isn't terrible I say go for your dream job. Your employer does not give a rat's a** about your career . What you owe your employer is to be at your scheduled shifts on time, for the duration of your shifts, and to do your absolute best for your patients and coworkers during the shifts, and the required amount of notice while quitting as per your company policy. Beyond that, you owe them nothing and believe me, they don't feel for you either!

Specializes in General Surgery Assist.

I understand where u are coming from, i left my home care position after being there for 5 months. It was a deadend job, I was basically babysitting my patient. Currently orientating in a dialysis unit and so far i really like it. My preceptor moves REALLY fast and expects me to do the same but i would rather do it slow and be thorough and correct vs working fast being sloppy and making major mistakes. Do what makes you happy!

Here is what I will say about the whole "fear of being labelled a job hopper." Do I think that leaving one job six months in will make you look like a job hopper, particularly in the same company? No, no I do not. However I do urge the OP (or anyone reading this) to try and make sure that the next place you are going too is a job that makes sense with you career goals. For example, in the case of the OP L&D is the specialty she wants so I say go for it. A friend of mine is a med surg nurse and wants to do ICU, but left my med surg unit for another med surg unit....and that, I believe, was a bad move. Don't leave just to leave....it needs to make sense....because if you can't explain it to yourself how does it look on paper!

Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Ideally it is best to stay for a year or two. BUT if you're sure this job is where you want to be I'd say go for it and risk burning a bridge with your current unit.

If you get this job and stay there 10 years I doubt your next potential employer will say "well he/she DID only stay on the Med surg unit for 6 month...I'm not sure if he/she can commit"

Just make sure you're confident in your decision or possibly stay PRN at your current job.

Thank you!

I have the interview next week, so I'm hopeful to finally land my OB job! If it wasn't a better opportunity, then I would certainly stick my year out. But I've always known that if L&D came calling, then I would want to pursue it.

I've learned so much on my floor. I'm so grateful for my manager and employer for investing in me, but I know this would be an invaluable opportunity for my future career.

I know nurses frequently move around and find their niche, so I know that's not uncommon. I have this innate fear of being labeled a job-hopper and never landing a decent job again. But if I get L&D, I know that I will stay for longer than a year. So my shortest job would be at 5-6 months.

I'm gonna read up on OB and prepare to dazzle at that interview!

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Hey everyone!

I hope I'm posting this in the right forum. I'm a new grad with 5 months of experience on an ortho/med-surg floor. I've been looking for labor and delivery jobs lately and I finally secured an interview at a local hospital!

I just wanted some unbiased opinions about how it could affect my professional career if I were to leave my current job at 6 months (by the time I work out a notice, it will be about 6 months). I know I don't have an offer yet and I certainly won't leave my current job until I do, but I have always loved L&D. I wanted to work in L&D before graduating, but I was offered my current job and L&D wasn't hiring.

With all of that being said, I feel like I have given ortho a good shot and I have learned so much already about being a nurse. However, L&D positions don't come around too often where I live. I just wanted to hear some feedback from everyone!

Thanks!

Are you sure L/D is what you want? Because if you do get the job then you should stick it out for a minimum of two years so you don't have a lot of short-term jobs on your resume.

I stuck it out with my med/surg job for eight months and now I am PRN. I got another job in an entirely differently specialty and plan on sticking around for quite sometime. Is it possible for you to go PRN in your ortho/med-surg job while working FT in L/D? That is what I would do.

Here is the thing about being loyal to an employer. I don't think it is the way it used to be. There is no loyalty from the employer to the nurse so why should I be loyal to my employer?

I was told that I would have an extensive orientation, that I would have regular meetings to discuss progress and would have 4-6 patients. I was lied to. My "extensive" orientation was about 5 weeks total, 3 of which I was basically left to fend for myself while my preceptor did her homework for her BSN classes. I did not have regular meetings to discuss my progress, I had one meeting at the end of orientation. And 4-6 patients? Please. I routinely have anywhere from 5-8 patients....yes, some shifts I have six but I often have 7-8.

So no. I, personally, do not have any loyalty to my employer. Also, my unit has hired a bunch of new graduates after me, mainly because no one but the "I need an RN job to pay my rent" variety would last on my unit...and even they are dwindling.

My unit did not "do me a favor" by training me. The work conditions are such that they cannot attract anyone but new gradues to work there.

I understand why preceptors lose interest in training new graduates, but perhaps places need to start looking at WHY they are unable to keep people and WHY there is such a high turnover. Some of it may be because newer nurses don't have the same loyalty as their once was, but sometimes it may just be that it is a terrible place to work.

In the case of the OP, even if your current job isn't terrible I say go for your dream job. Your employer does not give a rat's a** about your career . What you owe your employer is to be at your scheduled shifts on time, for the duration of your shifts, and to do your absolute best for your patients and coworkers during the shifts, and the required amount of notice while quitting as per your company policy. Beyond that, you owe them nothing and believe me, they don't feel for you either!

I couldn't agree more! I feel like some experienced nurses don't understand this. And JUST like you said, the unit needs to look at WHY they are unable to keep nurses. My unit has a TON of new grads and it's not because my unit is "being nice," it's because the conditions are awful and experienced nurses can finally move elsewhere.

And to elkpark: People have to look out for themselves. If the job is seriously making them unhappy, then they should do what's best for them (granted giving notice before leaving). Like what has been reiterated above, the hospital does not care about you, you need to take care of yourself.

And to elkpark: People have to look out for themselves. If the job is seriously making them unhappy, then they should do what's best for them (granted giving notice before leaving). Like what has been reiterated above, the hospital does not care about you, you need to take care of yourself.

I'm well aware of all the points made above. IMO, avoiding job-hopping is "looking out for (yourself)." A few short-term jobs on a job application make it more difficult to find new jobs. Job-hopping not only screws over the employer who took a chance on a new grad, it hurts the next batch of new grads who want to find jobs, and it hurts you. Doing what you feel is "best for you" in the short term may end up hurting you in the long term. Especially during a period that is a "buyer's market" in nursing employment, when employers are in a position to be as picky as they wish. People can easily "take care of themselves" until they find themselves unemployable.

Here is the thing about being loyal to an employer. I don't think it is the way it used to be. There is no loyalty from the employer to the nurse so why should I be loyal to my employer?

I was told that I would have an extensive orientation, that I would have regular meetings to discuss progress and would have 4-6 patients. I was lied to. My "extensive" orientation was about 5 weeks total, 3 of which I was basically left to fend for myself while my preceptor did her homework for her BSN classes. I did not have regular meetings to discuss my progress, I had one meeting at the end of orientation. And 4-6 patients? Please. I routinely have anywhere from 5-8 patients....yes, some shifts I have six but I often have 7-8.

So no. I, personally, do not have any loyalty to my employer. Also, my unit has hired a bunch of new graduates after me, mainly because no one but the "I need an RN job to pay my rent" variety would last on my unit...and even they are dwindling.

My unit did not "do me a favor" by training me. The work conditions are such that they cannot attract anyone but new gradues to work there.

I understand why preceptors lose interest in training new graduates, but perhaps places need to start looking at WHY they are unable to keep people and WHY there is such a high turnover. Some of it may be because newer nurses don't have the same loyalty as their once was, but sometimes it may just be that it is a terrible place to work.

In the case of the OP, even if your current job isn't terrible I say go for your dream job. Your employer does not give a rat's a** about your career . What you owe your employer is to be at your scheduled shifts on time, for the duration of your shifts, and to do your absolute best for your patients and coworkers during the shifts, and the required amount of notice while quitting as per your company policy. Beyond that, you owe them nothing and believe me, they don't feel for you either!

This....a thousand times over. Until a place I work at shows some loyalty, I don't care if you leave at six months or six years. The first ER I worked in was poorly run/managed I left after seven months for another ER position, where I stayed for almost six years before I moved.

Specializes in Long Term Care and Home Health.

A lot of bootlickers and bullies in this thread that probably no doubt contribute to the culture of new grads wanting to get tf ASAP..

Leaving a job 6 months in is not the end of the world. Esp if u can cite your health as being affected. Plenty of places NEED nurses and no, they don't care if you're a new grad. 

Best thing you can do is find one or 2 decent PRN positions while u shop around for a more long term position. That way your work history looks more stable.

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