Leaving new job- not a new RN

[Pedsnurse1026]

I see lots of threads on this topic from new grads but not from experienced nurses (not super-experienced, but not new). I worked on a med/surg floor for 3 years and recently changed jobs. Problem is, the job I ended up accepting was not the one I applied for (recruiter offered this one to interview for) and I'm really not liking this new job.

I have only worked in this new job for 2 months, but I'm feeling torn whether to stick it out or to look for other options. I don't want to be labelled as a job-hopper, but I left my previous position for a new opportunity that I would love and this new job isn't a good fit.

[cleback]

Why don't you like it about it? I mean, if there is any chance of adapting or changing your responsibilities to better suit your goals/interests that's probably better than changing jobs again.

[caliotter3]

For me, the decision to look elsewhere would primarily depend upon the availability of options. New jobs to go to in any given area are usually finite in number. For some people, there is no option to change jobs at all. Lose a job and be unemployed for two years before one decides to move away? That type of job environment keeps a lot of less than happy employees in place.

[Pedsnurse1026]

The overall culture of the unit is what I don't like. The only thing that matters is how quickly things can get done and not the patients safety.

[Pedsnurse1026]

There is another opportunity that has presented itself to me. I would definitely not leave my current position before getting another! My concern is how this will look on my resume long term if I were to leave.

[JKL33]

No one can predict with any certainty how it will be looked at, since hiring individuals may be more or less sympathetic to your exact career choices. Most I've come across would respect and understand a situation where things just weren't a good fit. But someone else may be concerned about "job-hopping".

One thing I wanted to mention is that, while leaving one position after a short period of time (such as your current position) may not be a big deal and may indeed be the right thing to do, it really behooves you to consider exactly what it is that is disappointing about the job and then ask yourself what are the chances that there are similar disappointments in the next place you might look also. For instance, I'm disgruntled about a couple of nursing trends that I deal with at work, but I know they are happening kind of across the board in acute care these days - so it wouldn't necessarily benefit me to change jobs for solely those reasons. And the thing is, you leave one job, no big deal. When you find the same disappointments at the next job, you may eventually decide to leave that, too...and now you're starting a pattern that will definitely be of concern to future employers.

Good luck with your decision ~