Need advice please?

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Dec 6, 2018

Apply for the oncology position. If you get an interview, let them know that your current position is not a good fit.

Dragonfly949697 · Dec 6, 2018

What do I tell my current employer? Especially if the new one wants to call for reference? Dont mean to be stupid but dont wanna shoot myself in the foot. I want to do it in the right process.

EDNURSE20, BSN · Dec 7, 2018

What do I tell my current employer? Especially if the new one wants to call for reference? Dont mean to be stupid but dont wanna shoot myself in the foot. I want to do it in the right process.

Apply for the job. If you get an interview, then let your employer know before your interview.

Still dont get why why you waited 7 months for a med surg job though.

Sour Lemon · Dec 7, 2018

So I was not working for 7 months waiting on a job that I thought would be a good fit for me. I'm on a med surg floor days.....it is horrible. Lack of proper staffing and no support. The total opposite of what was presented to me at the start. I should have waited for the oncology position that I wanted, and of course is now available at another facility. I just need some thoughts on what the proper thing to do. I've been at this new job since Aug. My anxiety and nausea starts at the thought of going in to work and continues while there. Any thoughts would be good. Thank you!

It doesn't hurt to apply and see what they say ...but if they're interested in a new graduate who left their first job after a few months, that could be a red flag. And even if everything is great, you're likely to feel anxious and stressed because you lack experience. A lot of us felt that way in the beginning.

What I'm trying to say is that the grass may not be greener even if you're able to get over the fence.

Sour Lemon · Dec 7, 2018

What do I tell my current employer? Especially if the new one wants to call for reference? Dont mean to be stupid but dont wanna shoot myself in the foot. I want to do it in the right process.

You tell them NOTHING until you're ready to put in your notice. Most employers don't check references until they've made an offer. Others ask for permission to call a current manager. Say no if they're the latter ...no, until you have a written offer.

JKL33 · Dec 7, 2018

In your own mind you have to tease out what part of your current angst is related to being right in the thick of adjusting to totally new responsibilities and pressures, and what part of it is due to actual safety- or ethics-stressors that exist on the particular floor you're currently working. Basically, is this the stress of being new, or the stress of a totally unsafe environment?

You can read multiple posts here describing the general feelings commonly experienced in the new grad adjustment period. These are things that would likely be at least a little bit present even in the most ideal job/position - - because they are based in significantly increased responsibility + uncertainty + a bit of knowledge deficit.

I don't think you should leave a situation if the most likely thing is that you are simply in the midst of what is very commonly a stressful life transition. That's a situation where perseverance pays off - - and you wouldn't escape the situation by moving to a new position anyway.

If you cannot practice safely or are being treated poorly from an objective view, those are reasons to consider making a change.

Dragonfly949697 · Dec 8, 2018

Thanks for all replies. The thing is I took 7 months because I needed a change but didnt know what I wanted to do. Also transitioning with a life change of empty nesting. The healthcare system that i applied for and i am currently with seemed wonderful, as well as the department. I know there is a change period with any new position and I have analyzed myself to whether its change or lack of support and unsafe. The thing is I enjoy challenge and learning new things. That's why I changed job. I honestly dont have the support I need due to lack of nurses.....plus charge has at least 4 to 5 pts. So it's basically a lack of resources. Which in turn makes it for unsafe workloads. Oh and I've been a nurse for 12 years. Just looking for the right fit to be happy positive and find balance.

JKL33 · Dec 8, 2018

Sorry for my assumption!

If you have a good work record to go with your years of experience, there's little reason to not check out the onc job.

Dragonfly949697 · Dec 11, 2018

All good. Thank you for the support!

Sour Lemon · Dec 11, 2018

Thanks for all replies. The thing is I took 7 months because I needed a change but didnt know what I wanted to do. Also transitioning with a life change of empty nesting. The healthcare system that i applied for and i am currently with seemed wonderful, as well as the department. I know there is a change period with any new position and I have analyzed myself to whether its change or lack of support and unsafe. The thing is I enjoy challenge and learning new things. That's why I changed job. I honestly dont have the support I need due to lack of nurses.....plus charge has at least 4 to 5 pts. So it's basically a lack of resources. Which in turn makes it for unsafe workloads. Oh and I've been a nurse for 12 years. Just looking for the right fit to be happy positive and find balance.

The twelve years of experience changes everything. Yeah, just do what you want. I would.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 11, 2018

Thanks for all replies. The thing is I took 7 months because I needed a change but didnt know what I wanted to do....Oh and I've been a nurse for 12 years. Just looking for the right fit to be happy positive and find balance.

I agree with the above, your 12 years of work experience as a nurse and a good employment record is your get-out-of-jail-free card! However, I think you should think hard about how you accidently accepted the wrong job in the first place! :) The reason I say this is because I left a job with less than a year of work experience once, but like you, being an experienced nurse at the time and having a very good resume allowed me to find another job quickly. On the other hand, I reflected on what I should have done differently before accepting a position that was not a good fit, so that I never ever repeat that mistake again.

In my case, if I had completed the following prior to accepting the bad position I would have seen all of the red flags that would have allowed me to reject the job offer without a second thought:

1.) Asked questions of current and past employees of the facility and department (especially about the nursing leadership and the turnover rate)!

2.) Shadowed at least 1 shift or toured the facility and looked into the eyes of those that currently work there (you would be surprised by what a tour will show you if you are not bright-eyed and bushy tailed and/or desperate for a job).

3.) Talked to the nursing leadership (Yes, if you are a Staff RN you should talk to the charge nurses for your shift, the ANMs (if you have them), and Department Manager. If you are an ANM or above, you should also have a conversation with the Service Director and/or the CNE).

In other words, I highly encourage you to do your homework this time so you land a position in a facility and within a department you love! Good luck.