Need a quick answer

[catlady, BSN, RN]

I started a new job two weeks ago. It was not what I really wanted, but I've been wanting to break back into acute care and the offers were not exactly flying off the shelf. I was really hoping for this second job to come through, but they took forever on the background check and I finally had to decide to go work somewhere, so I took the first job. Since I've started, I know that I will either need to leave or transfer within a few months because it's just not where I want to be.

Now the second job is calling. I want to go there. But I feel like I would be an incredible crumb just to leave where I am now. Yet I don't want to stay some place where I don't want to be. I can see both sides, and can't make a decision. I'm stalling on calling back the second job, but I have to tell them something. Help!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Depending on how long you've been there, i dont know i would worry to much about leaving the job for the one you want. If your sure you dont want to be in the environment that you are, and they havent invested a lot of time and money already into your orientation process, i dont know i would worry to much about leaving. IF you havent been there long anyway its not like you would need that particular job for your resume. Nurses change jobs everyday.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Is your current employer investing resources in providing an orientation for you? If so ... and you have no intention of staying ... then it is a bit unethical for you to remain there and consume those resources knowing you will leave soon. That's another way to look at it.

Yes, taking your current job without making a committment to it was ethically questionable ... but you can't change that now. If you are not going to stay long enough for your employer's investment to pay off, then it is better to leave sooner rather than later, before they have invested more in you.

Yes, it may give you a bad reputation at your current place of employment and you may have trouble getting a job there in the future. Can you afford to deal with that possible consequence? If not, you might want to stay where you currently are for at least a year or two before moving on. However, staying for only little longer will not help much. Either leave now or committ to staying long enough to justify their investment in you. Don't do something in between.

llg

[NewYorkCityRN]

In my honest opinion, do what makes YOU happy. If you are positive that the second job is the one you REALLY want, then go for it. Just be careful in case it isn't all it's cracked up to be. The last thing I want to do is be at a job I don't really want to be at. Only YOU can make yourself happy...do it! If this is what you have truly been looking for and waiting for, then I say stop wasting the other company's time and go work where you have wanted to. You'll be happier and in the end, so will everyone else. I wouldn't want to work along side a nurse who really doesn't want to be there. It's a huge downer. Good luck to you!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

Not a lot to add, but I do love those kitty avatars.

Back on-topic, I'd give some serious thought about the second job that kept you waiting so long. Is it going to be typical of them to leave you hanging? Was the time it took to get back to you reasonable?

I agree that leaving sooner seems better than later. If it's a question of getting your prefered specialty, or a job much closer to home, or something along those lines, I think I'd explain that along with my notice.