New Grad, Career Advice Needed

Jolie, BSN · Nov 8, 2008

If I had a dollar for each of the recent posts related to new grads quitting jobs, then wondering how to go about finding a "better" position, I'd be rich!

I don't mean to be harsh. I'm just a little surprised at the number of new grads who seem to be ill-prepared for their first nursing positions, have little insight on how to make these jobs work and then struggle to find new positions when they quit the first after only a few months.

I think this stems from at least 2 factors: 1. Nursing education programs don't seem to effectively address professional issues such as interviewing, the hiring process, continuing education needs of new grads, communication skills of new grads, the responsibility of the new nurse to the employer, etc. 2. Many new grads have unrealistic expectations of their first jobs and don't seem to be willing to try to work things out.

First of all, no one expects a new grad to know everything or be able to function independently on day 1. It sounds as if your manager and fellow staff were actually rather supportive of you and satisfied with your progress. Is it possible that you were putting more pressure on yourself regarding your abilities and performance than they were putting on you? There is nothing wrong with being your own worst critic, as long as you put it in perspective and realize that while you would like to improve, your performance is acceptable for your level of experience at that time.

Secondly, when you realized that you were dis-satisfied, did you work with your preceptor, manager or nurse educator to improve your skills, knowledge base and comfort level, or did you privately decide to throw in the towel?

What do you desire in a new position that did not exist in this one? A different patient population? More or less acuity? Better nurse to patient ratio? Expanded orientation? Different hours? A shorter commute? Unless you can identify what is important to you in your next job, you will probably find yourself dissatisfied in the next job as well.

Hiring and orienting a new grad is a lengthy and expensive process. It takes at least a year for the unit to recoup its investment and begin to realize the benefit of the new nurse's expertise. When a manager offers a position to a new grad, she needs to have some reassurance that the grad will stay long enough to become an asset to the unit. That is why I recommend that new grads choose their first positions very carefully, with the intention of staying for at least a year or two (barring unsafe working conditions). Managers are understandably leery of hiring nurses with a history of job changes after only a few months.

Prior to interviewing for new positions, I suggest that you do some soul searching to determine exactly what you want in a new job. Come to the interview well-prepared with questions about orientation and mentoring of new staff, continuing education, support programs for new nurses, staff ratios, working conditions, etc. Acknowledge your short stay in your previous position and emphasize that you understand the importance of making a commitment to this employer. Ask to shadow a nurse to get a feel for the unit. Don't jump at the first offer, unless you are sure that it is a job you can and will stay with for at least a year.

Good luck.

I_Scream · Nov 8, 2008

Jolie, I really appreciate your professional insight. I know that you are far more experienced in this field and I totally respect your opinion.

I did talk to my NM a few weeks before I resigned. I requested for my hours to be cut down a little so I'll have some room to breathe. She refused, saying that it's better for me to just get out there and do it coz I wouldnt get enough experience if I cut down on my hours. I was already planning to resign that time when I talked to her, but I stuck around hoping and praying that things will get better for me. But everyday since then, I still felt the same if not worse. I was not happy and fulfilled and lost interest in the job that I really worked hard for. I also talked to other new grads too, and it seemed that their experiences were not as bad as mine.

You know Jolie, I've also dreamed to be a teacher, or something that had to know with project planning and management, counseling, etc. I know Nursing is diverse and can give me those opportunities, but not now for a 22-year-old like myself, I need to gain experience and get a strong footing before I can leap and reach my dreams.

I am humble to admit that I left my previous job because it was not a good fit for me. Yes, you are right that I may have expected differently or I may have not been prepared enough for my new role, but that was a decision I had to make. If I am given another opportunity and it'd be the same as my previous experience, then I just have to accept it as it is and move along.

Jolie, BSN · Nov 9, 2008

You know Jolie, I've also dreamed to be a teacher, or something that had to know with project planning and management, counseling, etc. I know Nursing is diverse and can give me those opportunities, but not now for a 22-year-old like myself, I need to gain experience and get a strong footing before I can leap and reach my dreams.

This part of your post made me grin. My last position involved management and project planning and I couldn't get out of it fast enough! Give me chaos at the bedside any day. I am capable of managing that. Other people and massive projects, not so much!

You are absolutely right that the beauty of our profession is its diversity. If you develop strong management skills, you will excel in many areas of nursing, because such skills are rare among nurses. They're not well taught in most nursing programs and few nurses get the opportunity to develop them on the job.

But in order to reach that point, you must develop some clinical expertise. That means a new job. Your explanation here of your decision to leave your position is heartfelt and understandable. Consider how you will explain this decision to a hiring manager while making the point that you want to commit to a new job. Your mention of the psych position concerns me a bit because it didn't seem well-planned. At this point it is imperative that you find a job that you reasonably expect to keep for 1-2 years. Do you homework and research facilities, including outpatient settings like the health department and physician offices. Ask friends, classmates and instructors for recommendations. Prepare for interviews by making a list of questions. Ask to shadow nurses. Ask them how satisfied they are with their jobs. Most will answer honestly. Ask how new grads are integrated into the unit. Consider working conditions and staff ratios. Don't make a rush decision.

Use this next job as a means of reaching your ultimate goal. If they provide tuition reimbursement, take some management and education classes.

Good luck to you.

I_Scream · Nov 9, 2008

Thank you again Jolie!

Yes, that was a rush position I must agree. That's why I didn't jump into it, so I wouldn't be in the exact same place where I am now.

I am also happy hearing about other new graduates who have been through the same experience, quitting their jobs before a year, and have gained something positive out of it. I am thrilled and motivated that maybe there is also something better for me out there.

Maybe next time I'd ask for a longer orientation program. I was only in orientation for 6 weeks. As a new grad from a foreign country with a different orientation towards nursing, I guess I needed a little more time. So maybe that's also what I'm going to look into with my new job.

I am going for an interview for an Oncology Position in a community hospital. What are your insights about this field?

Thank you.