New Grad, First Job, Should I stay

[nursek17]

Hi Everyone! Thanks in advance for any advice. I will try to make this as uncomplicated as possible even though the situation is sort of confusing...

I graduated in May. Just recently got my first job as RN, literally just had my first shift yesterday. Today I found out that we will most likely be moving to another state within 2-3 months (spouses job and unavoidable). I now am unsure what to do about the job I JUST started. I want to make sure what I do will not look terrible on my resume. My concerns are that if I stay until we move 3 months of RN experience at a job before leaving will make me look unreliable preventing me from getting an interview and explaining why I had to leave the job. My other concern is that if I do not keep working at this job as to not waste their time/resources to train me what I will not be able to get a job where I move as I will once again have no experience.

I am feeling pretty stuck so any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

[suanna]

This is a "no-brainer". If you are wealthy enough to go 2 or 3 mos without a paycheck why the heck did you go into nursing to begin with? My advise, keep the job. Most orientations are 2-4 weeks. That gives you 4-8 weeks on the job before you have to leave. Give your employer plenty of notice (not now, when you are ready to move) that you are going to have to "UNAVOIDABLY BUT QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY" move out of state, and want to give 3-4 weeks notice so they have time to get someone else in place. Thank them for the opportunity to practice and offer your most sincere regrets that you can't continue to practice in this wonderful position. New grads are more likely than not to change jobs once or twice in thier first year of practice. Your employer knows this. You at least have a legitimate reason for leaving other than the grass looks greener elswhere. Take the experience and run with it.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Please do not waste your employer's resources. Orientations are expensive for any organization and are not usually 2-4 weeks, but much longer. How long is your orientation scheduled to take?

Three months of experience (which obviously includes orientation) will not open any doors for you. Use your newly free time to research positions in your new location. Your husband obviously has a job so you won't be destitute.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Why not give your employer the decision? They will appreciate your honesty and can decide if it will benefit them or not.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I like Crunch's idea best. After that, I agree with Roser.

When you say you will "most likely be moving" does that mean you will definitely be moving, or just maybe?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I say "keep the job." It's not being very nice to your employer ... but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. The 3 months of experience will help you learn and may help you get your next job.

One thing that strikes me about your first post is that you say that you "most likely" will be moving. That means that it is possible that you won't be moving. Something could happen or come up that could prevent you from moving. (E.g. Something could happen to husband or to his job that is not what you expect.) Heaven forbid, he could be fired -- and there you would be unemployed.

Keep the job, learn what you can, be as good as an employee as you can be for your employer. When things become 100% definite, let them know that this "unexpected job transfer" is happening and ask them how they would like you to handle it. If you are still on orientation, they may want your resignation to be effective immediately. If you are far enough along that your skills are valuable to them, they may want you to work as long as humanly possible while they find a replacement. Either way, be gracious and try to accommodate their needs at that time in exchange for not telling them about the possibility of a move sooner.

"Play the game" a little get what you need without hurting them any more than you have to.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"Most likely" means it's still up in the air. You most likely need to work.

Your employer's needs are not the issue here, they can take care of themselves. Take advantage of any training you will receive.

As far as your resume'... if the reason for leaving is "relocation".. it's never a problem.

Good luck, let us know how it's going.

[nursek17]

Thank you everyone! I actually will know for certain if we are moving or not in a week so I of course wont be making any decisions until I know for certain. I should have specified in my post that I was wondering what the best thing would be to do if I find out that we are 100% moving (my fault sorry!) I really appreciate all of the insight and advice!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Suana and IIG are right. keep the job...UNLESS--some new grad hires have something in the job offer/contract that states you are obligated to stay xx amount of time and if you leave early you are responsible to pay back $$$$ for training. That amount can be significant. If that is the case and you have to move, you may want to get out before training proceeds. But if not, stay there, just give adequate notice before you go.

One more thing--many of the large hospital corporations are nationwide (or at least in several states) such as HCA. I would find out if the one you work at is like that. If so, you may be able to transfer rather than quit!