New Grad - Should I quit my job and take another offer??

sherri64 · Mar 17, 2016

I agree. Work where your heart is at. That really counts in this business. If you aren't as happy where you are, it will show to your coworkers and your patients.

TNnursejane, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2016

If I were in your shoes, I'd shoot for Hospital B. I was a critical care nurse for 20+ years and loved it. Saying that though, Beth is right. Business is business. I worked lots of overtime and even sometimes just out of the goodness of my heart would I do things for an employer and believe me when it comes to loyalty, it just doesn't exist anymore. I'd shoot for the stars on this one! Good luck!

marylou5 · Mar 17, 2016

It's all about ethics. You accepted the offer from Hospital A and are in orientation. You made a commitment. The expectation was/is that when you accept a position that you will honor it and give them at least a year. Time and effort have already been invested in your employment..paperwork, perhaps assignments of others shifted to accommodate your employment etc. If you worked for me and did not honor that commitment, I would simply put you on a 'No Rehire' list ie..does not honor commitment/quit during orientation for a 'better' job! When future employers want a list of former employers for a reference check, that 'No Rehire' will come back to haunt you big time! It's a black mark. I understand that you prefer another position, but ethically you are on shaky ground...in other words.. a) your commitment means nothing to any employer, b) you are not a team player and c) you'll jump ship and do what is best for you with no regard for the mess you leave behind. That's what your actions convey. You are a new graduate with no work history! If/when Hosp. B releases you for not passing exam (probability) or at the end of probation period, for whatever reason (possibility) what do you use for references for future employment? Those are all factual scenarios. It's best you consider that all your actions have reactions that will follow you forever, and then decide what is in your best interest for, not only today/right now but also future employment. Many nurses have found themselves cut out of great future opportunities because of unethical or selfish past actions ie..'slamming' doors when they left, not giving proper notice required, disrespecting/gossiping about previous employer etc etc. The nursing community is a very small integrated 'family' and whatever its members do,... or don't do.... is out there forever!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 23, 2016

My views of the ethics of the situation is pretty "neutral." I don't think you owe a lot to Hospital A yet as their investment has been small. So if everything were equal at the 2 jobs, and you had a long history of successful jobs with long tenure in nursing. I would say it was OK to switch to Hospital B.

However ... and this is big .... Are you prepared to face the consequences if you switch to Hosp. B and then fail NCLEX? -- or don't succeed in orientation at Hosp. B -- or find that you don't like Hosp. B as much as you thought? If something like any one of those things were to happy, you would be in really bad shape. No job at Hosp. B ... on the "do not hire" list at Hosp. A ... and a professional track record & reputation as having 2 failed jobs in a matter of a few months. If you switch to Hosp. B, you had better make that work or you are in deep trouble.

So, I would recommend that you stay at Hosp. A until your career is successfully launched and you are on solid footing. Other jobs at Hosp. B will be available in the future. Don't play with fire. Play it safe for now. Seek your dream job after you have a little experience and a track record of success.

2nd wind nurse · Mar 24, 2016

I would ask you how well you know hospital B. Are you familiar only with their credentials? Do you have any firsthand knowledge of the work environment? The staff dynamics? If you have started orientation at hospital A and can keep your position regardless of whether or not you pass the NCLEX, that tells me that they have some confidence in you , and are willing to invest in you. I too have left a job for a "better job" at a large, level 1 trauma center hospital in a busy metropolitan area. I was given kudos over an over for being recruited for a position in their critical care unit and have been told that if I could get a job there, I could go anywhere. But, for all the ooohs and aaahs, I had a miserable 10 months there. The management was terrible, and you felt like the Gestapo was constantly on your back just waiting for the nurses to make a mistake of some sort so they could have an opportunity to write you up. It was an every shift occurrence. The employee morale was bad too. you never felt like you were doing a good job. I think, you may want to consider how well you "fit in" with the staff at each hospital. As a new nurse, that is a huge help to getting you on your feet, and giving you confidence to learn. There will always be critical care opportunities, and the more experience you have going in to some of these jobs, the better. I wish you all the best, and a wonderful start to your nursing career.

EPIC_nurse · Mar 24, 2016

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

I left a job that I was happy enough in for the few weeks I was there, for what I thought was going to be a much better experience and career opportunity. Turns out I was wrong, and the second job (which I'm currently stuck at) was a horrible decision on my part that now I need to deal with. I feel as though I have burnt bridges at the first job (although they said they would take me back when I quit).

My thought is, if you are not in a horrible position at Hospital A, I would really consider whether Hospital B is going to be THAT much better and what you will do if it ends up that it is worse.