New job is disenchanting. Help

[cannady]

Hey all. I could use some advice. I recently went PRN at my job of almost 4 years in a very busy mixed ER to do straight pediatric ER.

I love pediatric patients and their families and have always wanted to fully switch. I went to one of the best and busiest children's hospital. While I love the hospital system, I hate the unit. I find it strange because I am ER 100%, no doubt about that. The problem is, the unit doesnt feel very ER like. We hold patients for a ridiculous amount of time, go way beyond stabilizing them to where it encroaches on floor nursing, and the doctors sometimes don't pick up a patient for hours! The whole flow of the ER just isn't organized enough, it's a mess! Nobody has assigned rooms, the nurse to patient ratio is low (only having 3 pts when you thrive on fast paced is tortue), I can't use half of my skills because they have special teams, and I'm not a fan of working with residents:fellows:and attendings all at once. Too many cooks in the kitchen and I think that's what slows it down. Plus, I am trauma certified...they are level 1....they see maybe 1 actual trauma every couple months- everyone else is a septic workup.

I loved my old job because of the learning experience and how crazy it is. I want to go back full time, and they will happily accept me. The only issue is that at the children's hospital, I've only been there 2.5 months. I don't want to burn the bridge, it will be a good fit in a more critical unit one day when I'm ready to slow down. Right now I just want to learn anything and everything, get my hands on experience, be pushed to be my best nurse self....I sadly dont see that happening in such a messy/slow environment. - I just didn't know that until I spent time there

Any advice?

[Emergent, RN]

Maybe you can stay on Per Diem at the new job? Or go part time and then pick up more shifts at your old job?

[cannady]

I would like that actually. It just doesn't seem realistic, as they hired me for full time only 2.5 months ago

[mtnNurse., BSN]

I would just stick it out until you've worked there the minimal number of months before you feel it's ok to leave without "burning the bridge". On the other hand, I don't think you'd burn a bridge by returning to your previous job. Especially since you've probably been an outstanding worker at your current job. Years down the road, why would they not hire you again with all the great experience you'll have gained at your old job?