New RN, leaving after 6 months unprofessional?

[RubyRubyRuby]

I am a 24 year old recently graduated RN 4 months into my first role in a busy endocrinology medical ward. I haven't been happy in this role from day one, I have been unsupported and the ratio is sometimes one nurse to 10 patients. I have always wanted to travel for an extended period and an excellent opportunity has arisen to go in two months time; I'll be 6 months into my role.

I don't want to miss out on this opportunity and I feel that if I don't go soon I may never go travelling but I'm also aware that it could look unprofessional from a future employer's perspective and I know that it is recommended to stay for at least a year in your first role while you are still in the transitional period. Does anybody have any advice for me?

[guest940422]

Not all units that need travelers are unstaffed due to no teamwork. The nurses I work with are excellent, the reason we are not fully staffed is because we're an hour to 2 hours from any fully functioning towns.

Travelers are the EASIEST to get rid of. Of course if you aren't cutting it or ruffle feathers then you're probably not going to last long. If you don't fit there may be another traveler that matches the puzzle better. It costs more money to have a traveler come in and fill staff positions than just hiring another FTE so if it's not working out then you're paying extra for something that's essentially broken.

I'm very appreciative of travelers that come out to our hospital. I've made sure that, even though they don't get bonus pay, they get the Christmas hams and Thanksgiving turkeys or the shirts and nurse appreciation gifts that the hospital gives out. I will not however keep someone that is going to bring drama or a bad work ethic into an otherwise great nursing team.

You are right I should have been more specific, I have been to many units who were thrilled to have me and treated me great. Likewise, I have been a staff nurse giving warm welcomes to travelers. Often units need travelers because of seasonal needs, not staffing or teamwork issues.

I just like new nurses to know anything is possible and you have to be ready for both good and bad units. You also have to be able to say something when you are put onto a unit you aren't comfortable with. Travel nursing is the best thing I have ever done for myself, but it does have some cons that are not as heavily advertised.