Quitting a job after a short time

[nursemayj]

About two and a half months ago I changed jobs because I wanted new experience as an oncology nurse. I have only worked in one specialty and have never done floor nursing. I thought working in oncology would be a good fit because I like to specialize, I am very interested in cancer and cancer treatments and I thought that I would like 3rd shift. Well, I love third shift but this job doesn't give me the experience that I wanted. It's more like floor nursing with patients that happen to have cancer, instead of focusing on those diagnoses and the treatments, I am doing med-surg floor nursing, the cancer seems like a side note. I hate floor nursing, I am constantly stressed and already I know that this job isn't for me and I don't want to "hack it out" for 6 months to a year but I have never quit a job like this but I feel like I need to--for my sanity and I feel like just "hanging on" for the sake of not quitting early does a disservice to the unit and the patients. However I want to be able to work in another dept in this hospital. Has anyone had this experience? If so, any advice on how to approach the manager and what was your luck with moving to another dept? I'm afraid they are going to say that they can't let me move on right away, they can do that if there's a "need" in the dept and the dept is still hiring. I just want to make sure that I handle this in a way that I ensure my best outcome for getting the experience that I was hoping to get here without being stuck in a job that is making me miserable for months. Thanks for any help!

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

Honestly, there really is no good advice for staying in that particular hospital if you want off the unit. You can try to transfer but I wouldn't hold your breath. You will likely have to find a new employer. I think what your looking for is an oncology office or chemo nurse. Our onc floor is also MS, I think many are like that.

Besides that, any MS floor stinks. I'm 5 months in and while its gotten easier, I can't say its a job I enjoy.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Most experienced nurses (possibly your managers?) will tell you that the inclination to jump ship within a few months of starting a new job is very common. They will also tell you that (in their experience), most will go on to master their skillsets and some will even come to enjoy the position. Therefore, I don't think that it would be a good thing for you to try to bail on this position after just 2.5 months. If it does not work out, you will still have implanted some doubts in your managers' minds.

From the other (hiring) side: if you bailed on this job after such a short trial, will you also bail on them?