Quitting my 1st RN job

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 5 of Quitting my 1st RN job

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Was there really a question here? The responses not validating your predetermination have been rejected.

I have a question though, in what world is anyone competent in any area of nursing with only 1 yr of experience? Are we just talking about competency in tasks? Or are we debating whether stringing together multiple task competencies and claiming it as a competent ICU nurse?

I suspect the poster truly believes that stringing together multiple task competencies makes one a competent ICU nurse. The poster would be wrong.

I think nurses can be too hard on each other and some really do act like crabs in a barrel while assuming they're being realistic. If you really want to go and you feel confident enough and an opportunity has opened up for you, then go do it! And I wish you the best. :) Really. Because why stay stuck in a position you're not content with?

I remember when I quit my first job everyone told me I'd have a hard time as a new grad getting hired. Then, I was hired 2 weeks before I even completed my NCLEX. Offered more money, better orientation/training. Had a good time. And then I left and got even more money, more flexibility, greater experience...

You have to know what's right for you and if it's meant for you, it'll happen. Really.

acim

48 Posts

I think nurses can be too hard on each other and some really do act like crabs in a barrel while assuming they're being realistic. If you really want to go and you feel confident enough and an opportunity has opened up for you, then go do it! And I wish you the best. :) Really. Because why stay stuck in a position you're not content with?

I remember when I quit my first job everyone told me I'd have a hard time as a new grad getting hired. Then, I was hired 2 weeks before I even completed my NCLEX. Offered more money, better orientation/training. Had a good time. And then I left and got even more money, more flexibility, greater experience...

You have to know what's right for you and if it's meant for you, it'll happen. Really.

Well said. I hope you don't get flamed for it. OP, live and learn and then go do great things. We were all allowed to learn, whether it be the easy way or the hard way. You got your advice and now you and only you get to choose. It is your given right.

All the best.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP

1 Article; 2,594 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Do you really know how hard it is to find a safe unit for a new nurse? "Safe," as in, there is enough staff (whether you work day or night), there are coworkers who are competent and willing to help you, the training is realistic for a new nurse (no random nonsense like getting multiple preceptors from the jump, or your training is being shortened b/c management is desperate for people), and managers are willing to work with you?

If your unit is a "safe" unit, then, why would you give up your position and risk going somewhere less pleasant?

Amen! My first job was at an adult med/surg unit and it was and still is very dangerous (I only work there PRN just to upkeep my adult skills). People are routinely thrown into the role of charge RN without any proper training, having seven patients (even as a charge RN) was not uncommon. I had many preceptors, some who would just sit at the nursing station laughing it up and texting while I took care of the patients unsupervised (so it really wasn't much of an orientation).

I will never forget when it was an almost full house with only four nurses and one tech (for 25 patients) and I was stranded sitting with one of my patients. I had to call the house supervisor because it was ridiculous. I had other patients to take care (that weren't even being monitored by anyone), yet I was sitting with a patient for two hours...how is that safe?

I have many other horror stories to tell, but point is this: I honestly feel like if I were treated better by being given a real orientation, a safe patient load and hadn't been thrown into charge RN as a new grad without any training, I probably would've stayed.

That being said, I gave them eight months before going PRN. And now am in the specialty I want, but the downside is that I have to stay at a job with crappy benefits for two years before finding another employer. Why? Because having two short-term jobs on a resume doesn't bode well to future employers.

Nori.Giselle

72 Posts

Specializes in TICU.
I think nurses can be too hard on each other and some really do act like crabs in a barrel while assuming they're being realistic. If you really want to go and you feel confident enough and an opportunity has opened up for you, then go do it! And I wish you the best. :) Really. Because why stay stuck in a position you're not content with?

I remember when I quit my first job everyone told me I'd have a hard time as a new grad getting hired. Then, I was hired 2 weeks before I even completed my NCLEX. Offered more money, better orientation/training. Had a good time. And then I left and got even more money, more flexibility, greater experience...

You have to know what's right for you and if it's meant for you, it'll happen. Really.

Thank you.

Nori.Giselle

72 Posts

Specializes in TICU.
Well said. I hope you don't get flamed for it. OP, live and learn and then go do great things. We were all allowed to learn, whether it be the easy way or the hard way. You got your advice and now you and only you get to choose. It is your given right.

All the best.

Thanks.

LovelyOverload

131 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

WOW! I can see why they say nursing eats their young. As the other poster mentioned you're crabs in a barrel. The OP asked what time she should APPLY and is being met with such negativity. And indirectly being called incompetent. All this from the "Seasoned nurses". So saddening. We should be uplifting one another. If you don't agree with her decision to work PRN there and FT in Peds then that's very much ok. Please just don't be so nasty about it. Its not a crime to get a new job. Rhetorical question. If she was able to get a job offer with then amount of time spent at her current job wouldn't that mean the length of time spent there is not a issue for the new employer? At that point what does it matter?

OP if you want to change jobs go ahead. You said that Peds is where you want to be so go for it. I'm assuming you won't be "job hopping" when you get a peds position. I Love Peds! Best decision I've ever made. I worked adults and it was not my cup of tea. Its purposeless to stay at a job 2-3 years just for show. Eventually you're end of miserable. It doesn't matter if you are in a good place or not.

Breathe guys!

Emergent, RN

4,243 Posts

Specializes in ER.

LovelyOverboard-

The OP didn't just start s thread sharing her plans to change specialties before even completing her first year as a new grad. She specifically asked for opinions and advice in her opening post.

Then, when posters responded, most encouraged the OP to stick it out longer before leaving. The OP then argued. She came across a bit arrogantly, tooting her horn regarding her competency. Hence the negative responses.

LovelyOverload

131 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.
LovelyOverboard-

The OP didn't just start s thread sharing her plans to change specialties before even completing her first year as a new grad. She specifically asked for opinions and advice in her opening post.

Then, when posters responded, most encouraged the OP to stick it out longer before leaving. The OP then argued. She came across a bit arrogantly, tooting her horn regarding her competency. Hence the negative responses.

I just don't see a reason to get so bothered. Lol Its just the internet! I'd rather encourage my fellow nurses. But hey that just me and my 2 cents. Happy Thanksgiving y'all! :)

jobellestarr

352 Posts

Ok, I am an old seasoned nurse and I say do whatever the hell you want. If you feel you have a passion for something, go for it. Life is short! We should be grateful for nurses that feel passionate about a specific area. Best of luck to you.

LovelyOverboard-

The OP didn't just start s thread sharing her plans to change specialties before even completing her first year as a new grad. She specifically asked for opinions and advice in her opening post.

Then, when posters responded, most encouraged the OP to stick it out longer before leaving. The OP then argued. She came across a bit arrogantly, tooting her horn regarding her competency. Hence the negative responses.

I can understand why someone would become defensive given the responses the OP has gotten. Years of experience or not, rude is rude and I think the responses she's gotten on this thread have been rude. Very. Attacking her character and her own feelings of self confidence/competence. If she says she feels confident then who are we to suddenly tell her she's not? She said in her original post that she wanted to make a switch and someone we veered off deciding whether or not she was competent enough in her current specialty which she is thinking of transitioning from. Why is that our concern? The point is she wants to do something else so instead of trying to beat her down in the form of acting realistic and practical(aka crabbish/cliquey/mean girlish), encourage. Inspire. What is so wrong with her transitioning? She even offered to stay prn because she likes her current specialty just isn't her main desire. Big whoop!

Again, OP, I think if you get the chance to go, take it.

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I can understand why someone would become defensive given the responses the OP has gotten. Years of experience or not, rude is rude and I think the responses she's gotten on this thread have been rude. Very. Attacking her character and her own feelings of self confidence/competence. If she says she feels confident then who are we to suddenly tell her she's not? She said in her original post that she wanted to make a switch and someone we veered off deciding whether or not she was competent enough in her current specialty which she is thinking of transitioning from. Why is that our concern? The point is she wants to do something else so instead of trying to beat her down in the form of acting realistic and practical(aka crabbish/cliquey/mean girlish), encourage. Inspire. What is so wrong with her transitioning? She even offered to stay prn because she likes her current specialty just isn't her main desire. Big whoop!

Again, OP, I think if you get the chance to go, take it.

If you're referring to me, I questioned whether "completing the competencies" made one competent as a nurse. My contention is that it does not; it just gives a person a starting place in caring for the patient with a XXXXX device. Being competent comes later, usually after about two years of experience. After a single year of practice, I doubt if the OP -- or anyone else is competent.

Transferring or not transferring is, of course, up to the original poster. But she DID ask for our advice and I don't think that giving her real advice is out of line.

+ Add a Comment