Resigning for another job. Advice please.

[nccna]

Started in community hospital Med/Surg department as a new grad. RN, almost a month and a half into the job. Got a call from my dream job to start there (I didn't think I had a chance really) I have no idea how to break the news to my manager or if I even should. My current job is nice, my co workers are getting to know me a little better and practice is getting easier each day. Patients are giving me positive feedback as well and I got my first thank you letter from a patient as a RN which felt nice. I tried to read other topics here about it, but the other users did not have a job lined up like me. I really want to relocate to start my dream position as the staff and management seem very supportive.

[ScientistSalarian]

Do you have an ironclad, actual job offer from Dream Job? Normally it doesn't look great to leave a position so soon, but if you have a solid offer it seems fair to weigh that against the risk of leaving prematurely and potentially getting yourself blacklisted from your current hospital.

I would just caution you to be sure that the new job is everything that you're imagining it's going to be. Don't let the ~dream job~ halo keep you from really scrutinizing the position. If the new gig doesn't work out - unexpected workload, negative work environment, decrease in pay or benefits, turns out you don't like the place you relocated to, whatever - it's going to be pretty tough to land a third job with two short-term ones on your resume. But hey if you have a solid offer, have done your homework and really vetted the place, are sure that it's an actual step up from where you are now and are willing to accept the risk then heck, go for it.

Best of luck, this seems like a good dilemma to have :)

[nccna]

I have not accepted at the new place yet. They are going to let me shadow a couple of days there (unpaid of course) to let me get a feel for the crew and workflow. Benefits will stay the same, pay will stay the same which I'm not complaining about as I feel like I'm paid appropriately. The new position is in a larger teaching hospital ICU. Any other tips on being cautious? I'd have to relocate far away for this position. I don't want to relocate if I'm not a good fit with the doctor and crew. I read on here that teaching hospitals are vastly different from community. It seems like you get to see a lot of cool stuff, but you have no idea what is actually happening with the patient. (How is that even possible? Those are things I have read). I wont complain about the IV teams though if I feel like I'm getting rusty I'll head to ER or OR for some practice.

[DTWriter]

So, the new position is ICU?

Critical care areas are risky for new nurses (

1) An internal candidate

Someone who is already familiar with the layout of the hospital, the politics, the work environment, etc.

2) Someone who did clinical on the critical care unit in question

Again, someone who is already familiar with the layout of the hospital, the politics, the work environment, etc.

3) Someone who happens to look like or behave like the majority of the staff members

From skin tone, religion, hobbies, height, hair color, willingness to gossip, etc. I kid you not on this.

______

Let me ask you something. Did the ICU staff say something along the lines of wanting people who can "hit the ground running" once they are on the unit? If so, take that as cue that they are not willing to train you on the basics (med-surg).

Note that even if the shadow days go well, the staff's demeanor may change once you become a member of their staff.

[JVLims]

IMHO you are in a good place for someone new to practice. ICUs in teaching hospitals are wonderful places to work (and I know, having worked at a Level 1 trauma center ICU) but can be an overwhelming place to work while you are getting your feet wet. I can't count the posts on this forum by new nurses who sailed into a first job in critical care only to regret it later. You need time and space to not only gain clinical knowledge and experience, but organizational and interpersonal skills as well. The nature of ICU nursing, with its limited but intense patient caseload will be easier to navigate after you have obtained valuable experience. Your current place of employment sounds like a welcoming and comfortable place for you to hone your skills. Many new nurses would give anything to have a first experience like yours. I say stay put. If the other hospital wants you now, they will want the more experienced you later.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with JVLims. The big ICU is very risky, and if it doesn't work out, you will be in real trouble trying to get a 3rd new-grad job. Take the one you have, make the most of it and then move on after you have gotten some real experience.