SHould I leave my r job after just 4 month?

Published

Hello,

I am a new gard nurse and I am currently working in a hospital for 4 months. I work in a med-surge floor that I'm not too enthused about. My reason for wanting to leave my job however is several things: one, I've been in a long distance relationship for one and a half years. while I was in nursing school my bf got moved to Minnesota, I did not move with him however due to my focus in school. When I was finishing my school we were hopeful he gets moved to Arizona because where he lived in Minnesota there was no RN positions. once I got this job at med-surge floor he got moved to Arizona. I was uncomfortable to move with my bf however right away because i needed to save money. Also I am very interested to work as a psychiatric nurse, and not as a med-surge nurse. The reason I did start as a med-surge nurse was for experience. I do have a prn position in a psychiatric facility but unfortunately they are slowly closing their facility due to financial issues, therefore I am never called. And I am very much planning on getting my DNP in psych. Lastly my reason for wanting to move is because my current license will expire in June. Instead of renewing my TX license I believe it would be wise to just apply for Arizona license. I was thinking of sticking it out for a year just for sake of experience and reputation, but because of all these reasons I am unsure if it will be just smarter to move already now that I have enough money saved. This way I can be way happier. I am just scared this will look bad on my resume and because I have such little experience I won't find a job in a psych facility. Please help me!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Arizona is hiring and is in the compact states so you can keep your Texas license and use it in Arizona. There are plenty of jobs in Arizona

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Arizona is hiring and is in the compact states so you can keep your Texas license and use it in Arizona. There are plenty of jobs in Arizona

No, you can't. If you relocate to AZ, and change your residency, you must obtain an AZ nursing license. You would be able to work for either 30 or 90 days (varies state to state) on your TX license. Once you are licensed in AZ (with multi state privileges), your TX license will be inactivated by the TX BON.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, that is sad. I get offers for travel jobs daily. They said I could work on my Tx license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh, that is sad. I get offers for travel jobs daily. They said I could work on my Tx license.

You can, as long as you maintain residency in TX. However, this is not the situation described in the OP, as she is planning on moving to AZ, which would result in a change of residency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If it were me, I think I'd apply left and right to nursing jobs out there and schedule myself for interviews, so that I could go out to visit him a few times first before moving and also check out jobs. Set up some interviews to do while out there. You can do the interviews, still employed at your current job, and when asked you can answer there why you want to leave question with a simple "I'm planning to rellocate for family".

When you find what you want to AZ, and if you find you still want to take the next step with him, accept the new job and log your notice. Then work on arranging everything so you can move once youve worked out your notice.

That'd be the most logical and responsible plan for me personally, albeit it may take more time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But you all don't think that if i do leave and find a job, it won't look bad on my resume? or create a bad name for me where I work currently?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is a big difference in explaining you left a job after 4 months for another job in the same area than leaving due to a move out of state. I would say when asked that it was sooner than intended but you wanted to be with your long time boyfriend after the long distance relationship became unnecessary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
But you all don't think that if i do leave and find a job, it won't look bad on my resume? or create a bad name for me where I work currently?

If you've had a good employment there and you are forthright with your employer, no, I don't think you'll look bad. If it truly worries you, once you begin interviewing , you could speak with your superior in private. I feel that's a good move, so they aren't caught totally unawares when a reference check calls. Keep communication open. You have legitimate, non-spiteful reasons for leaving. You want to move, and you want to seek opportunities more related to the specialty you're passionate about.

Explain that, speak to him or her with a level-headed and straightforward manner. Do not apologize or squirm for following your dream. Convey that it's a bittersweet choice for you: although you're sad to leave them, you're excited to follow your dream. Offer working out a notice , that way, you're showing consideration for their staffing and allowing them adequate time to replace you.

In my opinion, it's an unspoken requirement of courtesy to work out an adequate notice, at minimum two weeks, assuming your time at your current position has been positive and you're not leaving under duresss. It's an act of respect and appreciation for their act of hiring you and affording you the experience you've gained. It's not at all that uncommon or negative to pursue other jobs after four months. Good floor nurse coworkers and nurse managers should acknowledge and support your desire to further your career, and pursue your passion. Personally, I feel nurses should support one another's professional growth and development. You're not "leaving them", you're taking the steps to begin your next chapter in nursing. That's perfectly normal.

I left my first job at 6 mos. I did so with grace and respect, and I made sure to be frank with them as to my intent to find both a position closer to home and one that was in an acute surgical setting. That was my goal, and where i wanted to go within nursing. They were sad to see me go, but they wished me well. I still do PRN there. Remind yourself that many legitimate, objective reasons are in your favor for that dreaded "why are you leaving your current position?" question.

You're fine, I wouldn't internalize this negatively nor would I feel guilty. It's good to grow. Happy job-hunting :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do what makes you happy, theres no point being in a job thats going to put pressure on your relationship, pressure on you, makes you unhappy, burns you out.. Plus theres always jobs out there!! Live in the moment, make that big move :D You Only Live Once #No Regrets, Your a Long time Dead

Megan X

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I agree that it seems like it would make more sense for you to move to AZ. And I also agree that visiting and interviewing out there to get a sense of the area, hospitals, etc is a really good idea.

However, I will also put in my 2 cents that the grass isn't always greener so you should really be aware of what you are getting into when you go out there. Will you be able to stay out there (financially and emotionally) if your relationship doesn't last? I don't think that employers will necessarily look down on you for leaving your first job after 4 months, but try to stay in your 2nd for at least a year. Otherwise it may look like job-hopping and that makes employers uneasy and, often, rightly so. I was at my first position for 9 months and then left for what I thought would be my dream job. It only lasted for 2 months. I was absolutely miserable and left for a variety of reasons. It was the right decision, then and in retrospect, but then I was stuck in a city I didn't know with a shaky support system.

I know you will make friends once you move and I'm sure your relationship will probably be fine, but it's something to think about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
There is a big difference in explaining you left a job after 4 months for another job in the same area than leaving due to a move out of state. I would say when asked that it was sooner than intended but you wanted to be with your long time boyfriend after the long distance relationship became unnecessary.

Or leave the boyfriend out of it and say you moved for family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion