Should I Stay or Should I Go?

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Specializes in Med Surg/Orthopedic Med Surg.

Hello everyone,

I am a nursing assistant of 5 years at the same hospital the whole time. It has been my only patient care job. I am now one year away from being a RN and I am a Cleveland Clinic employee, so I know that I will obviously stay within the enterprise due to its reputation and career possibilities after graduation, but I am writing this topic asking other professionals his or her opinions about working as a new RN at the main campus. I work at one of the regional hospitals (will not specify) and while it is great because it is a small, everyone knows everyone place to work, and my manager is AMAZING! I work well with almost every staff member due to my time spent there. It is only ten minutes from my house and there is no parking garage or fees. However, I have some very serious concerns about staying there as a RN.

Working at a regional hospital does have some of those pros, but also has many cons. One of the biggest ones is the resources available, specifically at night shift. STAFF! WE ARE ALWAYS UNDERSTAFFED ESPCIALLY AT NIGHT. It sometimes is near dangerous assignments like 2 nurses only no aide for 16 patients. Sometimes I see the nurses struggle to contact doctors promptly for admission orders or status updates. From 11 pm to 7 am there is almost never a nursing assistant. I work well with the nurses as an aide, but I see a lot of cattiness within the RNs (That I am guessing is anywhere you go.)

The biggest thing is that as a new grad, how much will I develop at a small regional hospital compared to a main campus location? This is a big concern of mine. I am looking to possibly go for my MSN so I do intend on making a successful career in the industry, and not just in it for a paycheck. I will have to commute downtown and pay for parking and park in a garage and then shuttle into my unit and deal with traffic. These are things I do not consider that heavy of a burden as I did it during my nursing assistant training for a month upon hiring.

Any advice on my situation would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for anyone would made it to the end of the topic.

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Nothing you choose now will be permanent, or forever. I say stay at your regional hospital as a new grad nurse. You will have a familiar work site to hone your nursing skills.

Work the magical number of one year ?. (Joking, there is no magic number how long you have to stay at any job.) After you get comfortable where you're working you should have many options for other areas, hospitals, etc., to choose from.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Orthopedic Med Surg.

That’s good advice. However, our company requires two years in one position before bidding out. Nothing is permanent though. Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with looking and finding out what is "normal" for your area and whether your hospital is meeting market standards. Sadly, short staffing, especially at night, is the norm more than the exception. Congratulations on almost being done and good luck as you weigh this out.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

My main advice to you is probably to not mention your workplace by name...the internet, even these forums, aren't as annonymous as you would think.

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