Taking job you know you're going to quit soon

[Arsinoe]

I have recently relocated and am searching for a job. I have a possible opportunity for an office job but the position won't be available for probably 3 months. I was offered a job at a local hospital and do need to work in the meantime. I worry about putting all my eggs in one basket and holding out for this opportunity in case it doesn't work out. Would you take a job knowing there is a possibility you would be quitting 2-3 months later for something better?

[VANurse2010]

I would do it. You have to eat and you don't owe them anything. They'd cut *you* loose in a heartbeat if it were convenient for them.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would probably do it -- but I would have to convince myself that I would actually stay in the 1st job if I liked it. Even though I know they would "cut me loose in a minute," I still would have trouble lying to people about my intentions and taking their educational resources unless I could honestly say that I was considering the job as a long-term possibility. The fact that some people "aren't nice" is not enough reason for me to be "not nice."

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Be careful. Nursing communities are well-connected, whether in a big city or small. Word travels fast and bad reputations travel even faster.

[caliotter3]

Employment is employment and employment is survival. I would take the job with the goal of looking for a way to work into a compromise between the two jobs when the time presents itself, that is, if the time presents itself.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I once took a job with awareness that I wouldn't stick around. It was all about maintaining my solvency. I was a new grad in a new state who had not worked in more than a year, so I needed the income. If I had not taken the job, my savings account on which I had been living would have been depleted.

The workplace was a poorly-managed LTC facility. They hired me on the spot, and as a new grad with zero experience, I only received one 8-hour shift of orientation and no preceptorship, so it isn't as if they spent a massive amount of funds on the onboarding process to train me, provide educational opportunities or develop my procedural skill set.

The workplace provided no benefits to any of their employees such as health insurance, dental plan, 401k, pension, or short/long term disability coverage. I worked the 3:00pm to 11:00pm schedule with a bizarre scheduling rotation that resulted in only one weekend off per month. The facility was situated in a different city located approximately 30 miles from my residence.

I lasted six weeks before eventually securing employment a few miles from my home with a more attractive schedule, pay rate, and fringe benefit package.

I did what I had to do, as a means to an end, until something better came along. Those who are highly ethical might criticize my actions by insisting that I inflicted a hardship on the LTC facility's administration and instilled more inconsistency in the residents' lives by quitting after six weeks. Others might say I'm selfish for having done this.

However, I am selfish to a certain degree. I live my life according to the unwritten social contract as stated below:

Each individual in a society has an underlying obligation, to the best of his ability, and before all else, to take care of his own basic needs, both immediate and for the foreseeable future, before attending to the needs of others (Bell, 2008).

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

A gal's gotta do, what a gal's gotta do. Relocation is a difficult endeavor.

I would most certainly take that job.

Learn and grow from your hospital position. You may end up liking it.

If the office position opens up, weigh the pros and cons, before leaving.

You don't owe the hospital anything. Just play it right if you move on.

[toomuchbaloney]

Without question I would take the job that is offered and available right now. If they don't want you to leave when another job opens somewhere else maybe they will make a better offer.

In the absence of that, many nursing employers have made it very obvious that we are replaceable, so let them replace you.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

Sometimes you can smooth over a temporary job by offering to work PRN once you start the new job. I know a few nurses who work 2-3 different facilities as they are needed seasonally. It's a way to keep your foot in several doors at the same time.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Be careful. Nursing communities are well-connected, whether in a big city or small. Word travels fast and bad reputations travel even faster.

This. You ***** them over, don't be surprised if down the line it doesn't come back to bite you. Not to mention, what if down the line you decided you wanted to work there again?

I have a problem with lying, so it wouldn't be an option for me. Each one has to do what his/her conscience permits.

[ponymom]

I took a job like this once, but I in the interview I let them know I was looking for something that fit different criteria.

I was honest and said that the main reason I was interested in working for them was the pay, and that I needed a job right away. I didn't say "to build my career" or "because you have a good reputation", or any of that talk.

I was suprised when they actually called me and offered me a job. I worked there for several months and left on my own and on good terms. I still keep in touch with the facility and some of the staff. It can work.

[VANurse2010]

This. You ***** them over, don't be surprised if down the line it doesn't come back to bite you. Not to mention, what if down the line you decided you wanted to work there again?

I have a problem with lying, so it wouldn't be an option for me. Each one has to do what his/her conscience permits.

You have a problem with lying; others have a problem with financial instability and not being able to pay their way. Different strokes.