For some, there's always a "reason" to look for a new job: your co-workers are mean, your schedule sucks, you weren't made to work night shift or a thousand other excuses. There is no perfect job, and the grass really isn't always greener. In fact, it almost never is. The secret to loving your job isn't getting the perfect job . . . it's loving the job that you have
"The nurses here are all mean to me -- it's a hostile work environment."
Actual excuse for leaving her fourth job in 12 months -- and remarkably similar to her reasons for leaving the other three jobs.
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"They're all bullies and pick on me for no reason!"
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"Crowds of mean people are following me all around!"
While I won't deny that bullies exist, there aren't any more bullies in nursing than there are in the general population. If you're having that much trouble with bullies, it's time to do some serious self examination. Chances are REAL good that it isn't THEM, it's YOU.
If you're having problems getting along with others, and those problems follow you from job to job, it's time to take a step back and figure out what it is that you're doing to irritate every co-worker you encounter. It took me too long to figure out that the co-workers in my second job really didn't want to hear how we did things in my first job. It took one particularly straightforward LPN asking me "IF it was so wonderful there, why did you leave?" to make me stop and think about what I was doing -- after I cried for awhile and blamed my coworkers for making my life miserable. After I figured things out, my coworkers were suddenly much nicer. It wasn't them, it was me.
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"It's a horrible work environment! I never get any praise, all they do is tell me what I'm doing wrong!"
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"I don't know what they want from me! I show up every day!"
(Real complaints from real new grads, neither of whom is still employed as a nurse. One of them is asking "do you want fries with that?" and the other is trying to convince her landlords that since they gave birth to her, she shouldn't have to pay rent.)
Not all of today's new grads by a long shot, but many of them, have been raised in the land of "everyone gets a trophy for just showing up" and parents who praised every move they made. I've heard that's a generational thing. Whether it is or isn't a generational thing, and perhaps it's a sweeping generalization, part of growing up is to realize that you aren't going to get praised for every soft, formed bowel movement or perfect attendance record. In the work world, you WILL hear about it when you screw up. Of course you will -- screwing up can kill someone, and even if you squeak by without killing someone THIS time, you may not be so lucky NEXT time. You may hear about it if you have a terrific idea that saves lives or money. On the other hand, sometimes your boss takes credit for the idea. You won't hear about it if you just do your job -- that's what they hired you for, and that's what they expect you to do. Learn to take pride in doing your job well, with or without praise from outside parties.
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"I'm miserable on nights -- I'm going to find a job that's straight days."
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"Some people just can't adjust to nights, and after a week, I know I'm one of them!"
The truth of the matter is that most of us are miserable on nights until we learn how to do them successfully -- which can take months. We can't sleep when we need to, can't stay awake when we have to and are nauseated when we're not ravenously hungry. We think slower, we move slower and we hate life sometimes. That's a normal part of night shift, and feeling that way doesn't make you special. It makes you normal. I know a lot of nurses who have shot themselves in the foot by changing jobs over and over in pursuit of day shift. They wind up in a specialty they don't like or a hospital with poor benefits and then they want to change jobs again.
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"My schedule sucks! This job is killing my social life!"
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"I can't work CHRISTMAS! I have small kids/lonely parents/a solo every year in the church choir!"
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"I don't know why the OLD nurses get such a good schedule and mine sucks!"
Chances are, the old nurse has a better schedule than you because she's been there for ten years and has seniority. Or maybe she's not constantly complaining about her schedule because she's accustomed to it and has made it work for her. One of the beauties of our profession is the flexible scheduling. If you absolutely cannot stand the thought of being at work while everyone else is at the barbecue, perhaps you shouldn't be looking for work in a hospital. If you are working or looking for work in a hospital because only some acute care experience will further your career goals, suck it up and live with the schedule for the two years it will take you to become competent in your job. There's a lot to be said for a "sucky schedule." I personally love going to the movies with my nurse friends on a Tuesday afternoon when no one else is there and the price of a ticket is only $6. Having three days off during the week is prime time to take the boat to that wonderful anchorage all our dock mates are raving about -- and we're the only boat there! Even the most crowded nation and state parks have a free camp site or two, and in the winter the ski lines are minimal. If you're married and have kids you can minimize child care costs by working when your husband is home.
Here's the truth:
Most people are exactly as happy as they make up their minds to be. You cannot choose what happens to you, but you can choose how to react to it.
Happiness comes not from getting whatever you want, but from wanting whatever you have.
And a final piece of wisdom -- wherever you go, you take yourself with you.
For the students and young nurses who are tired of hearing about "getting a trophy for just showing up"...no, it's not your fault.
You can't help what you've been taught, but perhaps you are now beginning to see WHY such training, though well-intended, was a big mistake. So I apologize for what may sound like criticism from some of us who are older.
The one who posted the following was only half-way right.
"... there's no acknowledgement that the generation that TAUGHT that mentality are the ones currently in upper management/positions of seniority. It didn't just appear out of the ether -- it was taught and reinforced by society."
Reinforced by society? NO. When you were a child, maybe. But not when you are an adult employee with other people depending on you. Not when the QUALITY of what you do is more valued than any of your good intentions. Your paycheck is your "trophy" and you must earn it by a lot more than just "showing up".
Many older people today grew up with little self-esteem. They thought they could remedy this for their children by providing lots of rewards and frequent reminders about how "special" they were (something they usually received little of in their childhood.) What they got wrong is that this is NOT how you build self-esteem!
Self-esteem comes from attempting DIFFICULT things and persevering until you do them WELL.
When this is the source of your of self esteem, you do not need a lot of praise.
While you are in the process of overcoming some difficulties, however, you may feel quite unappreciated. Just keep truckin'. Your time will come. That's the way real life is and always has been! Some people have never been prepared for this reality.
For the students and young nurses who are tired of hearing about "getting a trophy for just showing up"...no, it's not your fault.
You can't help what you've been taught, but perhaps you are now beginning to see WHY such training, though well-intended, was a big mistake. So I apologize for what may sound like criticism from some of us who are older.
The one who posted the following was only half-way right.
"... there's no acknowledgement that the generation that TAUGHT that mentality are the ones currently in upper management/positions of seniority. It didn't just appear out of the ether -- it was taught and reinforced by society."
Reinforced by society? NO. When you were a child, maybe. But not when you are an adult employee with other people depending on you. Not when the QUALITY of what you do is more valued than any of your good intentions. Your paycheck is your "trophy" and you must earn it by a lot more than just "showing up".
Many older people today grew up with little self-esteem. They thought they could remedy this for their children by providing lots of rewards and frequent reminders about how "special" they were (something they usually received little of in their childhood.) What they got wrong is that this is NOT how you build self-esteem!
Self-esteem comes from attempting DIFFICULT things and persevering until you do them WELL.
When this is the source of your of self esteem, you do not need a lot of praise.
While you are in the process of overcoming some difficulties, however, you may feel quite unappreciated. Just keep truckin'. Your time will come. That's the way real life is and always has been! Some people have never been prepared for this reality.
Well said!!!
From one of the younger generation that was raised like the older generation.
The grass is always greener. I've been a nurse for 1.5 years. All of that time in the ER. I love my coworkers. They call me out when I deserve it. Give me praise when I need it. We are a team and a family. When my grandpa died recently, I was only allowed one day off. They swung it so I could have three. I will say that I prefer night shift. I don't love the hours but the teamwork is so much better. The staffing sucks and always will but I love my people and that makes all the difference.
i will also add that as a new nurse, my preceptor was a JERK. He was not very patient and was quick to point out my flaws. Now? He shows me off to his nursing students saying "See? This is what the tough love gets you, a good nurse." I tell them he likes to claim the glory for nurses that are naturally good at what they do
I'm a little over the clichés about the new generation being lazy/demanding/etc. EVERY generation says that about the next generation.
To the topic. It's true some nurses expect too much or don't give their job a chance. Their loss. More often than not it's just not a good fit and it's never going to work or the employer treats their employees like dogs. I've quit places like that and it's always been the right choice. I have never quit without having a way to pay my bills though. That is always a terrible idea.
I haven't read all the replies so someone probably already said it, but the best reason to jump after your 1st year as a nurse is the bump in pay. Usually the biggest pay bump you'll get.
I think it is fairly normal for new nurses to job hop a few times. The first year of nursing is the hardest, I think. You actually don't know what you're getting into, most times. You graduate feeling you know a lot, then come smack dab, face to face, with lots of things you don't know. Knowing the right answer for the exam is not always the same as knowing what to do in a given situation.
Some things can hardly be taught in school, you have to discover them by experience. So I can't really blame a nurse for not being too happy with that first job. My personal opinion is, one should stay at least a year learning as much as possible about nursing and about yourself as a nurse.
You may find yourself later in a situation where you are treated badly, perhaps bullied, but try to stay with the job awhile because sometimes things change. The people who cause you trouble move on, the nursing management may change, hospitals sometimes change management or are bought out by a different organization. Perhaps even you or your co-workers can bring about some changes. So, unless you are too distraught to function, bite the bullet and call it a learning experience. Keep your eyes open for something else.
If you stay for too short a time, it becomes difficult to explain, at your next job interview, why you left. And the worst thing you can do is to complain to a potential new boss, about your last job (unless serious legal or ethical matters are involved).
It may take a job or two to find out where you can fit in. No job is perfect. Eventually you will probably find a place where you feel you are making a contribution, are part of a team. Be prepared to stay there, if by any means, you can.
Specializes in L&D, CCU, ICU, PCU, RICU, PCICU, & LTC..
When I started nursing in 1972 I worked a split shift of 5 nights and 5 evenings in a 2 week pay period. I thought it was great as it gave me the best of both worlds and I have since wondered why more places don't offer this to help others to work the off-shifts more easily. Not totally on-topic, but still a valid observation.
When I started nursing in 1972 I worked a split shift of 5 nights and 5 evenings in a 2 week pay period. I thought it was great as it gave me the best of both worlds and I have since wondered why more places don't offer this to help others to work the off-shifts more easily. Not totally on-topic, but still a valid observation.
I agree about that. Managers who are good at scheduling are good at retention. That includes not sticking it to new nurses, or those lower in seniority.
My last hospital was a small, critical access one. Aside from growing weary of some of the small hospital cliqueyness, and feeling claustrophobic from the constant drama there (menopause exacerbated , I think), the #1 reason I left was because of getting screwed over in the schedule by a series of interim managers, and also by co-workers with seniority.
I went to Per Diem at a larger hospital, got plenty of shifts and could make my own schedule. They liked me so when I wanted to try ER I got hired to a part time position and continued to pick up extra shifts. I am a widow and was raising kids alone, no family support. Now my youngest is graduating so I'm full time. My manager is excellent. She's organized, and makes every effort to make a fair schedule. She considers people and their lives, she's recruited lots of Per Diems so we can get request offs and vacations.
Scheduling rules the day for me. If that isn't handled well it contributes to job hopping, for sure!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
When I started nursing in 1972 I worked a split shift of 5 nights and 5 evenings in a 2 week pay period. I thought it was great as it gave me the best of both worlds and I have since wondered why more places don't offer this to help others to work the off-shifts more easily. Not totally on-topic, but still a valid observation.
I used to work nights and evenings, too. The reason it isn't done as much anymore is that most folks have gone to 12 hour shifts. Much as I enjoyed my night/evening rotation, I like 12 hour shifts more!
Specializes in L&D, CCU, ICU, PCU, RICU, PCICU, & LTC..
I used to work nights and evenings, too. The reason it isn't done as much anymore is that most folks have gone to 12 hour shifts. Much as I enjoyed my night/evening rotation, I like 12 hour shifts more!
Have you ever worked an 11-11 or 3-3 schedule? Again, not the usual, but loved by most who have had the opportunity once they got over the "WHAT?!?" factor. lol Splits the work and hours much more fairly.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Have you ever worked an 11-11 or 3-3 schedule? Again, not the usual, but loved by most who have had the opportunity once they got over the "WHAT?!?" factor. lol Splits the work and hours much more fairly.
DosmoRN
61 Posts
For the students and young nurses who are tired of hearing about "getting a trophy for just showing up"...no, it's not your fault.
You can't help what you've been taught, but perhaps you are now beginning to see WHY such training, though well-intended, was a big mistake. So I apologize for what may sound like criticism from some of us who are older.
The one who posted the following was only half-way right.
"... there's no acknowledgement that the generation that TAUGHT that mentality are the ones currently in upper management/positions of seniority. It didn't just appear out of the ether -- it was taught and reinforced by society."
Reinforced by society? NO. When you were a child, maybe. But not when you are an adult employee with other people depending on you. Not when the QUALITY of what you do is more valued than any of your good intentions. Your paycheck is your "trophy" and you must earn it by a lot more than just "showing up".
Many older people today grew up with little self-esteem. They thought they could remedy this for their children by providing lots of rewards and frequent reminders about how "special" they were (something they usually received little of in their childhood.) What they got wrong is that this is NOT how you build self-esteem!
Self-esteem comes from attempting DIFFICULT things and persevering until you do them WELL.
When this is the source of your of self esteem, you do not need a lot of praise.
While you are in the process of overcoming some difficulties, however, you may feel quite unappreciated. Just keep truckin'. Your time will come. That's the way real life is and always has been! Some people have never been prepared for this reality.