I just wanted some advice from some seasoned nurses. . .
I am a new grad and I have been working in a busy ER for the past 5 months. I really like it but the hospital is an hour away from my house and the commute is really getting to me. I have a 3 year old son and on the days I work I don't see him at all. I miss my little dude!
My sister-in-law works for our local health department and they have an opening. I was thinking about applying.
I was wondering if leaving my first position so soon would eventually hurt my career later on? I feel guity even thinking about leaving, especially since the hospital was so kind in giving me my first job when new grad positions were Very hard to come by.
Curious to hear what the OP thinks about the comments. I am leaning towards sticking it out too and making the year. I agree with GM2RN. The OP didn't mention a toxic or dangerous work enviroment. I realize the OP misses her son but she took to job knowing about the long commute. I say stay and get your years experience. Leaving 5 months in may affect future jobs-espeically if the other job doesn't work out.
You're gonna do what you're gonna do, but understand that new grads leaving jobs after only a few months affect other new grads trying to get that first job.
Thank you. Took the words right out of my mouth. I mean the OP can do whatever he/she wants but this is another thing new grads have to battle (in addition to a large pool of experienced nurses, lack of openings, other new grads themselves). But then again, if the OP leaves, maybe a loyal, new new-grad will take his/her place and really impress the hospital and make the hospital want to hire more new grads. PS Karma is a you know what. Hopefully, OP, you don't apply for your dream job later on and get seen by an employer as a disloyal job hopper.
Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.
I will post one last thought. I do believe you should complete 1 year for YOURSELF. You may need the one year acute experience as that seems to be the magic number for getting employment in a hospital Also, do not burn bridges. Now, I didn't burn bridges - I just put off going back to school and am regretting it everyday. Below is a scenario that happened to me, many others and could happen to anyone:
2 years ago I am working, my husband is working and I am also collecting child support for my child from a previous marriage. Income is very good. Suddenly my child grows up and- no more child support. Husband becomes ill and is unable to work. Is now on disability. SO, now we are living on my income and his disabiltiy. Our income went from about 6 thousand a month to about 3 thousand a month. Moral of the story is to do what needs to be done in order to prepare for unexpected "bumps" in the road in the future. Gain the 1 year experience to have in your back pocket should you need it. You never know what could happen. Do your best to prepare for the unexpected. What would happen if you go ahead and quit this ED job, and in a few months the job you left the ED for makes cuts and suddenly you are out of that job. Now, you are trying to land another job but guess what? they all want at least 1 year acute experience and you don't have it. Not only that, but you are no longer a new grad, but rather a nurse with less than 1 year experience. Unless you have a significant other that makes a boat load of money you are going to be in a very bad position and your son will also pay the price because emotionally/mentally you are not yourself because of the stress. You will kick your self in the *ss for not staying at the ER job for a year. I have learned the hard way to always "try" to prepare as much as I can for the unexpected.
Butterfly gives you a very plausible scenario. You would be doing yourself a great disservice by not getting that minimum one year experience while you have a good hospital job to get that one year at.
I am planning on staying in my ER position for at least a year. I just signed up for some on-line classes to work toward my BSN. I enjoy my work (most of the time) and I really do need my hospital experience before moving on.
Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.
GOOD FOR YOU! You really are making the best decision. I wish you all the luck the world.. Your little man is very lucky to have you. Many moons ago I used to work in a day care and was shocked at the parents who would drop their child off the minute we opened and didn't return until the minute we closed, and many times even later. It was so sad. I know you miss the extra time, but take advantage of the time you do have. Make it quality-not quantity. Soon enough that drive will be just a memory.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
greetings,
i just wanted some advice from some seasoned nurses. . .
i am a new grad and i have been working in a busy er for the past 5 months. i really like it but the hospital is an hour away from my house and the commute is really getting to me. i have a 3 year old son and on the days i work i don't see him at all. i miss my little dude!
my sister-in-law works for our local health department and they have an opening. i was thinking about applying.
i was wondering if leaving my first position so soon would eventually hurt my career later on? i feel guity even thinking about leaving, especially since the hospital was so kind in giving me my first job when new grad positions were very hard to come by.
any input would be greatly appreciated.
have your circumstances changed since you took the job? did the hiring manager forget to tell you about the 12 hour shifts when you took the job? has your child's bedtime changed?
you knew the hours and the commute time when you took the job. presumably you wanted the job anyway. the hospital spent thousands of dollars training you and you're barely off orientation yet you want to quit your job because the "commute is getting to me and i miss my little dude." guess what. that's life. that's work. the hospital and your manager took a chance on you and hired a new grad knowing (as you knew) that you were going to be on orientation for several months and cost them thousands of dollars before they got any benefit from your services. now, instead of being grateful for the chance and for the training, you want to leave because the commute is a drag. why should anyone else take a chance on you?
you say nothing about it being a dangerous environment with poor staffing, unsupportive co-workers or your hours being cut because census is low. you actually say you like it. so stick it out. you made a deal with your manager and she kept up her end of it; she trained you. you haven't fulfilled your end of the bargain. suck it up and stick it out.
have your circumstances changed since you took the job? did the hiring manager forget to tell you about the 12 hour shifts when you took the job? has your child's bedtime changed?
you knew the hours and the commute time when you took the job. presumably you wanted the job anyway. the hospital spent thousands of dollars training you and you're barely off orientation yet you want to quit your job because the "commute is getting to me and i miss my little dude." guess what. that's life. that's work. the hospital and your manager took a chance on you and hired a new grad knowing (as you knew) that you were going to be on orientation for several months and cost them thousands of dollars before they got any benefit from your services. now, instead of being grateful for the chance and for the training, you want to leave because the commute is a drag. why should anyone else take a chance on you?
you say nothing about it being a dangerous environment with poor staffing, unsupportive co-workers or your hours being cut because census is low. you actually say you like it. so stick it out. you made a deal with your manager and she kept up her end of it; she trained you. you haven't fulfilled your end of the bargain. suck it up and stick it out.
You really are making the best decision. I wish you all the luck the world.. Your little man is very lucky to have you. Many moons ago I used to work in a day care and was shocked at the parents who would drop their child off the minute we opened and didn't return until the minute we closed, and many times even later. It was so sad. I know you miss the extra time, but take advantage of the time you do have. Make it quality-not quantity. Soon enough that drive will be just a memory. 
General E. Speaking, RN, RN
1 Article; 1,337 Posts
Curious to hear what the OP thinks about the comments. I am leaning towards sticking it out too and making the year. I agree with GM2RN. The OP didn't mention a toxic or dangerous work enviroment. I realize the OP misses her son but she took to job knowing about the long commute. I say stay and get your years experience. Leaving 5 months in may affect future jobs-espeically if the other job doesn't work out.