Too soon to leave new job?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 22, 2013

The answer is you don't tell them. You stay for at least a year because they spent all that time and money training and oriented you and because they're a great group of people and your managers are so nice. Finding a job with good people and good managers is a real gift, and you'll regret it if you throw that away. Hospital nursing may or may not be for you, but it's too soon to tell. Ditto with third shift. I'm sure you haven't been on third shift for the whole four months. It takes a while to adjust.

I know the first year of nursing is tough, but believe me you don't make it easier on yourself by job hopping. Suck it up, stick it out and learn everything you can. A year from now if you still want to quit, THEN start looking for jobs.

This is why managers don't like hiring new grads.

westieluv · Sep 22, 2013

I have to agree with Ruby, I think it would be a great benefit to you to have a full year of Med/Surg nursing under your belt before getting into home nursing. Even if you were the top student in your class, there is no substitute for good, old, hands on experience, and when you are out in someone's home and it is just you and a patient and family who are depending on you to know exactly what to do, you will really appreciate that you stuck around to gain that experience, because it will prove to be invaluable. Home nursing involves a lot of autonomy and problem solving skills, and as a new grad without experience, you will probably find yourself feeling like you jumped from the frying pan into the fire much of the time. I was a home hospice nurse when I had about 15 years of various types of nursing experience under my belt, and without that experience it would have been even more stressful than it was. You really need some kind of experience before working independently. Trust me!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

I think it would be wise for you to stick it out and stay at least a year for the experience. I don't think it is a good idea for a new grad to be doing home care precisely because you are on your own and have to make judgement calls of when to call the dr or when the pt needs to go back to the hospital. You lack the experience to guide you safely. In the hospital you have others around you to help or ask for advice, this is not the case in home care.

Also it is just not a good idea to burn any bridges with your first job. With the way the economy is it is best to stay on good terms, plus if you decide to go back to school you may need a letter or reference from your boss and/or peers. Also if you do decide on other options like clinic or home care you will usually get benefits if you stick with a large hospital system vs a small indept which might not even offer benefits. Hospital benefits are getting worse, but some places don't offer them at all!

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

I respectfully disagree with Ruby. If you get offered the new job and you feel it is a good fit, you tell them NOW and leave after your two week notice is up. Don't let anyone guilt you into staying because "they spent so much money on you". Please believe, if they wanted to fire you they would in a heart beat and wouldn't think twice about you or your family.

Now, if you are having trouble adjusting to being a nurse or working the floor than I would advise you to stick it out for a year. However, if you know deep down in your heart and soul that this job is not the right fit, then I see no issue with resigning.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

OP, I re-read your post and because you do work with such great people, I honestly would try to stick it out. Having a great team to work with is priceless. With that said, I'm a firm believer that hospital nursing is not for everyone. I would write a list of off the pros and cons of staying and leaving. Then make your decision.

turningred15 · Sep 28, 2013

I was in your same situation. I left the hospital after 5 months and never looked back because I knew that type of work was not for me.

Never let anyone tell you that you have an obligation to stay at a job because they spent so much time and money training you. Employers are not loyal to their employees - why should it be the other way around?

Please make sure this is a job you will not regret leaving. Ask your potential employer lots of questions before changing jobs. Even spend a day with one of the nurses in that company to see how you would like the fit and ask that nurse tons of questions too.

I have had 4 RN jobs since I graduated 5 years ago. I am finally in a place where I like the work I do and I feel financially and emotionally rewarded (most days!) by my job. I have never had trouble switching jobs or moving my way up the career ladder as I did that. In fact, I was able to move up a lot faster than if I hung on to some of my previous jobs which were not a good fit.

Life is too short to waste time doing something you don't love. Good luck!

jafferine · Oct 1, 2013

Thanks to everyone who posted and provided their input. I do appreciate it. My interview is tomorrow!

I do have to ask Ruby, if managers don't like hiring new grads, who would they hire? There are never any FT daylight jobs available (or for that matter, PT daylight jobs) for new grads. By the time all the daylight jobs are posted internally, the nurses with experience and/or seniority have already applied, and all that is left are these night jobs. Don't get me wrong, I agree and understand that seniority rules.

I might be a new grad, but I am not a young gal. I worked for over 25 years before I was laid off and got the chance to go to nursing school. So, I understand the politics of business and I am not a job hopper. 20 of those 25 years were with the same company before my layoff. My layoff was a blessing because I have ALWAYS wanted to be a nurse and I am very excited to be here. (I have personal reasons I won't bore anyone with as to why I didn't go to nursing school right out of high school.)

I know that just because my managers are so nice, that is not necessarily a reason to stay. I HATE third shift and no, I haven't been on it for my whole four months, but I HAVE been on it for three months and it isn't getting easier for me.

To an extent, I enjoy the work there. However, on my floor so far hospital nursing has offered only med passes, getting vital signs, and charting. I am not really practicing any nursing skills.

So, aside from the fact that my coworkers and managers are nice, there isn't much that I feel I am gaining from this job. I have a friend who has worked for this home nursing company for 7 years. It is a large company, and is consistently rated one of the top 100 places to work in our state. Not just in the medical field, but ALL industries. Yes, there is a lot of autonomy for a new nurse to handle, and I definitely plan to address that situation during my interview. I also am going to ask if I can do a ride along for a day. Like turningred15 said, the interview will be a good time to ask A LOT of questions to help me decide if leaving is the best thing for me. (That is if I am even offered the job!)

Thanks again to everyone and thanks for your support. I will keep you posted! J

turningred15 · Oct 7, 2013

How did it go? Just wondering how you liked the agency and how things went!

jafferine · Oct 8, 2013

Hi! The interview was awesome. I initially spoke to the HR rep, and tomorrow have my second interview with the actual supervisor for the position. It feels like home nursing is right up my alley. I do think I will ask first if I can shadow a nurse for a day or so before making the ultimate decision to leave. The pay cut is tremendous and if I am offered the job and want to take it, I need to negotiate a bit more. The company website states that the hiring wage is based on experience, and while I just graduated nursing school in May, I have over 20 years of customer service experience. The company's mission statement emphasizes quality customer service, so I hope they will take my experience into consideration.

One more thought, I worked one my shifts at the hospital the other night. It has been real difficult for our floor of late. We are accepting patients with a much higher acuity than we are trained, and the staffing ratio is consistently more than we feel safe. Our union contract starts negotiations in December and it is rumored there is a hiring freeze right now. On top of that, we were just bought this summer by a "mega" hospital network (which is NOT unionized...this will be interesting).

When I left in the morning, I was overcome with guilt at leaving while my co-workers are so overwhelmed and stressed. My night manager goes out of her way to help us out as long as we are making an effort to work hard and show team work. UGH...I don't know what to do.

Prairienurse1989 · Oct 10, 2013

Life is so short girl, and no disrespect to the previous posters but don't ever pass up an opportunity that piques your interest. Don't ever stay somewhere just because you feel guilty. Do what is good for you, do what makes you happy, and enjoy this new opportunity. Your going to be just fine, I'm very happy to hear you took the interview.