Torn Between a Job and a Hard Place

[Nurse Lonnie]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping for a little advice, or some solid opinions at the least. I'm a fairly new (less than 2 years) Michigan nurse. I have some psych experience, and as many know, once you get into psych nursing it's very difficult to get out. I've done psych as an aide as well and am not interested in doing it anymore. I have applied to hundreds of med surg jobs and have had no success at even getting an interview until recently. My predicament is, I have just recently accepted a part-time job at a good hospital...in the psych unit. Meanwhile I was just offered a full-time job in an observation unit in a hospital that probably isn't as good. I really want the learning experience (and hours) involved in the observation unit. Like I said, I have no desire to be a psych nurse. However, I've just begun orientation in a classy hospital for a part-time psych job. I'm struggling with what to do now. Stay at a job I don't want at a great hospital, or leave the job I've just started for a more difficult one that will give me med surg experience? Any thoughts?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

If you leave the "classy" hospital on good terms, you can always come back once you get some experience under your belt doing something else. If you know you don't want to do psych nursing, and you have a job offer in something else, why stay?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

You are contradicting yourself. Do what you wish to do, as you have expressed that is getting out of psych, you have the opportunity to do so, take it!

Annie

[Nurse Lonnie]

I guess the difficulty in my decisions lies in the fact that I've just begun orientation and don't really know what leaving on "good terms" would look like. Is there a good way to leave a job I've just accepted?

[Nurse Lonnie]

I'm sure I do sound like I'm contradicting myself, but I guess that's because I realize there are pros and cons to both places. That's why I'm torn. I don't totally trust my judgment as a new nurse and want to know what others think. Leaving a good hospital right after getting a job there is difficult for me to take lightly. The hospital I would be going to isn't a great a hospital. I don't want to turn down this experience though. I just wanted to see if that makes sense to seasoned nurses I guess.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Can you go down to per diem once off orientation at the psych job in time for starting medsurg job? Always good to have backup in case new job doesn't work out.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I guess the difficulty in my decisions lies in the fact that I've just begun orientation and don't really know what leaving on "good terms" would look like. Is there a good way to leave a job I've just accepted?

Leaving on good terms is putting in a notice and working the notice out. Tell them you've been offered a full time position somewhere and you are going to pursue that opportunity. If you don't work out a notice, you may not be eligible for rehire within the hospital system.