When is too soon to Get a new job?

[Amigo_of_Nightingale]

I am a new graduate nurse. I have been working on an adult med surg floor since August but what I really want to do is work in pediatrics. I took the first job that was offered. I just saw a new prn float position at the children's hospital down the street from my current place of work. Is it too soon in my career to add a new chapter in my employment to add a new job? I was thinking of working both places and just doing the minimal of the prn job to keep on payroll while working full time at my regular job. Thanks for your time

[fazey]

_{I am a new graduate nurse. I have been working on an adult med surg floor since August but what I really want to do is work in pediatrics. I took the first job that was offered. I just saw a new prn float position at the children's hospital down the street from my current place of work. Is it too soon in my career to add a new chapter in my employment to add a new job? I was thinking of working both places and just doing the minimal of the prn job to keep on payroll while working full time at my regular job. Thanks for your time}

I am in the exact same position here...I also took the first job offered, on a Med-Surg unit, when I really want to be working my way into pediatric trauma. I feel like I am going to become "trapped" in my current position! Please, recommendations/advice on how to approach this somewhat sensitive matter would be greatly appreciated!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Well, taking a PRN position would be a great way to "phase in" your transition to a different job. BUT (you knew it was coming, right?) when you change clinical specialties, there is a significant amount of training/orientation that has to take place to establish your competencies for that new position. Ordinarily, hiring managers do not plan on putting this much effort into a PRN nurse - they expect them to be able to "hit the ground running". Even if the hiring manager was willing to invest the time to train you, how would you work that? Could you take time off from your full time job? You need to discuss this with the hiring manager when (if?) you have an opportunity to interview for that PRN job.

In the meantime, hang in there on your FT job. MedSurg jobs are a wonderful environment for developing your expertise. You may consider even looking at obtaining your board certification in MedSurg. This provides clear evidence of your commitment to your profession and would be very attractive to any potential hiring manager.