When is it too soon to leave?

oneLoneNurse · Nov 14, 2007

I am an RN who currently works on a unit that I can't stand. Management is apathetic and unavailable, coworkers are unhelpful and condescending, and just the whole vibe of the place is out of sync. If I were to leave after working as a tech for 4 months and an RN for 6 months would that look bad to future potential employers?

My thoughts are: not in this shortage. And so what if it does? Sounds horrible. Whats worth more your sanity or CV?

Zookeeper3 · Nov 14, 2007

honestly, 6 months is a very fair time frame to know that the "mix" won't work. To speak with future employers, "the structure of the nursing environment was not conducive to support my growth". and "at times I've felt held back because of continued internal issues that interfered with my orientation and advancement to an independent new RN". If pressed further.... I'd rather decline to speak negatively of my facility, as I'm sure they are trying to iron out issues, but my future as an RN is a priority and I'm looking for the right opportunity to grow.

been there done that in a bad spot, as well as hired and fired.... this says.... you are bigger than the mess you came from, learned that and are moving on because you can do better, provide better and ARE better than the mess you're in.

give it a try

6 months is more than ok

ginger58, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2007

Flap your wings out of there! Life is too short to suffer. Best!

wayunderpaid · Nov 14, 2007

ditto to the above post. get out. 6 months is a great time to give something a try and find it does not work. If this happens repeatedly, employers will soon figure out where the problem lies.

I hope you find a better job. Plenty out there to be picky.

Wayunderpaid

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 14, 2007

Six months is a good time to start looking around at what is out there, so when you reach the one year mark, you can line up a job in a more compatible unit.

Unless you are being abused, pushed into unsafe practices or so unhappy you cannot function, then keep marching along. Go week to week if you have to. One year shows an employee who persevered, and you will have a wide-open field of job options.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 14, 2007

I agree with Zookeeper on this one. You've given it time, if it's not working now it won't. I'd also be tempted to quote Zookeeper verbatim, I think it's very well worded.

I don't think having less than a year in an environment that is really dysfunctional will be looked upon negatively by most employers, and you can convey the dysfunctionality without being very negative.

Good luck in finding something better. Oh, and you'll be surprised how much better you'll feel once you've made up your mind to leave!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 14, 2007

I does look bad to leave in less than a year -- but if you are miserable, sometimes it is the best choice to make anyway. However, I would strongly recommend that you not leave until you have another job lined up. That way, you won't find yourself unemployed and perhaps end up with an awkward gap in your employment history. If you were to quit and then have a little trouble finding a job you really wanted, it could look suspicious to a prospective employer -- particularly if that 2nd job doesn't work out and you don't stay there long. To avoid that problem, have the new job all lined up before you resign so that there is a minimal gap and you can always show that the choice to leave that first choice was yours based on the fact that a better opportunity came along for you.

The fact that there is a nursing shortage in many areas of the country doesn't mean that employers will always overlook the fact that an applicant has been hopping from one job to another frequently. You still need to "tend to the appearance of your resume." In fact, some hospitals have been burned so much by job hoppers that they are getting pickier about hiring (to not waste money on people likely to leave soon) and/or insisting on contracts. You never know when the employment climate may change in your region. So, don't be careless about resume just because conditions at the moment are in your favor. You'll be living with your resume for the rest of your life. Keep it in good order and you'll be well-prepared for whatever the future brings.