Will going agency now screw my resume/career forever?

rnccf2007, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

I currently have about a year's experience as an RN. Nursing is a second career for me - I was an editor for two years, took a position as a copywriter, was laid off, waited tables for three years during prereqs for nursing school, got a job at a hospital where I worked as a tech and then transitioned to an RN position. I was there for a year, (half as a tech, half as an RN) then my husband got a job elsewhere. The closest nursing job I could find to his new job was three hours away. I've been commuting for about six months, but it's killing me, and is really hard on our family life. Don't get me wrong - I'm super thankful to have a job, especially in this location and with the economy. Also, the hospital is amazing - if I could move it 2.5 hours closer, it would be perfect.
I have an agency who's offering a 13-week contract close to home. Am I making myself into Nurse JobHopper if take the agency job? Do I try to just tough it out with the commute for another year or so? Can I just go back to being ten years old when being a grownup looked easy? Any thoughts appreciated!

I personally do not think that you would be considered a "nurse job hopper." You left the first job, because your spouse found a position elsewhere (not uncommon in today's society). As for the second job, I do not think that any future employer in their right mind would question why someone would take another position closer to home r/t a 3 hour commute. You must be exhausted! Also, the agency job may lead to permanent hire or opportunities for other jobs closer to home. Just make sure you research the agency thoroughly before making any decisions. My first job involved an 1 1/2 hour commute. I had worked there for one year when I applied for another RN position that was closer to home (10 minutes vs a 1 1/2 hour commute). I was looking for a new job, because the commute was killing me, and I did not have the option to relocate closer to that position at the time, as I was helping to take care of a sick family member. When I was interviewed for my second job, I was honest about this. I got the job. I decided to leave this job 2 1/2 years later, because a new corporation had taken over, work conditions were dangerous for both patients and my license, and there were no opportunities for professional growth or advancement. While interviewing for my third and current position, I stated that I was looking for a position that offered professional growth and advancement (leaving out the negative working conditons at my previous position). I am now working for a major hospital system which provides many opportunities to advance my career. My point, just be honest during any future interview as you have been in this post.

shirleyujest · Aug 17, 2011

Hi gigglymo,

Your story sounds a lot like mine did when I started out in nursing: After my first year in nursing, I did some traveling assignments. Partially because I was young and it sounded like fun, and partially because there wasn't much work near my home. After a few travel assignments, I came home and applied to a local hospital and stayed there for a few years.

The way I see it, burnout in nursing is a big problem. A stable home life is sometimes the only thing that has the potential to give you enough balance to keep you sane. If you have such a horrible commute to work that it's putting a strain on your family, in addition to the stress that just a normal nursing job will put you (and your family) under, you are in danger of burning out that much sooner.

If you take the 13 week contract with the agency, and they like you, they will often offer to extend that contract. Then you have the chance to earn bonuses and all kinds of added benefits. I know a couple of nurses who worked for an agency at the same hospital for years. They just kept extending the contract again and again.

I would say go for the agency job, enjoy your family, and if you get the chance to extend your contract (or go permanent at the facility) build some resume stability that way. And if they don't extend you, I don't think it necessarily looks bad to job-hop after a 13 week assignment. If you fulfilled your commitment, and the job just didn't continue past that, it's easy to explain to other employers. I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time it had happened. In fact I know it wouldn't be the first time. When I decided I'd had enough traveling, the next manager didn't bat an eyelash at my moving from hospital to hospital. In fact, she liked the fact that it showed I was flexible. And it wasn't like I had quit because I didn't like it. I had honored my obligation to the agency, and was just going to the next phase.

Good luck!

gigglymo · Aug 17, 2011

Thanks for the replies - I've really been struggling with being a "good employee" vs. having some semblance of a life.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

I would just be careful because staff jobs are very hard to get right now and hospitals are using almost no agency nurses. You might be in a great place for the 13 weeks, and then find out that there are no agency jobs in the area. Otherwise doing agemcy is great experience and does not hurt a resume.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Aug 17, 2011

Stay on at your current place prn. Then you will not have left, per se, and there is not "job hopping," and you still have a foot in the door if the agency doesn't work out.

Good luck.

caliotter3 · Aug 17, 2011

I was directly asked if I was a job hopper one time and I gave the explanation for my job history. This is what you would do too. The prospective employer should be satisfied with your explanation.

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

I agree with lineartthinker, you can maintain current hosptital position as perdiem basis.

you can commit one or two shifts per month, and stay with them for a while.

That way you have something to fall back on incase the agency job doesn't work out.

Good luck to your new adventure in agency nursing! :nurse:

79Tango · Aug 17, 2011

3HOUR COMMUTE -Nobody would think of you as a job-hopper. I would give notice explaining the situation and thank them for the opportunity. If you do not get extended on the contract you can always try to go back. You owe to yourself and family to at least try. Especially since you have an offer. Its not like you are quitting to go find a job.

Guest717236 · Aug 17, 2011

Thanks for the replies - I've really been struggling with being a "good employee" vs. having some semblance of a life.

That is outdated to me. Nurses are now laid off at a drop of a hat especially if a new healthcare system takes over, as they just did with 2 of our local hospitals.

So do what is best for you , your family and join a specialty organization to keep current.

Good luck with your agency job and enjoy more time with your family...

JosefVernon Hodgkins · Aug 31, 2011

I don't believe so if you find a good, respectful, agency in which you can grow professionally.

At your assignments though you must be able to work at 100% every shift otherwise it's a bad situation.

Good luck,

-Joe

lsvalliant · Sep 20, 2011

I love agency and I find enough work with two of them to keep me pretty busy. I agree with the above poster who said keep a per diem (regular job). I have a per diem job on the weekend and do my agency stuff monday-friday. I love love love the assignments I've been getting. And get this.. I dont work in hospitals. I made it very clear to both agencies that I only take outpatient or community assignments. I stay busy. I've done camp nursing (Awesome!), psych nursing, school nursing, pain clinics, a cardiologist's office, and flu shot clinics. I could not be happier.