How long do you typically stay in a position in your nursing career? For me, I have had every nursing job (just started my fourth one) for at least two years. Two years gives me a broad view of my position and allows me to decide if this is what I want to do and is there where I want to do it.
I’m sure there are some of you reading this and thinking “two years is a long time to figure out if you want to be where you are!” For me, not really (keywords: for me). I feel like the first year I am trying to become proficient in my job. I’m the new kid, I am learning how things are done here and establishing my own routine. Essentially, I am getting into my groove. I learned that when I am the “new kid” I get frustrated and irritated easily and often times blame the job. I go through the “I don’t like this job” phase, not because the environment is bad but because I am not great in the environment and I can be a bit of a perfectionist. That second year is when I am really evaluating my job. By the second year, I am good at what I do. I know my skills, I have my routine, I know this place. I know my coworkers. I know my doctors. I know what type of patients I will see on a consistent basis. I know how the hospital works. I am typically in some sort of leadership role by the second year. This is the point where I can take an objective look at where I am and whether I want to continue. Do I really hate this job? Is it the people? The environment? Do I not enjoy this patient population? Am I burnt out? I feel like I can really make a less biased observation at this point. My “two-year” thing is not something I expect other people to embrace. I do feel like one year on the job is enough for some people to figure out if they like what they are doing. And let’s be honest, those of us that have had more than one job can think of one place that we have worked where we knew we were in the wrong place before we hit that first year!
What I wonder is how soon is too soon to bounce to the next job? I have some nursing friends that have had several jobs in the same amount of time that I have been in one place of employment. Experience-wise, I would assume that it looks great to a potential employer. I mean, this person looks like they know a little about everything. However, I also wonder if having several jobs for a short amount of time makes a person look like a job hopper? Do some hiring managers see this as a “red flag”? Would a manager want to invest in an employee that may leave quickly? I have asked a few people that were or are responsible for new employees and they each said that they look for a year at least.
So if I have any hiring managers reading this: what are you looking for? How soon is too soon to go from one job to the next? Do you even pay attention to how long we are in a position?
Barely Sane Nurse 