So I have a question for you. When is the right time to quit your job? When do you just take a deep breath and start the process of moving on?
I was never one of those people who kept one eye on the want ads. Maybe you're one of those who do. I've always been content with where I am; I'm not fond of change. I'm very fond of the status quo. It's a known entity.
Lots of nurses quit a job because it's terrible. I get that. The staff and/or docs are terrible. The pay is awful. The politics are unbearable. The hours are killing you. You feel like you're drowning in all the stuff you don't know. You feel like throwing up when you wake up and have to go to work. I've quit jobs for those reasons.
I'm faced with a different dilemma now. I have a job I love, but another opportunity has presented itself. It sounds great. I'd work with people I like. It's an opportunity to grow professionally. And it's close to home. But did I mention that I hate change? And I do my current job well. It's one I've been doing for nine years and could probably do until retirement. Change that is thrust upon you is one thing...but choosing it?
I can just hear you now. "Grow up, Jana! Grow, move, change. It will be good for you." Oh wait. Maybe that's my mom talking. She didn't raise me to be a coward. It just comes naturally.
I don't mean for this to be all about me. It's just that many of you, though younger and newer in the field, are really smart and still in the searching phase of life. I need a little pep talk. A reminder that adventure (if you can call a job change that) is a good thing.
And there is the possibility that I'm not the only nurse in the world who needs a little kick in the pants.
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June 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Perhaps you do not have to leave completely. Surely you can stay where you are as part time or PRN. That will give you a chance to check out the new job, see if you like, while still letting the old job depend on you. You’ll still feel confident that you know what you’re doing somewhere.
-Louisiana RN
June 9th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I was recently in a similar situation – making a choice to leave something that was “comfortable” to me to try something new, and I can honestly say I am so happy that I made the decision to try something new. Turns out I am so much happier and have found something new in nursing that I love doing! Change is really scary, but sometimes it’s worth the risk! You’ll never know unless you try:)
June 10th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Jana,
Do you live to work, or work to live? Quality-of-life should play a role in your decision. For all the hours you spend thinking about the pros and cons of a new work environment, have you spent an equal amount of time considering the new community’s compatibility with your lifestyle and personality traits? It’s a package deal. The city comes with the job. Don’t discount the affect environment will play on your ability to be happy.
I recommend you take a look at whosyourcity.com, and use the free place finder tool to define the characteristics of your ideal community. A more detailed analysis of neighborhood profiles, and lifestyle opportunities, by zip code, can be found at realtor.com. Click the “Find a Neighborhood” menu option.
If you’d ever like to move to Washington state, my hospital (yakimamemorial.org) has over 60 openings for qualified RNs.