How long did you work at your first Nursing Position ?
First Nursing Job: Vascular Med/Surg IMC
I was straight from Nursing school... Straight outta my Nursing Residency working as an acute care adult RN. The unit was very fast paced - ratios's were 4:1 - Drips/ Tele/ Lines/ Inappropriate step downs from the ICU (*DEEP eye roll*). Within a few months a new unit opened up at the same hospital- this was the unit I was originally signed to work on. It was bright, shiny, and new - BUT basically the same patient population. Another Med/Surg IMC - which was still basically the dumping grounds for it all. We had Oncology, Hepatology, Psych, Transplant...errrrythang ! Looking back on this, it was literally the ideal place for a new grad. I learned a lot, was challenged and felt defeated some days! It was tough no doubt about it - but I got through and today I am THIS Nurse because of it.
Do I think every new grad needs to go through hell to make it out and "prove themselves?" Nope. But if you were dealt those lemons...better make it lemonade baby
( HAD TO DO IT).
How long did I last there ? 2.5 Years
Not a minute more. Nursing is tough for sure and I was warned about it -but you really don't get it until you become a Nurse. My grandmother, Mom, and God-mom were all nurses. They all lasted wayyyy longer than me, and that was just on one specific unit. My mom was an ICU nurse for 25 + years on the same unit - her entire career. According to the 10 - year RN Work Project study, 17% of newly licensed RN's leave their first nursing job within the 1st year, with 33 % leaves within the first 2 years. I mean I lasted 2 and a half, and that HALF certainly counts. Conclusive of completing Nursing Residency (maternity leave in between mmm hmmm), transfer of units, Evidenced based Research project, Charge RN, Nights/ Weekends/ Holidays, and everything in between. Yep, it all counts - make it count.
How long did you intend to stay ?
I think this is the interview question we all lie about: Where do you see yourself in 2-5 years ?
Real Answer: I Meannnnnn it depends on a few things, like what is that pay looking like ?
I kid I kid - Please Please dont say that, but we can all admit that you were definitely thinking it.
Welp, I can honestly say when I answered the question, I saw myself possibly staying at the same hospital not necessarily the same unit.
I got into nursing because of the diversity of the field, and all the ways you could Nurse in Nursing.
I took the job at that specific hospital because of its community reputation, Magnet RN status, opportunities for growth, and it was a large teaching hospital. Yep that's what I wanted at the time, but things change - opportunities present themselves and sometimes you've gotta move on them.
What could have changed to make you stay longer ?
TIME
Well to answer that fully I guess I have to name the main reason I changed jobs in the first place: I became a mama to two busy boys. & then my priorities changed & nothing else mattered except spending more time with them. So even though a hospital is probably where you will find the best flexibility in hours/ shifts, it took a lot outta me. I was completely exhausted. So yes I had the flexibility, but that built in time with them I was too tired to enjoy any of it.
LOCATION
So I found a new position minutes from my house - Because lets face it finding a nursing job with minimal workload is unheard of. So I made sure that even if it was tough shift - I was minutes from home.
GROWTH
I didn't really seek out Nurse management and administration, but I was qualified and took that opportunity to flex the diversity in nursing that first drew me in (& Nurse leadership had a nice ring to it lol). I was able to combine my public health degree (MPH), and Nursing into community health.
So what's your take on Nursing Retention ? Why did you leave you first Nursing position ?
Be a nurse - Stay a nurse and tell me how you did it !
Comment and let me know. Inquiring minds want to know.
Do take care
Nurse Megs
Comments