Making a Career Move Maybe you are considering a career move, whether it is a lateral move from one hospital to another, or to a private practice. It is a decision that most nurses face at some point. So, sit down and make a list comprised of the good and bad in changing jobs. Reasons to Consider a Career Move You have reached your full potential in your current job, and you want more. This would be rare in a hospital setting;however, it is possible. If you have a strong desire to climb a career ladder, and in your current job there is no chance of advancement, it might be time to consider exploring options. You have reached a point that you are simply unhappy in your current job. Everyone has times that things just don't go well, there is more or less a slump, at work. In some cases, the feelings may pass, so waiting a little time may be in your best interest. If things don't improve, start researching new positions. Financial gain is often a reason to consider a career move. It's difficult to remain in a position when you know for a fact you are worth more elsewhere. Proximity may be a reason; however, it probably should not be the only reason. If you drive 3 hours one way to work and have a chance to work 15 minutes from home, it is at least worth looking into. Related: Caffeine-Free Tips to Stay Awake Reasons Not to Make a Career Move Never make a career move because someone else wants you to. Many times, partners hear that you could make more at a different company, and they feel you should go where you are worth more. If, you feel that way, it's worth considering, however, do not make a move based on what anyone else wants. A bad day is not a reason to hit up google for a job search. We all have bad days; even bad weeks, give it a, little time, things can and usually do get better. Think carefully before making a career move based on monetary reasons alone. Finances are important; however, we spend a large amount of time at work, and it's very important to be happy. It's fairly common for money to turn heads, but don't let that be the only reason to make a job change. Top Three Reasons to Change Careers 1. Feeling burned out or exhausted
Nurses need not drag themselves to work only to feel exhausted and burned out. Yet many do. The RN4CAST study reported in March 2012 that 34 percent of nurses in the United States indicated feeling burned out, and onequarter of them were dissatisfied with their jobs. 2. Hating the idea of going to work Dreading to go to work each day is a good reason to consider moving on, whether due to disdain for co-workers or supervisors or the workload or an unsatisfying environment. Some nurses opt to stay within their comfort zone for fear of being able to find another position in a tight job market, but pointed out that staying in a bad situation is unhealthy and can erode one’s self-esteem. 3. Craving a change Sometimes people simply need to move on, to get a new boss, new responsibilities or new expectations, try a change first. Go from inpatient care to ambulatory or home health within the same organization. Nurses who are looking for a bigger change and some new adventures may want to consider a switch to travel nursing, which offers the chance to explore a variety of settings without a long-term commitment. Changing jobs can be intimidating, but then again, many new things in life are. Never let fear stop you from taking the next step in life. You can always ask yourself, what you would do if fear was not an issue. Related: Distinguished Registered Nurse Dianelis M. Herrera, RN, MSN, AGACNP-BC, will be Presented in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter