Is it time to quit your nursing job?

How do you know it’s time to find another job? I’ll be honest: I’m the worst at this. I never want to leave the stability and comfort of a job. Even a toxic job that makes me cry. I’ve gotten better with age, but it’s taken time and awareness.

So what are the signs that it may be time to quit your nursing job and find something else? Let’s dive in.

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Overworked

It’s the same, old story: unsafe patient ratios and overworked nurses. We’ve all

been there. The busy floor when someone calls out and suddenly you're absorbing their caseload. Your caseload was already too big to handle, but that didn’t matter to the clinic. I hope you weren’t looking forward to an easy shift.

What about the nurse working 8 12-hour shifts in a row? Or the one clocking out at 7AM just to come right back at 3PM? Or all those nurses who don’t want to call out, because “who will take care of the patients”?

If this sounds familiar: it’s time to leave. This is not the type of work environment you deserve to spend the majority of your time at. Get out, now, while you still have your mental health intact.

Unsafe Conditions

An unsafe environment can affect you for the rest of your life. Exposure to latex overtime or a needle injury can cause lifelong health conditions. Many nurses are physically or verbally harassed at their healthcare facilities, increasing rates of mental illness and physical disabilities. A job is not worth a lifelong disability.

Bored

If you’re bored and not being challenged by your specialty, it’s okay to leave. You don’t have to have a resounding reason to want to get out. Sometimes it’s as simple as being underutilized and bored. No one wants to walk into the same thing every single day. You deserve to find a job that excites you and makes you happy.

Hit the Paywall

If you have hit the highest financial bracket at a facility, see what else is out there. You’re probably overqualified to be at your current position. It may be time

to seek out another role in a higher position. It doesn’t hurt to look, and you may be surprised at the offers that come your way.

No Room for Growth

Professional growth keeps you motivated. If there’s nothing to work towards, it’s easy to lose motivation. Sometimes, you’ve hit the highest rung at your facility and there’s nowhere else to go. You’ve learned everything you could, and you’re starting to feel like there’s no excitement left in your position.

Poor Management

One of the scariest types of facilities is one with poor management. We are only as good as our resources and our administrators. If we don’t have the staff, tools, and support, we can’t do our job. And if we can’t do our job, we risk losing our licenses in unsafe situations.

Summary

Knowing when to quit isn’t always the most obvious sign. People crave stability, especially financial stability. If you’re feeling burned out, unsafe, or bored, it may be time to find a better position. You don’t have to wait for a defining moment to come along to quit. You deserve a job where you feel appreciated, challenged, and supported.

If you're ready to take the leap into writing, check out the the Writer’s Academy. Or, join us on the Nursing Now Podcast.