How long to stay at a job you don't like?

What is the proper length of time to stay at a job you don't like? 6 months? 1 year? Do you think a future nurse manager would look poorly on an RN that was out of the nursing field (but a health-related field) for a year?
It depends.If lives are at serious risk, if you are being pushed into unsafe practice, or you are so miserable you cannot function, then give your notice right away.Make a quick escape from anything illegal or dangerous.If you just don't like the job, then give them one year if you are a new grad. With one year, you will be considered an "experienced" nurse and have more job options open to you.When you have more options available, your chances of landing a job you like are better.

I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

If you dont like the job and you have given it a decent chance, then you should start to find new employment and when found, put your 2 weeks in. No reason on wasting your time, or the time and money of your employer. Life is too short to not enjoy what you do with it!

Aha OP, I blew out of a private sector CM position myself.

Quote from onacleardayAha OP, I blew out of a private sector CM position myself.

Quote from PAERRN20I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

I hear ya. Mine ended up being many long days and nights the co was totally not managed well. Poor relationships with physicians and hospitals. Train wreck. If it had been good, I might have stayed. But, of course not, right?!

Quote from PAERRN20I have 3+ years RN experience. I took a case management job in the private sector and it is not going to work out long term for me. I'd like to go back to the acute care setting. I thought I'd stay 6 months and them make an exit. Is that reasonable?

I always say give it 6 months in general circumstances. Anything extraordinary ASAP.

I think they are used to the obtuse positive stuff. Say, you missed the hands on patient care and found that you just dont feel like you were doing what you were meant to be doing as a nurse not being a part of acute care. You could say that you had thought that this other job would add to your skills as a nurse, but instead it's all charting and researching and you miss not being totally involved in direct patient care. If there were fundamental management problems, eg poor relationships between the co you were at and facilities, and you felt your hands were tied... say it. With that you can go into why the new place attracted you, what things they have that the other lacks, and why you must work for a co like the new one. That way you don't seem so flighty, you want out for a valid reason.

Quote from Student_Nurse_JessLife is too short to not enjoy what you do with it!

As in all honesty your current job is not adding to your skills, I would think it would be in your best interest to start looking. Wanting hands-on when many are looking for opposite should help you. Best of luck