If you've left a mega hospital for a smaller company...

How did you fare?

I mentioned I'm toying around with the idea of maybe leaving the mega hospital system I work for to maybe transition to a imaging center that is a national chain.

I've only been with the hospital about 8mos. Always knew floor nursing isn't "it" for me but want a respectable resume to move on.

So far I passed the phone interview and will proceed to the next step. Who knows what sort of shot I really have but I like to be prepared.

I was surprised to learn that this position makes "significantly more" than my curreny position. I make a little above starting but always figured clinics and whatnot paid less. My health benefits are really good too, especially I don't have to make a huge contribution so that's important as well.

Even in best case if I'd have the opportunity to take this job, I'm nervous to leave a mega hospital that pretty much rules everything in this area including many of the out patient clinics for an "unknown" especially since that unknown is based in another state across the country!

Any thoughts appreciated.
Quote from Kitty HawkEven in best case if I'd have the opportunity to take this job, I'm nervous to leave a mega hospital that pretty much rules everything in this area including many of the out patient clinics for an "unknown" especially since that unknown is based in another state across the country! Any thoughts appreciated.

Quote from MBARNBSNWhat is your concern with leaving? If you leave on good terms there should be no reason that you cannot be rehired at a later date if you choose. Thus, put in your two week notice after you receive a job offer. Also thank your manager for the opportunity but [feel in the blank with respectful comments] and move on. Hope that helps.

Quote from Kitty HawkThanks it's just that this company I work for leads you to believe if you ever leave do not plan on trying to return to them. I agree that it would be nice if I could be re hired if need be, but this system is all about transferring around within their system. I get the impression that they feel if you want to work as an RN in any capacity they pretty much have a job to cover that. I do know of a couple of people that left on decent terms just were burned out from the hospital now they're having a hard time getting back and this hospital doesn't do anything much on referral it's an online process that can take awhile from what I've heard.I'm nervous b/c I know for a fact if this opportunity works out, it won't be the last stop. I love the teaching aspects but I realize there's not going to be much of a variety. It will be the same teaching points, even with diet, it's not like I can teach healthier choices it's just the basic diet or fasting for tests. I'm afraid that if I leave the hospital too soon, I will have burned my chances down the line for another position that will have wanted a strong floor experience background for whatever I want to do in wellness promotion. It seems other positions want 3 to 5 years hosptal experience. Not sure what's negotiable. Aside from occassionaly getting pulled to a med/surg floor I won't have a strong background with various ailments anyway. Since I'm on an ortho unit I can pretty much anticpate various orders. I'm still a lost fish when I get a med/surg patient, but I have zero desire to strictly work on that type of floor. I prefer dealing with patients who are mostly well. Just my preference. This company I'm interviewing for just emerged from Chap 11 restructuring clearing out significant debt but received new revolving credit for working capital for their ongoing operations. I guess part of that is opening a center near me. Part of that is really exciting to maybe get in on that, the other part is scary.Oh, and I did leave on what I thought was excellent terms from my last job. I was respectful, gave 2 weeks notice wrote a very nice letter of termination offering to chat with the DON, neither she nor my nurse manager had word one to say to me. I was never wished well, nice having you nothing. They despised that I was moving on however I get they could be petty, but genearally our experiences color our perceptions.

Quote from ijuanabhappyI'm kind of in the same boat you are but decided to take the plunge for the smaller company. It was closer, better hours, and better pay. I'm really stressed out though because the hospital is saying I am not eligible for rehire because I did not give sufficient notice. Well my situation was a little different. I, too, have tried floor nursing and it is just not for me. I was in one internship and not succeeding, so I was given an opportunity to start another internship in June. Well, I am in between jobs. The new internship has not started yet. I was offered a better opportunity and decided to turn down the internship. Now they are saying I am not eligible for rehire. If I gave two weeks notice, where would I have worked for two weeks when the internship has not even began? I would say do what is best for you, your family, and your mental health. When one door closes, another one opens. At least that is what I'm telling myself. Decisions are hard to make, I know.

At 46, I would go for it. You know what you want and don't want. Don't let an institution, hold you back. You are a grown woman with her own mind. Maybe a new gig across the country is what the doctor ordered. Go kick some butt!

Quote from Chin upAt 46, I would go for it. You know what you want and don't want. Don't let an institution, hold you back. You are a grown woman with her own mind. Maybe a new gig across the country is what the doctor ordered. Go kick some butt!

If you leave on a good note you can always go back.

In the end, you should do what you feel is best for you. I have little doubt that if this mega hospital decided they were better off with someone other than you to fill the position, they would have little qualms about letting you go. It's an unfair system at times, no doubt, but the one constant you can keep is to take care of yourself first. If you want to go to the smaller company, and you feel it would suit your needs and requirements better, then go for it! Who knows, maybe the reason mega hospital is buying up all these other companies is because they're hoping to get purchased by an even bigger fish.I am reminded of a quote from a friend. She told me, life is like juggling a bunch of baseballs. You try really hard not to let any of them drop, family, sanity, friends, social life...but one of the balls is a tennis ball. That's work. You can drop it and eventually it will bounce back.

Quote from ijuanabhappyi'm kind of in the same boat you are but decided to take the plunge for the smaller company. it was closer, better hours, and better pay. i'm really stressed out though because the hospital is saying i am not eligible for rehire because i did not give sufficient notice. well my situation was a little different. i, too, have tried floor nursing and it is just not for me. i was in one internship and not succeeding, so i was given an opportunity to start another internship in june. well, i am in between jobs. the new internship has not started yet. i was offered a better opportunity and decided to turn down the internship. now they are saying i am not eligible for rehire. if i gave two weeks notice, where would i have worked for two weeks when the internship has not even began?

Quote from kitty hawkthanks it's just that this company i work for leads you to believe if you ever leave do not plan on trying to return to them. i agree that it would be nice if i could be re hired if need be, but this system is all about transferring around within their system. i get the impression that they feel if you want to work as an rn in any capacity they pretty much have a job to cover that. i do know of a couple of people that left on decent terms just were burned out from the hospital now they're having a hard time getting back and this hospital doesn't do anything much on referral it's an online process that can take awhile from what i've heard.

Go for it, check 'em out and if they are OK, then go for it. There is much more opportunity outside of nursing. You will see (forget if you came from a corporate background or not). None of this slave stuff goes on. I think you will thrive.

Quote from onacleardayGo for it, check 'em out and if they are OK, then go for it. There is much more opportunity outside of nursing. You will see (forget if you came from a corporate background or not). None of this slave stuff goes on. I think you will thrive.