[RNKittyKat]

I got the news today that my transfer request has been approved. I'll be leaving neuro trauma ICU for a general medicine floor. I'm really happy about my decision. The staffing ratio will be 5:1 with a max of 6:1. The unit is unmonitored and is a great opportunity for me to step back and perfect basic skills. This is what I need. I think that there's a lot of pressure we new grads put on ourselves to go right into the fire of critical care right out of NS. Granted, some do quite well. I am not one of them. Was it a mistake? Maybe not. I did learn quite a lot about nursing and about myself.

I see this as a positive move though I know I'll be placed in the position of having to defend my decision to my fellow ICU nurses. It will be considered the consequence of failure. This is the dillema I'll be faced with until I actually depart next month. There will be whispers and gossip. I'm not looking forward to it. I don't feel like I've failed. I just feel like I learned that ICU is not for me.

[RNKay31]

Girl I am happy for you, wishing you the very best

[GeminiTwinRN]

I agree! Wishing you the best as you make your move onto a med/surg floor. It sounds like at least the ratio is doable where you're going. Good luck and keep your head held HIGH!

Do yourself proud. That's all that matters.

[nrsang97]

Good luck with your move to the Med Surg floor. I always recommend that new grads start out on a med surg unit. You can really perfect your assessment skills.

[DolphinRN84]

Best wishes! Hopefully you do well on a med/surg unit. All the best!

[muffie]

hold your head up high
failure-oh no no no
you are wise
only you know what is good for you
good luck to you

[octopus]

Crazy how much we care what others think of us. Crazy what we consider to be a failure!

Sounds like you aren't a failure, but you've been successful at identifying who you are, what you like and doing something about it!

You go girl.

[hica19]

I did pretty much the same thing. Out of nursing school, I first accepted a job offer to work in acute pediatrics. I knew from the start the kids were really really sick (if they were to go to any other hospital, they would be put in PICU), but I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn. 4 weeks after starting the job, I came to realize the position was just too overwhelming for me, so I put in a request to transfer to an adult med/surg unit of the hospital. Found this new position is working much better for me. Still enough to give me a lot of challenges, but I did not feel as overwhelmed as I was in pediatrics. Like what many people have said, sometimes you don't know what fits you unless you give it a try. If it doesn't work out, it's no biggy, just find another area to work in. You are no where near a failure.