A manager that blocks!

puggy232 · Jul 13, 2008

Unfortunately alot of managers on med/surg units use this tactic to keep their turn over down, I would definitely keep plans to transfer to myself, as for the interview just verbalize that yoou are looking to work in a challenging field such as the OR, and talk about what you liked during any OR rotations you had-definitely DO NOT bad mouth your manager, just state you appreciate the opportunity to work and learn on his/her floor but feel it is time to move on to new challenges.

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2008

I must agree, when asked about why you are leaving tele just say you feel that you feel you have taken what you can from it and it is time to move on to something more challenging where your nursing skills will be sharpened.

Be on your guard though because it is during this time that your manager might try to block your transfer by writting you up for something petty.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2008

I was in a situation similar a few months ago. I would encourage you first and foremost to see what your facility's policys are concerning internal transfers. My facilty's policy stated that after you had held your position for one year, you were allowed to transfer, and your manager was only allowed to hold you for one month.

As far as how to answer the "why are you leaving your current job" question, I think I just said I wanted experience in a different area. Didn't have to get into the whole short staffing, over-worked, poor conditions that way.

Good luck with your transfer!

ERNurse752, RN · Jul 13, 2008

Ditto looking up your hospital's internal transfer policy.

Try to keep your reasons positive, rather than focusing on the negative. "I have always wanted to be an OR nurse," vs. "I hate my job, please make it stooooooop!!!"

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 13, 2008

I must agree, when asked about why you are leaving tele just say you feel that you feel you have taken what you can from it and it is time to move on to something more challenging where your nursing skills will be sharpened.
Be on your guard though because it is during this time that your manager might try to block your transfer by writting you up for something petty.

I totally disagree with that approach. Being young and probably not experienced in hiring people, you may not realize how bad that sounds to someone looking to hire someone. It sounds like, "I'm only interested in taking what I can from job -- and once I have gotten what I want, I will leave." The orientation to any department -- but particularly to a specialty like OR -- is long and expensive. Managers are looking to hire someone who will NOT leave once they have mastered the skills of the job. When you interview for a job, you want to appear to be "someone who stays" rather than "someone who leaves once they've taken the training."

Orientation costs are enormous and most Managers would rather leave a position vacant than hire someone who leaves soon after orientation is over. Such people suck out all the resources that the unit has to offer, but don't "pay it back" by actually working on their own for a while. It business terms, they are "bad investments." The last thing you want to do on a job interview is to give the impression that you are the type of person likely to do that.

mpccrn, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2008

ditto on the checking of hospital policy. usually it's something like 6 months to a year before a transfer is even allowed. i'd stress the positives of the job you have now and your hopes for the job should you get it. enthusiasm, positive energy and work record will all speak highly for you. good luck! :nurse: