I need your opinion.

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I want to get into a different nursing speciality, but I am having a very difficult time getting the nurse managers to take my application seriously. I know the economy stinks right now and that it is a bad time for me to consider doing this, but I am ready for a change.

Here is what I need others opinions on: I am thinking of putting my application in for a unit secretary/tech position on the unit that I would like to work on. I think this would give me a good idea if I would truely like working in this field. I am an experienced RN (2 years a newbie, but not a new grad), but I have no experience in the field that I am considering going into. I think that a lot of unit managers look at that and say no way, but I really want to make a big change.

What do you all think? Will this make to manager take a second look at my application and make them think that I am serious about a change? Will it make them think that I am desperate?

[ajaxgirl]

I want to get into a different nursing speciality, but I am having a very difficult time getting the nurse managers to take my application seriously. I know the economy stinks right now and that it is a bad time for me to consider doing this, but I am ready for a change.

Here is what I need others opinions on: I am thinking of putting my application in for a unit secretary/tech position on the unit that I would like to work on. I think this would give me a good idea if I would truely like working in this field. I am an experienced RN (2 years a newbie, but not a new grad), but I have no experience in the field that I am considering going into. I think that a lot of unit managers look at that and say no way, but I really want to make a big change.

What do you all think? Will this make to manager take a second look at my application and make them think that I am serious about a change? Will it make them think that I am desperate?

I would NOT do that. Keep getting RN experience. Take courses to help you break into that specialty. What specialty is it?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I do not recommend doing anything but nursing. For one thing, as a manager, I would think about having to replace a secretary when you decide you want to move from that position. Better to take you on and train you as RN

[Mulan]

I'm betting that no one would hire an RN as a unit secretary.

[webmansx, ASN, RN]

JB2007, when I read your post I thought, did someone read my mind and write what I was thinking!!!! I'm in the EXACT same position as you. Not a neew grad but fairly new (18 months), desperate for a change in specialty, but because where I work is already kind of a specialty, I don't have the "experience required" to move to this particular unit. Plus , like you said, the economy makes even an internal transfer of jobs hard.

I agree with the other posters have said. Don't do unit secretary, stay and get RN experience. Every day is experience.

What I have been doing is I am coming in on my days off to shadow a nurse or a doc on the unit. That way I can learn what goes on on that floor, and show the manager that I'm willing to go that extra mile....try this.

The manger now knows me very well, the staff know me very well...we'll see what happens