Advice needed!!

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Specializes in LTC. Hospice, home health, med surge, pediatrics,.

So I finally am getting out of LTC and into med surg in the same hospital. I have waited 2 years for this moment and am thrilled but I don't know how to tell my manager and coworkers. I am scared that they will say why didn't you inform us that you had plans or an interview? And I love a few of my coworkers. I even go out with them on the weekends and I don't want to hurt their feelings but I am a young nurse and not doing myself a favor by staying on LTC any longer. I have been dreaming of this moment and I appreciate every one of them and all the help they have given me. I am feeling sick over this but I have to move up in my career.

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General kindness and treating others well is not to be confused with some need to give them inappropriate power over your personal decisions and life choices.

You have no reason to inform others of your plans for your own life or gain their approval before making a decision.

What you owe them, as a professional, is a standard notice of intent to resign, and being gracious as you exit -- which in my book would include not talking about "moving up" in your career. You can let them know sincerely that you enjoyed working with them and have learned a lot, or whatever is true...you can thank them, etc., etc. And in terms of the hospital, it would be kind to speak of it as something you were interested in exploring and an opportunity came along.

That is all. If you are kind and you are a professional, then any negative reactions would be solely on them.

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Specializes in Surgical, Healthcare for people of Faith, BreastCA.

I agree with JKL33. Professionalism is something you need to remember while working. It is hard not to think of your coworkers as friends. You go through some crazy stuff together and often they are the only ones in your life that understand what being a nurse means. One thing that will help is to have nursing friends you don't work with, so keep those good nursing friends you've made at LTC. Keep going out with them. That way, you'll have a group of friends who will understand and it will make it a little easier to remain professional in your new job. (Not to say don't make friends with your new coworkers.) 

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Specializes in kids.

Agree with not stating a move up. Just a move in a different direction for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Nothing wrong with saying that you are looking to expand your skills by pursuing new challenges. I agree with staying away from talking about "moving up". LTC gave you a job and a paycheck, and you don't want to appear ungrateful.

It wasn't my cup of tea either, but I didn't take shots at them going out the door.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

You don't owe anyone a heads up on your plans, so it was no one's business that you were looking for another job and interviewing.  Now that it's a done deal, you give proper notice to you manager and tell your friends as the opportunity arises.

"I've been keeping my eyes open for med-surg opportunities a while now.  Didn't think I'd find one this quick."  "I've loved working here with everyone.  It's not been an easy decision."  No need to feel guilty or apologize.

Congratulations on your new job.

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

You will find that many, many, many nurses have changed jobs several times in their careers. There was a recent thread on this somewhere here and the range is really astonishing. You can expect to do it again someday. Remember, it’s always great to have a path to follow, but always keep your peripheral vision alert for those interesting, promising detours.

Nobody will give this a second thought, other than to give you perhaps a little cake at lunch. Good luck!

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