Applying for new position - Worried about work history

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I started off as a new grad on a med surg unit and stayed for 1.5 years. During my experience there I was part of our practice council, various committees in the hospital, and even won my first nursing award.

After my med surg experience, I transferred to the OB unit. I thought OB would be my dream job and it turns out that I feel like it just isn't the right fit for me. I am unhappy with management. I don't fit in with my coworkers and I feel like I'm just not cut out for L&D. I have been on the unit for 6 months now and have reached out to HR.

I applied to PTU and GI lab (which I have some part-time experience in prior to getting hired as a full-time RN post graduation).

I have applied to other positions, but my fear is that 6 months would make my interviewers worry about hiring me. What is something acceptable to say?

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Dear Worried,

Your work history is better than you realize. Even though you have been in OB only six months, you were on Med Surg before that for a year and a half. The six month stay in OB is a one-off, and not a pattern.

You can't always know what specialty you are going to like until you have experienced it, and nurse managers understand that.

First of all, know that the GI (or PTU) manager will talk to the Med Surg and the OB managers to get their feedback on you. That's what will count more than anything.

If you land an interview in GI or PTU, that's a good sign, and your previous managers most likely gave good feedback on you.

Now for the question you are worried about.

A legitimate interview question may be How do we know you'll stay here more than 6 months?"

You could reply something like this: I can see why you'd be concerned about that. I had always dreamed of working L&D, but I soon realized that it wasn't a good fit. I am looking for a unit such as GI where the staff works together closely.”

Also, since the management in OB was problematic for you, be sure and talk to some nurses in GI or other areas you are applying for, to see if the management is a good fit for you. Any tips from nurses who have been in this situation?

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth