Asked to go to PCU unit

amoLucia · Jan 19, 2018

There have been other postings here from nurses much in the same position as you. The general advice from respondents was that you (and they) take the recommendation and transfer to the PCU unit.

You really don't have any leverage to bring to the table with which to use in your cause. Your employer has offered you an option. I don't see any other reasonable ones open for you.

If you're in one of those at-will states, you could just be terminated without cause. Or you could be terminated for competency issues. Or you could be asked to 'resign' voluntarily.

How were your orientation phase evaluations? That would have been the best time to have addressed your progress. But you're now beyond that. Unless you have union representation ...

There is a remote possibility that you could ask for SPECIFIC details where you need improvement and work out a Correction Performance Plan with goals and deadlines. But your manager COULD have already done that to start that infamous 'paper trail'. And you would definitely know your time there was truly limited.

For whatever the reasons, your manager is NOT interested in keeping you on the unit. You'd be a walking target otherwise.

Accept the transfer but work on some improvement techniques.

Good luck.

Flrn_2017 · Jan 19, 2018

I did not have any evaluation except the last day of orientation and even then there was only vague comments about being part of The team. I asked my preceptor what wAs specific to me and she said that all of his comments where things that he tells everyone. I have a couple interviews set up with the PCU and with the ED. During my original picking the ED was my second choice. I ultimately would like to transfer to the icu after a year or two again but maybe another unit close by at the same hospital system.

RachelP_CRNA2B, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2018

Something isn't sitting well with me about a new grad being tripled straight out of the gate, but I also don't know your unit's acuity and that's besides the point.

In my opinion, you have two options, with one being ICU and the other being not. Whether you choose to stay in THAT unit, which doesn't sound like an environment conducive to learning and facilitation of a new grad, is multifactorial: do you have a contract; do you have the desire; is this even an option in your manager's opinion. Critical care isn't an easy environment for new grads to be in. I think the support and structure of an actual well-developed, legitimate critical care program for new grads is essential to success. If it were me, I would seek my critical care training elsewhere if I were truly passionate about being in an ICU. If I wasn't sure what specialty I wanted to pursue, I might accept the PCU offer or try to get into a new grad rotation program just to explore more options while still developing my fundamental nursing skills. But from personal experience my best advice is if you are set on being an ICU nurse and it's something you're passionate about, keep on knocking until that right door opens. It might not be right away, but it will happen with patience and persistence! Best of luck!

Dakeirus · Feb 9, 2018

Don't feel bad. We've had new grad in our ICU do orientation for 9 months. As alarming as that sounds, it really isn't a bad thing. But my manager had the budget to spend and the nurse has been working in our unit for 5 years. I, myself, had to be on orientation for almost 4 months coming from the floor. As a new grad, you not only need to learn the basic nursing care/skills typically learned on the floor--you also need to learn critical care and how to manage your patients. That can be very overwhelming.

Take the PCU position. Learn everything you can in 1-2 years and apply again.