Bad idea?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 22, 2013

Ok, so I'm a new grad and been working at my new hospital for 3 months and off orientation for one month. I really want to move to mother-baby. I think the pace would be more my style there. When is a good time to bring this up and who do I talk to? The gen Peds unit I'm on is so fast-paced and has so many services...I don't know if I'll ever get it down.

You're not going to like my answer, but so be it. You work at your current job for a year or more, and THEN you start thinking about moving to a different job if you want. If you cannot keep the pace with your current job after four months, you're not in a position to move into a different specialty. Stay and learn as much as you can, and in a year if you still want to move to mother-baby, then think about it.

Maladroit, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2013

Even within the same hospital? I only ask because there have been 2 new grad transfers into my department recently. It just seemed common to move around after a few months.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 22, 2013

If you move to another unit, that unit will have to train you again. You may work at the same hospital for a year and only a few months of it not on orientation. Do YOU think that's fair to the hospital? To your managers? New grads may get transferred because their old unit didn't feel they were cutting it. That's not a good thing. And while it's great to give them a second chance to succeed, that's exactly what it is. A second chance. Better to stay where you are, learn what you can and repay your unit with some actual work before moving on rather than going the "continuous orientation route."

Maladroit, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2013

I forgot to say, I wasn't sure what I wanted to hear, just advice. I have a great job with very few complaints, honestly. I do know that I eventually want to make the switch to Mother-Baby, when is of no real concern. It did make me think maybe sooner than later would be possible when I noticed new grads were transferring to our unit from Med/Surg. I completely see your point and have no qualms with staying for a year or two before switching. I appreciate your input, thank you!

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

My hospital has a policy that you have to stay in each department at least a year. A year is pretty much standard unless there are extenuating circumstances. I would try to learn as much as possible in your position and think about transferring after you have hit the year mark.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

You really need to check with your HR department....it will vary facility to facility and department to department. Transferring into a specialty unit will have different requirements....usually one year.

nursejami · Sep 23, 2013

Stick it out for the year! You'll feel more confident in yourself as a nurse, which will look great for you when you transfer to the new department. It'll also look better on your resume!

Trust me, you'll get it down! It just takes time! One day you'll wake up and think, "...When did THIS happen?!?" I've been working as a nurse (off orientation) for 6 months so far and I got caught by a realization halfway through my night last night, "I'm really DOING this right now!"

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 23, 2013

I agree with the above posters.

Another thing to consider ... You are right at that point at which "Reality Shock" and "Transition Shock" peak. The happiness about having a job has worn off and you are being expected to carry the load of a full assignment without a preceptor. You have spent a lot of energy learning about your new job ... and trying to "fit in" with the staff ... and you find that it is not the perfect, ideal job you fantisized about. Most new grads feel a bit "down" at this point -- tired and maybe a little overwhelmed. That's normal.

Give it a little longer and you will probably be less overwhelmed. Try to get some rest, eat well, exercise, etc. and take care of yourself. That will help with a lot of things. It will definitely help you get through the next several months to a year. If, after a year, you still want to transfer ... talk to your HR department, Nurse Recruiter, etc. if and when you see an available position you wish to apply for. Don't start the process by talking with your peds Manager. That could set up a bad dynamic between the 2 of you.

As others have said ... New grads transfering soon after hire is usually a sign that things "weren't working out" and the hospital is being nice to them by giving them a 2nd chance on another unit.

nursesunrise · Sep 23, 2013

I'm a new grad working in mother baby and I wanted to point out that if your reason for moving is "pace" you may be surprised by the reality. Six patients is the minimum on my floor. Many times we have 8-9. Last shift I had three babies on glucose protocol and two moms getting blood transfusions, plus gour new admissions. We don't have a unit secretary, dedicated charge nurse or pca. I did a two month preceptorship on med/surg before graduation. The "pace" wasn't nearly as hectic as what I deal with on a daily basis.