Changing departments

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 17, 2018

Hey everyone, I'm a RPN and have been working over a year in LTC casually and less 1 year on a Neurology Unit working FT. Working on neuro is stressful, fast pace, and always busy. I don't know about neuro units in other hospitals, but we are that unit which takes everyone and the patients other units decline. I love nursing, and being on a neurology unit I have learned a lot! I find I have a passion for mental health and addiction. A lot of my patients happened to be in withdrawal, OD, or off their psych meds and I became more than interested in helping them and understanding their mental, physical, emotional state.
Recently I have applied to a mental health position within the hospital I work at, I informed my manager so she wouldn't be surprised about the potential transfer. I do feel uneasy about the possibility of starting in a new department, but also excited.
My question is, has anyone else had this "uneasy, not sure" feeling when attempting to switch units? Is it a good idea for me to switch units, even though I am not completely happy in my current department. What are some of your experiences when changing departments or specialty?

It takes about a year to be completely comfortable in a new department or specialty, and I'm wondering if you've given your current unit enough time. This will be your third job in less than two years, and that always gives me pause. There is no perfect job, and the grass isn't always greener.

For the record, I've switched departments in the same hospital only once in forty years, and I knew for sure I was doing the right thing. Nevertheless, I felt a bit nervous about making the switch. It turned out, for many reasons, to have been the right move.

NikethaR · Dec 7, 2018

I did not look at it as a 3rd job in 2 years, I completely understand and agree with your statement.

The reason why I want to leave the unit is because of the environment. There is a lot of gossip, negativity, lack of support from my resource nurse and management. I should be able to approach my resource nurse with concerns without anticipating her spreading our private conversation to others. I have seen this many times with staff. I have learnt a lot while being on this unit, and love it. I just find the overall environment is bringing me down. I'll take your advice and stick it out and give sufficiant time before thinking about making a move.

Wow, 40 years of nursing. I can only imagine all you have seen and learned. Were you ever worried that you will become too comfortable on a unit, that you find it hard to switch mtor another unit? If you dont mind me asking, how long were you on your previous unit before switching?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 7, 2018

Wow, 40 years of nursing. I can only imagine all you have seen and learned. Were you ever worried that you will become too comfortable on a unit, that you find it hard to switch mtor another unit? If you dont mind me asking, how long were you on your previous unit before switching?

I've stayed at my last two jobs for 14 years each. It was a major switch from the west coast to a new job on the east coast, but it turns out I loved that job even more. I never got bored because I was always learning and growing. When ventricular assist devices became a thing, most of the staff (me included) were afraid to go near them. So, I read and studied and became the ICU expert on VADs. Same with balloon pumps back in the early 1980s. I wrote the first policies and procedures for VADs, designed a class for the rest of the staff and an annual update. I taught VADs, ECMO, dialysis, pacemakers, balloon pumps, defibrillators, monitors, charge, and was one of the first ICU instructors for a brand new CNA certification class. I precepted new grads, wrote articles for publication and chaired various committees at the ICU and department of surgery levels, and for central education. I taught ACLS, including a class for fourth year medical students and for new staff (including physicians.) If you're interested, there is always something new coming down the pike that you can learn about and then teach your colleagues.