Changing to a different department

[Juls83, MSN, NP]

I'm a tele nurse, and I've been doing it for sometime. I feel stuck. How can I transfer to a different department? I would like to work in the ER, but they always seem to want "experience." It's the same as "Pediatrics," where I really want to work. Any advice?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Go introduce yourself to the ER manager and express an interest in the specialty and ask if you can shadow for a couple of shifts (unpaid, on your own time). Use the time shadowing to mesh with the team.

Good luck!

[EDNURSE20, BSN]

Just apply for jobs. You have experience as an RN, just highlight how that experience will help you in the ER. Most jobs want experienced nurses, but often people are flexible as long as your not a new grad or working in a rest home or something like that.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I don't know your where you live, the size/type of the hospital, the job market for nurses in your area, etc. I will say, I had approx. 2 years experience on a stepdown unit, and I applied to and get a job in an ED; no ED experience, no pre-hospital experience. I have a friend who got a job at a fairly well known peds hospital in a specialty unit. She had no peds experience. Again, I don't know your exact situation, but it can be done. I would say to have someone review your resume, and then apply for jobs. At some places you may not get even a call back, but you never know until you actually apply.