what is the correct etiquette for transferring units?

[pinkdoves, BSN]

Background info on me:

1) Started nursing at top 3 hospitals in the US on a med/surg-tele adult unit. Culture was toxic and I quit after 3 months

2) Was unemployed for 4 months

3) Started at a top children's hospital in their new grad program (despite having 3 mo experience). I have been on various med-surg units in this hospital due to weird covid-related issues. I have been working as a pediatric med-surg nurse for about 1 1/2 years

4) When I switched from one med-surg unit to the other, it was considered "transferring positions" even though they kind of made me move. I had to sign a contract saying I would be there for 1 year.

5) I hit my "one year" mark of this contract in June. I am now free to transfer

My question is: do I tell my manager I will be applying to a different unit? My manager particularly encourages us to try different specialities and has said to me multiple times he doesn't want me stuck in something I hate. He did tell me I could ask to shadow other units.

What is the best way to go about this? I want to work in the NICU so should I ask him to shadow in the NICU (with him knowing I am unhappy in my current position?) 

OR 

Should I apply to the NICU position and not say anything before he sees? Because technically I am not in a contract anymore and I am free to transfer without approval of my manager?

I'm unsure what the normal or correct protocol is. I have been working in med-surg my entire career and I want to try the ICU. What should I do?

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

It sounds like your manager is open to this situation and might be a good source of information and support. It's unlikely that it will be held against you, you have fulfilled your required time in your unit. You could go either way without a problem, but since he already offered to help you shadow in other units that seems like the best way to go.