cross training

[twinoaks]

I have only been a nurse for 7 years and have been in the ER. I have been trying to get into another field of nursing but I can't seem to get anything other than ER work. What do I have to do to get a hospital to cross train me into another area? I was considering mother baby or a specialty area, GI or even diabetic educator. I wish nursing school would have specialty courses to get you ready/trained for different areas. I went into nursing because everyone said "there are so many things you can do with it" but I have not been experiencing that at all. Any suggestions?

[anon456, BSN, RN]

What area interests you the most? You listed several things. I think you could step into an ICU setting since you see a lot of that in the ED.

Have you applied to any internal positions at your hospital as they come up? Just to see? If you don't get the call or don't get the job offer, ask the manager what he or she was looking for that you didn't have. It's a great way to fine tune your resume or skills for next time.

[RunBabyRN]

What area interests you the most? You listed several things. I think you could step into an ICU setting since you see a lot of that in the ED.

Have you applied to any internal positions at your hospital as they come up? Just to see? If you don't get the call or don't get the job offer, ask the manager what he or she was looking for that you didn't have. It's a great way to fine tune your resume or skills for next time.

Agreed. Apply, apply, apply, and speak to managers as much as you can to get input. If you have interest in a specialty, say, mother baby, what about attending some breastfeeding courses (even lactation specialist, which is far less intensive than lactation consultant), or if you wanted to do L&D, the AWHONN fetal monitoring classes? Diabetes nurse educator, I believe, is a certification as well, but I have no idea what it entails. Do some research, and see what certifications you can get that will help. I worked with a diabetes nurse educator in the Navy, and I know she really liked her job. Lots of nutrition education and really getting to know your patients. :)

[RunBabyRN]

A point I meant to add (sorry, got distracted) is that getting those certifications will show NMs that you are seriously interested. It might help put you above other candidates who also don't have experience in said specialty. :)