Do I need to change locations for a better job?

[Bbang]

Wondering if I need to move to a different location. My ultimate goal in nursing is being able to recover fresh heart and lung transplants postop and to be ECMO certified.

I currently work on a kidney transplant and vascular surgery floor. We get a lot of carotid endarterectomies, AAA repairs, fem pop. bypass,  etc and kidney transplant.

I always knew I wanted to transition to critical care. In November I got accepted to the transition program for my hospital's CVICU transition program, but I was surprised to learn that the transition program is a year long. So I still work on my current floor and one shift every month I work in CVICU until 1 year has passed, then a 3mth orientation to CVICU. After talking to other people in the program, I'm quickly realizing this transition program is less to help us "transition" to critical care and more about staffing retention on our current floor. Prior to this transition program, apparently my floor was critically understaffed and they created this program to assist with staffing. 

I'm starting to realize this might not be the most beneficial for me in the long run. Our CVICU is pretty critical care, but the hospital just began an ECMO program and we only do kidney transplants at the moment. With my long term goals, should I just look into moving to a different area and applying to CVICU elsewhere? I'm conflicted because I already have a guaranteed position to my CVICU in November, but I would like to go ahead and begin working critical care. 

[kp2016]

First off check the wording of the "transition program" agreement that you signed and make sure you didn't agree to some sort of time commitment in exchange for this "program".....then

This is the worst "program" I have heard of to date. This is a great benefit to your current unit and really no benefit to you at all other than to get you to agree to work a year longer on a unit you want to move on from.

I also can't help but wonder how long it will take them to transition you over to CVICU after you have completed your 12 months in November. I can't imagine they are holding a position open for you for 12 months. What happens in November if they don't have an open line, do you go on a waiting list?

You also mentioned that working with heart/ lung transplants and Echmo patients is your goal that this CVICU only just began Echmo and doesn't currently do these transplants. I would say this isn't a great place to learn something as highly skilled as Echmo until it's something they routinely do. I would also say just because they "plan" to start doing these transplants doesn't mean they will anytime soon. I have seen several hospitals have big plans to do XYZ and for various reasons it either didn't happen or took years to happen, too bad for the skilled staff they had already recruited to head up these units that didn't happen.

If I were you I would take a careful look at what you have already agreed to and the resignation policy to make sure you don't end up on the not for rehire list, then start looking for a unit that is more in keeping with your goals. It wouldn't hurt to apply to some units and see if they would be willing to hire and train you, if not you could use the CVICU job as a way of building your skills to increasing your chances of being hired into a more critical unit.