Does This Sound Right To You?

[All4NursingRN]

So around mid Febuary I was looking through my employers job listings. I noticed a opening for the cath lab (posted Jan 30). Wanting to get into a job that's alittle more calm (currently work in a hectic ER) I applied. I knew I had a good chance of transfering because I fit all of the requirments. I email this person about a day or two after I saw the opening, no response, so I call about 3 times over the course of a week (no response , so I leave a message the third time I called). A little over a week later I get a call from the hiring manager. I had worked the night before and I woke up to answer the call.

The person asks me about my experience etc.. etc.. Then she asks if I had any recent disciplines in the last year because if I did I wouldn't be able to transfer. I (being honest) say yes I have one (I was given a ''verbal warning'' because I ommitted drawing one lab, although I had drew the others) So then she says ok I will look at your file.

*mind you each write up only stays in your file for 6 months, that write up is due to come out next month*

It's been two weeks, no response. Now I would expect this if I was an external candidate, but I'm an internal candidate. A. It seems a bit ridiculous to me that one write up in 12 months is all it takes for you to be denied a transfer B. Do you even draw labs in the cath lab? C. She said she would look at my file, so why is is taking 2 weeks for her to get back to me?

I'm thinking of asking my union rep if this is the policy, because something about this doesn't seem right? One discipline and you won't be able to transfer? That's like saying only perfect people qualify for this job?

What's going on here?

[NoviceRN10]

Where I work you cannot transfer to a new position if you have had any write-ups in the past 6 months.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

yes, you may draw labs in the cath lab.

it is definitely not necessarily less "hectic" than an er-- remember when you were in er and they sent someone with chest pain over for a stat cath? what do you think was going on over there? and stat ptcas for ongoing infarcts? it's not six rooms full of abd pain and snf admits for dehydration and urosepsis, but it can be plenty, plenty busy.

the delay in response may be due to other factors, but if you have put in your request in writing you should get an answer eventually.

why not go on over to the cath lab and speak to the hiring manager in person? no chip on shoulder about delays or non responsiveness, just, "i'm just checking in to see about my application to transfer. can you tell me when i might hear?"

[All4NursingRN]

well anything less than getting my usual 12-14 patients, including critical patients where I work now is less hectic. Yeah.

[All4NursingRN]

No write ups in the past 6 months sounds more reasonable to me, but this is no write ups in the past year, and I've only been there for alittle over a year. lol

[All4NursingRN]

Yes I submitted my request as they said to. I tried looking for her office I couldn't find it, no exscuse I know I will hunt for it again. That unit is like a maze.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Working for union facilities in the past, you need to go to your union rep. You also need to look at your contract to see Wat it says about internal transfer and disciplinary actions active on your record.

Having worked cath lab you draw labs all the time, especially outpatients that don't have UTD clots on hold, current drug levels or coags, that are necessary to proceed with the catch. You also handle blood when you are looking for shunts., ASD/VSD, from the right and left side of the heart checking for PO2 levels.

Your options are clearly laid out in your contract and I would notify your rep incase they are stalling to hire from outside the facility.

Good luck! The call in cath lab killed me but it's a great job!

[All4NursingRN]

Thanks!

[All4NursingRN]

oh btw I know this must vary from place to place but how long do they have to wait before looking externally?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

In my experience, cath lab positions usually go to those with years (plural) of ER, ICU or other cardiac experience.

Just because a job is posted does not mean that it is the highest priority of the hiring manager or HR to get that position filled -- it's just one more item on the plate.

Whether or not it is the policy of the hospital to look for internal candidates before opening up the position to external candidates is entirely up to them. I've worked in a hospital where there was no internal search period -- internal and external candidates were in the same pool with no preference given.

Good luck to you.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

and sometimes they have somebody in mind already, perhaps the one who was second choice the last time they had a vacancy, and they have to post it anyway. you may never know.

[Patti_RN]

In places I've worked, transfers are not guaranteed. You're applying for a position, just like a new hire is applying for a position. The cath lab may be waiting to find someone with more experience, or they may be concerned about your recent write-up, or they may not think you would be a good fit for the department for some other reason (and as long as that isn't because of race, gender, religion, national origin, etc.) they are well within their rights to do so.

Would I like to be the new CEO of the hospital. Sure. Am I qualified? Ah, no.... If I requested a transfer, would I get the job? No. Are they within their rights to deny me the job and wait for a more suitable candidate? Absolutely.