Exploring other jobs after 6 months

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 9, 2013

FIRST - Check your organization's policy on internal transfer eligibility. Most of the time, these policies will include length of employment as a criteria, along with a requirement to be in "good standing" (absence of disciplinary actions). It's not a good idea to take any actions toward an internal transfer without giving your current manager a heads-up @ why you want to make a move. After all, you do "owe" him/her for taking a chance on you as a new grad and being a great manager to work for!

HeartNursing3 · Sep 9, 2013

We're union and our contract says 6 months. It just changed to 18 months but I barely made it in under the 6 month rule. I've already checked that with HR.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 10, 2013

IMO, I'd try to stick the year out. You are much more marketable with one year (or more) of experience, whereas 6 months leaves you in the new grad black hole: you're still considered a new grad and won't qualify for positions requiring experience, yet you've just rendered yourself ineligible for most new grad programs.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

HeartNursing3 · Sep 10, 2013

I'm in a bit of a unique situation where I'm transferring internally within my hospital. I'll still be enrolled in the same 1 year new graduate residency program (hospital wide). It's not a matter of IF I can get the NICU job at this point. I did speak with the NICU nurse manager and she said she'd love to have me. I just don't want to burn bridges leaving after 6 months on my previous unit, especially since I have enjoyed it.

I just don't want to work with adults and hope to start the PNP or NNP program Fall 2014 so I want to get the ball rolling on getting experience in the type of unit I want my career in.

IMO, I'd try to stick the year out. You are much more marketable with one year (or more) of experience, whereas 6 months leaves you in the new grad black hole: you're still considered a new grad and won't qualify for positions requiring experience, yet you've just rendered yourself ineligible for most new grad programs.
Best of luck whatever you decide!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 10, 2013

Not wanting to work with adults and not being able to handle the stresses of a job working with them are two entirely different animals. You have the rest of your career to get into the NICU, but only a short time to establish yourself as a competent and reliable nurse who can care for diverse populations (even if it's not your first choice). As a hiring manager, I'd rather much rather take a chance on you transferring to my department after you've been with yours for at least a year, especially since you're a new grad. Just my take on things.

amzyRN · Sep 10, 2013

Stick it out 1 year. It will look better on your resume and you might be able to transfer to NICU. Leaving after 6 mos might look kinda flaky. It's never a good idea to burn bridges with any facility. They might be pretty disappointed to lose you after only 6mos. Plus you'll gain a lot of confidence after 1 year.

msn10 · Sep 11, 2013

I agree with Viva,

I would not take on an employee who only worked in an area for 6 months. At least a year, but to be honest, it takes almost 2 years to become a competent RN and when working with tiny babies, I would want someone who was at least 2 years out. It may seem like a lifetime, but your manager put a lot of time and money into training you and she/he would prob give you a much better recommendation after 18 months.

HeartNursing3 · Sep 11, 2013

I guess another concern with my unit is that it is infectious disease. In 6 months, I have been exposed to TB 8 times. Generally people who we waited to rule out until later or the results were not positive until 10 days later. I just found out yesterday I was exposed yet again (discovered while reviewing charts). I'm really rather tired of being put at constant risk of contracting TB.

The NICU nurse manager said she would hire me, but I guess I should turn it down and wait a while. I just hope I don't get TB in the next 6 months :-/

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

We're union and our contract says 6 months. It just changed to 18 months but I barely made it in under the 6 month rule. I've already checked that with HR.

That means you can apply. It doesn't mean that you get the transfer for the asking. Somebody else with more experience is going to be ahead of you in desirability for the NICU manager's eyes.* You're not really a brand-new grad, but you're not really experienced either, sort of a no-man's-land in terms of the ol' resume, internal transfer or not.

Look, I know all the students in nursing school see themselves as a lock for the fast track to NP or CRNA school, but trust me: There are not enough spaces in every program in the country to accommodate all of you who want them. You've been out of school for less than a year and employed barely six months. You are not, sad to say, a very valuable or remotely unique quantity.

You are "learning a TON," learning opportunities are "endless," and the staff around you is "super-supportive." Do you have a clue about what you'd be giving up when you vamoose outta here? There are so few opportunities like this for new grads; they see something in you or they would not have given this plum to you. A little delayed gratification would pay you big dividends in the future.

So you don't want to work with adults and you want to go to NICU. Oh....kay. At this point, though, the very smart money would be on staying exactly where you are, learning several more tons (you are just scratching the surface so far, you know that, right?), and learning more about yourself (yes) in your quest to make yourself more marketable.

*One more point: "Love to have you" isn't worth the paper it's printed on if that manager doesn't have an actual budgeted position that will accept a new grad with so little experience. That may be beyond her control.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

I guess another concern with my unit is that it is infectious disease. In 6 months, I have been exposed to TB 8 times. Generally people who we waited to rule out until later or the results were not positive until 10 days later. I just found out yesterday I was exposed yet again (discovered while reviewing charts). I'm really rather tired of being put at constant risk of contracting TB.
The NICU nurse manager said she would hire me, but I guess I should turn it down and wait a while. I just hope I don't get TB in the next 6 months :-/

Aha, is that it?

So, of course, none of the high-risk babies' parents in the NICU would have TB, especially the drug-user's or HIV babies. And you never ride on public transportation (bus, train, airplane) or breathe in the supermarket or the movie theater. And you don't breathe in the lobby on your way in to work. So your risk of TB is only on this floor. Gotcha. Makes perfect sense, on some level. Of course, not on an evidence-based practice one. :)

iPink, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

If the NICU is being offered to you within the same hospital, then take it. New grads transfer after 6 months to a different unit all the time at my hospital, but you must hit that magical 6 months and be in good standing in your currently unit before requesting a transfer. Good luck!