How soon is too soon to quit a new nursing job!

1. Hey everyone ! I just switched from labor and delivery to critical care and I realize I made a mistake. I am so unhappy in critical care and this experience just made me realize I am happy as a labor and delivery nurse. I have been a nurse for 7 years and had been doing labor and delivery for 4 years up until this latest idea I had to switch to critical care.
   
   My problem is I just got off my critical care orientation and I have only been working at this facility for a little over three months! I am just wondering how soon is too soon to try to switch to the labor and delivery unit at this new hospital. I know I intend to leave it's just a question of when. I used to love coming to work when I was working labor and delivery and now I dread every shift!
   
   Please advise!! Should I go speak to there director or just wait it out miserable until some unclear amount of time that's "acceptable" before leaving?

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2. Poll: Do I stay or go?

   • Leave asap, life is too short

     42.11% 8

   • Ride it out a bit longer

     57.89% 11

   19 Votes
3. 

   About Nurse4evervdw

   Joined: May '18; Posts: 2

   13 Comments

   Comment

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4. 
   May 19

   The transfer policy is usually set by the facility and can be found in the employee handbook- have you checked there? Most places have a rule of thumb of one year, but no transfer is guaranteed.
5. 
   May 19

   Thank you! Great advice!
6. 
   May 19

   Transfer, quit.. whatever. They don't own you. You have many adventures ahead.
   
   Best wishes.
7. 
   May 19

   what made you decide to a) switch to critical care and b) switch hospitals?
8. 
   May 19

   Quote from NurseCard

   what made you decide to a) switch to critical care and b) switch hospitals?

   That's what I want to know. Are you working towards some greater goal, or was it just a whim? If there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it might be worth sticking around. If not, get out now.
9. 
   May 19

   Most likely the hospital won't allow an internal transfer until you've worked there for a specified period of time so, if you want to stay with your current employer, you're bound by their rules. If you want to leave the employer, apply for L&D jobs and then, once you've been offered one, tell your current manager that you've realized critical care ins't for you and you'll be returning to L&D. This short of an employment on your resume will be easy to explain in the future- "I thought I wanted a change from L&D but after a few months in critical care, I realized L&D/maternity/women's health is where I'm meant to be."
10. 
    May 19

    Were there bigger issues that influenced your decision to leave L&D and your previous employer? If you left on good terms, and were given the option of an open door, generally going back to a previous job is seen as more positive on a resume or interview.
    
    In fact, my employer requires nurses to stay on a unit 18 months before transferring *UNLESS* the employee wants to transfer back to a previous unit they've worked on. After all, hind-sight sometimes really is 20-20.
11. 
    May 19

    I didn't answer the poll because it's important to know if you are running toward something or running away from something. Good luck
12. 
    May 19

    Critical care also takes at least 6 months to feel kind of comfortable with what you are doing, and I don't think you ever feel 100% certain because the latest practices are always changing. Depending why you dislike it, I would wait another few months until you are more comfortable and decide from there
13. 
    May 20

    You're in a new environment and a new specialty. It's normal to feel like a fish out of water. Give it at least six months and then see now you feel. A year would be better. It takes about a year to feel comfortable in a new job.
14. 
    May 20

    When I was in a similar situation HR told me that they required a one year commitment to the specialty before they'd consider a transfer to a different specialty. They wouldn't accept 6 months.
15. 
    May 20

    I'd give it at least 6 months. By then, you'll probably have adjusted to the drastic specialty change you just took upon yourself. Look at it this way: jumping from L&D to critical care...well, you're kind of like a new grad again.
    
    If you still truly miserable after 6 months, then start the job search. Don't quit this job before lining up the next one.
    
    In the meantime, I would consider picking up a per-diem L&D gig. A few shifts each month will help keep your L&D skills current and be a potential in towards the next job, should you decide to leave critical care.

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