HELP!!!!! PANICKING! Career change??

[rn9687, BSN, RN]

A month into orientation and I am facing a career choice. I accepted a position on "Floor A" almost immediately after receiving the offer because I wanted to lock down a position. I have the opportunity to move onto another unit that I want to work in. Would it look bad to move to another department in the same facility so soon? I don't want to waste the floor's time and resources in training me if I don't want to be there but I also don't want to leave a bad impression.

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

The same facility, just changing floors? Yes, a month into orientation you will burn bridges if you change now. Been there, it's not pleasant, and I empathize with you, but it would be a bad move.

What makes you not want to work there? Serious practice-related issues (patient ratio, poor preceptors, etc) or just a distaste for the specialty of the floor?

[rn9687, BSN, RN]

It's more that I don't appreciate the specialty of the floor. It's not my passion. What is an appropriate time of waiting before changing floors/specialties?

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

Would it look bad? Oh yes. Yes it would.

What’s an appropriate time of waiting? Preferably, one year.

Out of curiosity, what’s the difference in specialties?

[rn9687, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, pixierose said:

Would it look bad? Oh yes. Yes it would.

What’s an appropriate time of waiting? Preferably, one year.

Out of curiosity, what’s the difference in specialties?

Med/Surg and ER

[BarrelOfMonkeys, BSN, RN]

I’d look at my facility policy on time in position before recommending a move. You definitely don’t want to burn your bridges.

[rn9687, BSN, RN]

2 minutes ago, BarrelOfMonkeys said:

I’d look at my facility policy on time in position before recommending a move. You definitely don’t want to burn your bridges.

I don't think we have a facility policy on time in position before recommending a move. I'm sure it's around 1 year at least but IT IS within the same hospital.

[Swellz]

I'd be surprised if their wasn't a policy. Every hospital I've worked at it was 6 months to a year in a position before you could transfer, and you couldn't transfer if you had write ups (tardiness, no call-no show, etc) on your record for a certain period of time beforehand. If you have an employee handbook, look there.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

I have a friend that was hired for one position at a hospital(she stayed in the position past the reccommended time to transfer) but was told it would be temporary. She didn't want to work in one particular area and was promised the option to go to another location as long as she worked where she was in the beginning. The hospital asked her to interview for the job she wants just a little while ago (the nurse saw many new people being hired) but the hiring officials gave the job to an external applicant. She is quitting now and it doesn't make any difference to the hospital. At the hospital internal applicants are suppose to have priority. Keep in mind that sometimes the hospital doesn't honor their transfer policy. lSometimes they will make up dumb reasons to keep you were you are because you would be such a loss if you left the floor or they find someone more qualified as time goes on. Be prepared to possibly be stuck where you are. If you are fresh into the position maybe they would be willing to make an exception now. You could get things changed before you are stuck. You should be in a 90 day evaluation. Just tell the hospital that you like where you are but are more interested in another position. Of course it could go another way but who knows. If you have another opportunity, take it, but make sure it is okay for you to do so.

[Swellz]

2 hours ago, Workitinurfava said:

Keep in mind that sometimes the hospital doesn't honor their transfer policy. lSometimes they will make up dumb reasons to keep you were you are because you would be such a loss if you left the floor or they find someone more qualified as time goes on. Be prepared to possibly be stuck where you are.

This is very true. I worked with nurses who would get write ups for things you wouldn't normally get write ups for, but that kept them from being able to transfer for 6 months. I was a traveler on a floor where nurses had interviewed and been accepted into the ICU, but the manager wouldn't approve them leaving because of staffing issues. So, they were in limbo; they didn't leave because they needed jobs, and the hospital assured them they'd get that ICU job "as soon as staffing improved".

[TriciaJ, RN]

OP, is there a way you could talk to whomever offered you the ER position? Like the ER nurse manager? I would just tell her that ER was your first choice but you accepted the first position offered to be safe. I would tell her how much you want to be in the ER but feel it would be unfair to your current unit to jump ship now and hope down the road when it is more appropriate to transfer you will be considered.

This person may be able to arrange a transfer for you. Or you might learn a lot where you are and transfer in a year or two. Or you might start loving med/surg. Or you might start hearing bad things about the ER and realize you've dodged a bullet. Wishing you all the best.

[JKL33]

When you say you have an opportunity, what does that mean?

For example, does it mean the ED mgr is recruiting you, or that you've noticed they have an open position in the ED and you would like to apply for it?