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

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Feb 25, 2019

Several great points.

I just want to add that many hospitals have a probation period for the first 90-120 days where you can be fired at a moment's notice with no explanation necessary. If you even hint at the idea you might want to accept the other position, your manager could take it the wrong way and you might find yourself out of a job. If it were at a different hospital I'd say you could consider it (assuming you'd be fine to never work at the current hospital again), but in the same system I think you're out of luck.

I'd also note that some managers see the 'one year rule' of leaving a job as one year after completing orientation, not one year after starting the job. Following the advice I'd read on AllNurses, I put in my notice almost exactly a year after I started as a new grad; my manager made it abundantly, painfully clear she was not pleased that I was leaving less than a year after completing my extensive orientation. Live and learn.

Career Columnist / Author · Feb 25, 2019

The best thing you can do for yourself is stay where you are for 1 year. There is so much to learn, and you will not lack for opportunities at the end of of a year.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 25, 2019

I think a lot depends on the details of that ER opportunity. Have you actually been offered a job there? Or do you just see an opening that you would like to apply for?

At my hospital, we would rather you transfer at one month rather than consume our resources for for several months as you go through orientation -- and then leave as soon as you can. We really hate it when people leave soon after orientation, having wasted our resources. If you know you don't want to work there long term, leaving before you consume our resources is a good thing, not a bad thing.

If you have actually been offered a job in the ER and the ER manager knows that you have just started on another unit, talk to her and ask for her help in handling the politics. If you really don't have a job offer and just see an open position that you would like to apply for ... don't pursue it. "Stay in your lane" for a while and develop a good reputation as a med/surg nurse before actively seeking another position.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Feb 25, 2019

Be careful what you with for: "passion" can quickly become a colossal mistake. I gather you are a new grad so don't really have any idea what working in a ER is like as an employee. No time spend in med surg is ever wasted. This is where you develop your chops and talents to work in a specialty.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2019

There are hospitals everywhere looking for medsurg nurses. The hospital would still probably take you if you told them the situation. You are fortunate to be able to start out in the ER if you can. Good luck with whatever you do.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 25, 2019

On 2/21/2019 at 5:14 PM, rn9687 said:
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.

Transferring a month into orientation -- it it's even possible -- will leave a very bad impression. Keep the job you're in, learn as much as possible, and in a year or two you'll be able to transfer into the job of your choice as a competent, experienced RN.

rn9687, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2019

On 2/24/2019 at 8:10 PM, TriciaJ said:
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.

I really like this option! This is more what I am leaning towards now. To keep any bridges from burning.

rn9687, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2019

On 2/25/2019 at 12:43 AM, JKL33 said:
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?

I have a friend in the ED and they asked one of their ED leaders if it would be possible for me to transfer to the ED. The ED said they are always hiring and they would be excited to interview me to transfer to the ED. According to hospital policy, I would either be able to transfer in a minimum of 6 months or ASAP (the latter is very unlikely).

rn9687, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2019

On 2/25/2019 at 2:33 PM, llg said:
I think a lot depends on the details of that ER opportunity. Have you actually been offered a job there? Or do you just see an opening that you would like to apply for?
At my hospital, we would rather you transfer at one month rather than consume our resources for for several months as you go through orientation -- and then leave as soon as you can. We really hate it when people leave soon after orientation, having wasted our resources. If you know you don't want to work there long term, leaving before you consume our resources is a good thing, not a bad thing.
If you have actually been offered a job in the ER and the ER manager knows that you have just started on another unit, talk to her and ask for her help in handling the politics. If you really don't have a job offer and just see an open position that you would like to apply for ... don't pursue it. "Stay in your lane" for a while and develop a good reputation as a med/surg nurse before actively seeking another position.

On 2/25/2019 at 1:47 AM, adventure_rn said:
Several great points.
I just want to add that many hospitals have a probation period for the first 90-120 days where you can be fired at a moment's notice with no explanation necessary. If you even hint at the idea you might want to accept the other position, your manager could take it the wrong way and you might find yourself out of a job. If it were at a different hospital I'd say you could consider it (assuming you'd be fine to never work at the current hospital again), but in the same system I think you're out of luck.
I'd also note that some managers see the 'one year rule' of leaving a job as one year after completing orientation, not one year after starting the job. Following the advice I'd read on AllNurses, I put in my notice almost exactly a year after I started as a new grad; my manager made it abundantly, painfully clear she was not pleased that I was leaving less than a year after completing my extensive orientation. Live and learn.

That's terrifying and a very good point. I am leaning towards staying for a year and then transferring internally.

rn9687, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2019

On 2/25/2019 at 2:33 PM, llg said:
I think a lot depends on the details of that ER opportunity. Have you actually been offered a job there? Or do you just see an opening that you would like to apply for?
At my hospital, we would rather you transfer at one month rather than consume our resources for for several months as you go through orientation -- and then leave as soon as you can. We really hate it when people leave soon after orientation, having wasted our resources. If you know you don't want to work there long term, leaving before you consume our resources is a good thing, not a bad thing.
If you have actually been offered a job in the ER and the ER manager knows that you have just started on another unit, talk to her and ask for her help in handling the politics. If you really don't have a job offer and just see an open position that you would like to apply for ... don't pursue it. "Stay in your lane" for a while and develop a good reputation as a med/surg nurse before actively seeking another position.

I haven't been offered a job yet because I haven't interviewed. My position is being mediated through the Nurse Educator in the ED. They said I would either be able to transfer ASAP or after 6 months which is the hospital's policy. The former being very very unlikely. The Nurse educator said they would talk to the Manager. Waiting to hear back. I also don't want to waste the resources of the floor I am currently on and then transfer after 6 months. If it is possible to transfer ASAP, I would hate to think I can be terminated.

I think the best option will be to learn as much as I can for a year and then transfer.

_firely · Apr 5, 2019

In any other in demand career, it is ok if not normal to bounce a month or two in due to another offer. If within the same organization, that company should support it. If in disparate organizations, who cares. They need to work on their package. Corporations will not be loyal to you. Why would you be loyal to them. Look out for yourself, then look out for patients.

_firely · Apr 5, 2019

On 2/26/2019 at 3:42 PM, rn9687 said:
I haven't been offered a job yet because I haven't interviewed. My position is being mediated through the Nurse Educator in the ED. They said I would either be able to transfer ASAP or after 6 months which is the hospital's policy. The former being very very unlikely. The Nurse educator said they would talk to the Manager. Waiting to hear back. I also don't want to waste the resources of the floor I am currently on and then transfer after 6 months. If it is possible to transfer ASAP, I would hate to think I can be terminated.
I think the best option will be to learn as much as I can for a year and then transfer.

Definitely chase specialties. Med Surg is a lot of running around and chasing call lights. Nobody loves that. But Med Surg interacts with so much more and does more broadly than any unit. The call light chasing is bad, but the knowledge gain is worth a year. Pay is generally the same. If you are serious about nursing, why not try to do every unit?