Okay, I am laying out my situation because I don't know what to do about it anymore or where to turn. Sorry if this gets long. I have been working on the same med-surg unit for over 5 years. My goal has always been to work in ICU. Last November marked my 18th yr as a LPN, most of my experience with the exception of about 3 years has been in acute care. I also have had the opportunity to work as a float nurse in a very large facility and often floated to post-ICU and the ICU unit. I had gone back to school and now have my ADN. I have been working in the same MS unit as a RN for a year. Currently there is a position open in the ICU in the facility I work in, and I am torn.
My manager is also the manager of the ICU, there are 2 others under her. I want to apply for this job but have been shot down by said manager and then myself. The floor I work on is rough, I don't expect ICU to be any less rough, but it has the nursing that I want to do. I have approached said main manager about applying, but she feels I really need more time. How much time is this? Reason I ask is because while I have only been a RN for a year, I know that there are ICUs out there that hire new grads, in fact, this ICU has in the past. So, do I need to be persuing elsewhere? :confused:Another reason I question things is because I work every weekend, the MS unit is severely understaffed, mismanaged, I have had 4 sick days in the past over 5 years, excellent evaluations, show up on time etc. So sometimes I feel like maybe I am just being kept where I am (if you know what I mean) as the ace in the hole. There have been many new changes in the MS unit, it is better than what it had been when I first started, but there are still major issues.
So I don't know what to do. One day I am telling myself that ICU nursing is what I have strived for as a major goal, and the next day, I shoot myself down and say well maybe if I became more involved in the MS floor, became MS certified, I would be okay with that. When I try to get more involved in making improvement I get told about what wonderful ideas I have and thanks for supporting in making things work, but then there is nothing more said or done or someone else gets the opportunity because they are better at kissing you know what than I am. I am out for the pt, not a whole lot of hinny kissing. But maybe I should become better at it.
I don't know if anyone knows what I am trying to say. If anyone does, I would more than appreciate your input. I am tired of telling myself that I am maybe not good enough to be in ICU when deep down I know I can do whatever I set out to do and do it well.
Thank you Indy. You hit the nail on the head. The MS unit that I currently work on has a very, VERY difficult time retaining nurses. So there is one big tip-off there. And as far as the interdepartmental transfer, I am prepared for if that would occur. Just had a coworker/friend of mine transfer to ER because that had always been her passion. Well, she didn't get to transfer to her liking, it had to be to our manager's and ER manager's liking, which took over 2 months. I am surprised they didn't make her wait until after August. That is when all the new grads will be off orientation. I have been through the "delayed" transfer myself, so ya, I know what you are saying. There is also the "never knowing why" about not getting the job. I am prepared for that too.
I have a meeting with the #2 ICU manager tomorrow who said she was more than happy to meet with me. We will see what she says. At least I will maybe know where I stand and at least get a little 1:1 time with her to feel her out a bit. I think this will help determine if I am wasting my time. Part of me feels there is a chance, if not now, in the near future and part of me feels I may be elsewhere within the next year. Time will tell.
My experience with the attempt at interdepartmental transfers eventually led me to a different hospital, and fortunately, I like it here and am learning critical care just fine. God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be learning it here for a good long time to come. :-)
Focus on what you really want for your life. If you think ICU is the answer and you can show potential managers either where you are now or in other hospitals that you are the nurse for the job then go for it!
Find out what the requirements for the job are, if you haven't already and make sure you fit. Make sure too that you still want to work for this manager if she will be the boss in ICU too!
This could a time to evaluate your whole life. Where would you live if you could live anywhere? What job would you do if you could do your dream nursing job?
Put these together and start to look for a great future. Your manager's agenda is not the same as yours!
Here is an update to my situation. I went Thurs. to talk to #2 manager. I was simply going to go ask her face to face what it is they are looking for and what kind of things I need to work on in order to work in the ICU. What happened instead was #2 and #3 manager met with me in a conference room and I was what they considered as interviewed. Now I am really confused. They told me to keep them (ICU) in mind, not they will keep me in mind and that #1 manager is in charge of the budget, not the hiring and firing. I asked if I should apply now or later, they said either or. They anticipate that another ICU position will be open by fall. I know I have to currently complete what I am doing now thru the end of July.
I am debating whether or not to apply now or wait, or just figure out something totally different. All I know is it will get back to #1 manager, my current #2 and #3 manager that I was even in talking to anyone, so no matter how I look at it, I can plan on my current position becoming even more of a pure hell. The unit I work on is infamous for that, if anyone dares move on or thinks about moving on, they make sure your butt burns on the way out.
I would apply. If you do not get the position ask the manager to be very honest with you as to why. Do not try to justify all the answers you get. Just listen. Then go somewhere else and make sure they never identify any of those deficiences in you. Good luck!
I would apply. If you do not get the position ask the manager to be very honest with you as to why. Do not try to justify all the answers you get. Just listen. Then go somewhere else and make sure they never identify any of those deficiences in you. Good luck!
I have considered applying and then trying to find out point blank what it is she thinks is my deficiency. She really seems to think it is that I need one more year...if it is because she feels I need more time with hands on technical skills, well then maybe that is it. It is hard to know what to think when I get my evals and they are flawless, so I don't know what the problem is. Another poster early on said something about the manager not being able to see past my LPN time, I think that may be alot of what it is as well as someone who works every weekend on a shorthanded floor, has only had 4 sick days in over 5 years time, and is always on time and has stuck it out in a toxic environment for the past over 5 years. I have been commended on my attention to detail and fighting for pt advocacy and safety. I am really racking my brain to figure out what the problem is. Do they not feel I can learn quickly? Everything I have ever done I have been thrown into. I got 15 days of orientation coming out of RN school, someone must have known about my capabilities or maybe it was just trial and error, she will sink or swim.
It is all very frustrating to want something so bad and be given the stop sign.
Managers have their own agenda. You are a great nurse and a great employee, working in an environment that they know is difficult and hard to cover. Of course they don't want you to go anywhere!
After reading over your posts, I think you should:
Complete the paperwork for a lateral transfer, dated ASAP. Managers (and HR) are all about paperwork. Remind them you have completed the papers and keep a copy for yourself. Put this paper in your new ICU Transfer Folder.
Interview at another hospital (maybe even two) for an ICU position. If you can get a good pay upgrade or bonus offer, better yet. Get it in writing. Put this paperwork in your Transfer Folder. (Make sure one of them is where you would really like to work.)
Now you have ammunition for your move to ICU. Positions have to be posted, so watch closely for the next ICU spot, and if you have friends in ICU, get them to watch for you as well. The managers are all in cahoots, so you will probably have to force their hand if you want to transfer in the near future.
When the position is available (you will know, 'cause you've been watching) go to the managers and tell them you are ready for your transfer. Take the folder, and lay it out. If you have seniority at your facility, pull out that ace as well. Remind them that you are completely aware of your status as a GREAT NURSE, and you KNOW how valuable you are to them and to the hospital. If they fuss, be ready to give your notice. Having a resignation letter in hand to be signed if needed would be helpful, too. (You may even be able to wangle a raise out of the deal, who knows??)
Now be ready for a possible job change to another facility, and be ready to go. But it will be worth it, unless you really love your current medsurg job.
Don't be afraid. You are a wonderful asset to any facility.
Well, another update, been doing some talking to find out what is going on and the conclusion is that I am being poo-poo'd because of a few select folks not being able to see past my LPN experience even though it had been a very wonderful and rich one. I was told, I need to still learn about being in the RN role, which other than some of the hands on skills, I am not exactly buying. Well, this could be their loss.
I have decided to stick it out in MS a little bit longer, in the meantime, I will feel out elsewhere. Thank you to all who have responded, you have all given me encouragement and useful information to use in the future. This is why I come here for the tough stuff that I can't get anyone else to understand.
Sorry if this gets long. I have been working on the same med-surg unit for over 5 years. My goal has always been to work in ICU. Last November marked my 18th yr as a LPN, most of my experience with the exception of about 3 years has been in acute care. I also have had the opportunity to work as a float nurse in a very large facility and often floated to post-ICU and the ICU unit. I had gone back to school and now have my ADN. I have been working in the same MS unit as a RN for a year. Currently there is a position open in the ICU in the facility I work in, and I am torn. 
Beary-nice
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Thank you Indy. You hit the nail on the head. The MS unit that I currently work on has a very, VERY difficult time retaining nurses. So there is one big tip-off there. And as far as the interdepartmental transfer, I am prepared for if that would occur. Just had a coworker/friend of mine transfer to ER because that had always been her passion. Well, she didn't get to transfer to her liking, it had to be to our manager's and ER manager's liking, which took over 2 months. I am surprised they didn't make her wait until after August. That is when all the new grads will be off orientation. I have been through the "delayed" transfer myself, so ya, I know what you are saying. There is also the "never knowing why" about not getting the job. I am prepared for that too.
I have a meeting with the #2 ICU manager tomorrow who said she was more than happy to meet with me. We will see what she says. At least I will maybe know where I stand and at least get a little 1:1 time with her to feel her out a bit. I think this will help determine if I am wasting my time. Part of me feels there is a chance, if not now, in the near future and part of me feels I may be elsewhere within the next year. Time will tell.
Thanks again all!