How to Approach Manager about Transferring to Another Unit

mrssunday, BSN, RN · May 14, 2021

On 5/7/2021 at 11:48 AM, peachshan said:

I am a new grad employed with a wonderful healthcare organization. I am in a nurse residency program that stipulates that we can transfer to another unit or another hospital within the organization after our first year. I am nearing the end of my first year and even though I have learned so much in my unit (Med-Surg Renal/Urology), I really would like to explore opportunities in another unit specifically Women Services (Mother/Baby, NICU, or L&D). My unit manager is nice but she has already stated to previous nurse residents that she does not like to lose nurses on her unit and does not think it is fair for a nurse to leave her unit after a year. I have even heard that she will block people from leaving. How should I approach her concerning my desire to try another unit without making it seem like I am disrespecting her? Honestly, if I had known her feelings on nurses leaving her unit after a year, I probably would have been a little more hesitant about accepting an offer on this floor.

Hi Peachshan

First of all congratulations on becoming a nurse!

As a new grad, I understand that it is hard to come up to your manager especially when you hear things about them not liking other nurses transferring. I always have this feeling whenever I transfer to different places.

My first question to you is, is it going to be hard for you to stay there for a year? You will learn a lot over in the Med Surg/Urology area and the position for the Women Services would still be there after a year or so.

Second, have you ever tried and talk to her about it? As you have mentioned she is nice. I do not know what her work ethics is but I think if you come up to her and tell her your feelings and concerns this would probably help you decide. Just tell her that you are at a bind because you want to work in the area but wanted to try the Women Services route. I think if you let her know that you want to apply to the other service and don't want to disrespect her by going behind her back would help her understand that you are concern about this situation. You can also tell them that you can help out in the unit if they need help out once you get settled in the other area.

It is always hard to transfer to different care area especially when a manager voices out their negative concerns in transferring issues. Every time I am transferring or applying to different facilities I would let my manager know about this to provide them understanding that I do not want to disrespect them behind their back. You said "you heard they are blocking people from transferring", let your manager know that you do not want to disrespect them by getting behind their backs, you have to learn that nursing can be a form of networking with other nurses. Almost anyone can or have worked with someone and its not good to burn bridges with your previous work unit.

If I were you, I would talk to my manager first. See what they would say and go from there. You will never know what he/she is thinking till you tell her your concern to transfer and does not want to disrespect her.

Good Luck and hope this helps!

peachshan, BSN, RN · May 14, 2021

56 minutes ago, mrssunday said:

Hi Peachshan

First of all congratulations on becoming a nurse!

As a new grad, I understand that it is hard to come up to your manager especially when you hear things about them not liking other nurses transferring. I always have this feeling whenever I transfer to different places.

My first question to you is, is it going to be hard for you to stay there for a year? You will learn a lot over in the Med Surg/Urology area and the position for the Women Services would still be there after a year or so.

Second, have you ever tried and talk to her about it? As you have mentioned she is nice. I do not know what her work ethics is but I think if you come up to her and tell her your feelings and concerns this would probably help you decide. Just tell her that you are at a bind because you want to work in the area but wanted to try the Women Services route. I think if you let her know that you want to apply to the other service and don't want to disrespect her by going behind her back would help her understand that you are concern about this situation. You can also tell them that you can help out in the unit if they need help out once you get settled in the other area.

It is always hard to transfer to different care area especially when a manager voices out their negative concerns in transferring issues. Every time I am transferring or applying to different facilities I would let my manager know about this to provide them understanding that I do not want to disrespect them behind their back. You said "you heard they are blocking people from transferring", let your manager know that you do not want to disrespect them by getting behind their backs, you have to learn that nursing can be a form of networking with other nurses. Almost anyone can or have worked with someone and its not good to burn bridges with your previous work unit.

If I were you, I would talk to my manager first. See what they would say and go from there. You will never know what he/she is thinking till you tell her your concern to transfer and does not want to disrespect her.

Good Luck and hope this helps!

Thank you so much mrssunday for your input and thank you for the warm welcome! As someone coming from the teaching field to nursing, I had to remind myself that my first year teaching was a rough one. I pushed through and I taught for 10 years. I had to tell myself that I should make it through this year. I don't think she is intimidating but I will admit my fear is burning bridges. I'm going to try to be a team player and hopefully lessen the blow LOL. I will also use the comments you said when I talk to her. Thank you!

"nursy", RN · May 14, 2021

Basically, honesty and a direct approach always works best. You have "heard" that she has blocked people from transferring, but you don't really have the facts. Transferring involves being accepted by the other unit, that may not always be a given. When delivering the news, use the sandwich approach; start out with a positive (you're a great boss, this was a great opportunity) then the negative (I would like to transfer to another unit) then follow up with a positive (I learned so much from you and really respect your leadership).

peachshan, BSN, RN · May 14, 2021

Thank you "nursy". I like what you said about being direct and honest with her. In the short time that I have worked with her, it seems like she would be more responsive to that approach instead of beating around the bush. I just wanted to make sure that I professionally approach the matter especially starting in my career. I like the healthcare organization and I would hate for me to do something that would cause me to be blackballed.

Covidnursedropout · May 14, 2021

It's really hard if you're a good nurse! If you sucked they would gladly let you transfer. I've tried this myself multiple times in my own career but I have yet to be successful, so I have nothing to offer advice wise.

Covidnursedropout · May 14, 2021

My manager knew I wasn't happy before I said a word to anybody. When I approached her and told her I wanted to transfer, she wasn't surprised. She asked me what units I would want to go to and I told her. She talked to the managers of those units about me, put a good word in, talked to HR. I'm a good nurse, but that's the problem. Their feelings get hurt. Especially if you are one of their best nurses. It reminds me of how an ex acts when you dump them. They pretend like they're okay, and act like they want to you to be happy no matter what, but it's obvious their feelings are hurt. If the manager of the unit you want to transfer to senses that your current manager is upset about you transferring, they will back off from the transfer. "The position is no longer available." Because they don't want to create friction with another manager in the hospital. It's politics and drama. It's too much for me.