How easy is it to change departments?

[moonbunnie]

I was just wondering how easy it is for a nurse to go from one area to another totally unrelated area. I know when you first graduate, you should get a nice orientation to the unit, but what if I was working in something like labor and delivery, and then later decided I wanted to work in ICU, or anything totally different like that. Would the new unit give you the same kind of orientation they would give a new grad? I am just not sure which area I want to work in, because a lot of them seem interesting to me, but I wouldnt want to feel like a complete moron if I went to a new area and didnt know anything.

[live4today, RN]

It is possible to orient in one area of nursing, work that area of nursing for a time, then desire a change to something totally different. If you switch areas that are totally unrelated to each other, a "good hospital" will provide you with a very good orientation. :)

[suzanne4, RN]

Most facilities require that you stay in one place at least for a certain amount of time before they will permit you to transfer. Just check out what their policies are..........and yes, you should get an orientation, it may not be quite as in depth as a new grad, since certain things are the same, but you should get a full orientation to that area. :)