How should I approach a request to transfer?

Nurses Professionalism

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I started in my current unit after picking up extra shifts there. They were very short handed at the time. I loved coming to work there and decided to transfer.

It's been almost a year now and I while I love where I am at, I would like to transfer into ICU That has always been a goal of mine.

My unit is still short handed and has never been fully staffed as it continues to grown with our hospital doubling in size. I want to ask for a transfer but I worried that it will result in hard feelings.

Queen Tiye, RN

238 Posts

You have the right to pursue your career goals and you are not responsible for the plight of an entire unit. Perhaps tell the manager the truth — that you love working on the unit and the many things you’ve learned. However working in the ICU is an important goal that you are ready to undertake.

Hoosier_RN, MSN

3,960 Posts

Specializes in Dialysis.

Go for it and explain that you wish to grow. Any manager would rather you stay with a facility that to hold you back and risk losing you altogether

Specializes in geriatric/ surgical nsg.

Hi,

I hope I can get some advise here pertaining to my situation at the nursing home where I'm working as an RN in the rehab unit, I started working there as a CNA for 6-7 months (while reviewing for my exam )then I was able to pass my exam (NCLEX) I'm a registered nurse in my country (Philippines BSN since 2010) and have a license in Saudi Arabia also as I worked there for 2 yrs in the past. I have been working for 6mos in rehab unit but on and off the manager still assign me to work as a CNA in other unit if there's a shortage of staff, being a new staff I am hesitating to say "no", so my question is am I allowed to say "I don't want to work as a CNA because I'm already an RN" and it's not my job description anymore to work as a CNA, I asked other staff and they said they're being called to work or fill-in also in the past, but I was thinking I'm too respectful to my supervisor and manager that I didn't want to say no even if I knew I have the right to say so, I am now looking for other place to work and I can't wait to make a resignation letter because of this. thank you.

kp2016

490 Posts

As you don't hate your current unit I would suggest you wait until you have a solid 12 months on the unit then apply for a transfer.

In the meantime focus on what you can do to make yourself a stronger candidate. ACLS if you don't have it, does your hospital offer any educational courses you could get started on, are there any practice councils or education committees you could volunteer on?

kp2016

490 Posts

2 hours ago, gemivrn said:

Hi,

I hope I can get some advise here pertaining to my situation at the nursing home where I'm working as an RN in the rehab unit, I started working there as a CNA for 6-7 months (while reviewing for my exam )then I was able to pass my exam (NCLEX) I'm a registered nurse in my country (Philippines BSN since 2010) and have a license in Saudi Arabia also as I worked there for 2 yrs in the past. I have been working for 6mos in rehab unit but on and off the manager still assign me to work as a CNA in other unit if there's a shortage of staff, being a new staff I am hesitating to say "no", so my question is am I allowed to say "I don't want to work as a CNA because I'm already an RN" and it's not my job description anymore to work as a CNA, I asked other staff and they said they're being called to work or fill-in also in the past, but I was thinking I'm too respectful to my supervisor and manager that I didn't want to say no even if I knew I have the right to say so, I am now looking for other place to work and I can't wait to make a resignation letter because of this. thank you.

When they pull you to work as a CNA are you being paid as an RN or a CNA? If they are paying you as an RN and other staff are also being pulled in this way I would say you probably need to take your turn.

I would not be willing to work for CNA pay. That is not intended as a slight to CNAs, I've been one, I appreciate they work hard and are a vital part of the team, but after paying for RN school I expect RN pay.

I would also not take more than my "share" of the CNA shifts. I would keep an eye on how they are assigning them, are they rotating through all the RNs. If they aren't I would respectfully tell the manager that as a team player I am willing to do my share, but I am not willing to more CNA shifts than anyone else.

Hoosier_RN, MSN

3,960 Posts

Specializes in Dialysis.

As a nurse, we can do what they do, it's not beneath us. If you're getting RN pay, I'd roll with it!

Specializes in geriatric/ surgical nsg.

Hi, I'm getting an RN rate, but I don't see many RN and Lpn going through the same situation as mine, like the last time I was told I would be assign in other unit (Long term care) as a CNA there was an Lpn working there as a nurse and I have to work alongside with the other CNA lifting 2 assists Residents etc. then these last few days, that I was working in rehab unit since our census are low (due to cancellations of elective surgeries from the hospitals because of Covid-19) the manager pulled our CNA and assigned her in other unit, so me and the other senior nurse were there, the supervisor said we do not need a CNA as we can take care of all the 5 residents, I mean I wanted to do other things, like doctors orders, scheduling and assessments but as always, they expect me to work on the floor answering call bells while passing medications etc. and my senior nurse rarely help at all, it's kind a frustrating sometimes, the reason why I am planning to look for another place/ facility where I can work as a nurse rather than partly nurse and CNA.

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