How long should I stay on a unit I don’t like?

[Elizabeth1414, RN]

I started my career in pediatrics and was cross-trained (got floated to and picked up sometimes) on NICU I loved my job and stayed there for almost three years but then moved to a small town. The hospital I work at now doesn’t have a Peds or NICU unit but they do have a combined maternity/L&D floor and I thought with my experience that would be a great fit, so I applied and got the job. 

Thing is I’ve been here for 8 months now and it’s not my thing at all. It could be worse I love my coworkers and manager, I don’t mind the work I’m just so bored. L&D is exciting when it’s busy but repetitive and honestly not busy here very often. The post partum stuff I sort of hate, I don’t really care that much about babies and teaching new moms how to breastfeed or bathe babies is just not for me. 

Another then a huge negative is it’s a small town and more than half the time we don’t have any pts and then just get floated to the neighboring awaiting-long-term-care unit to do vitals and toilet pts all day. 

I've really been itching to try emerge. I want to be doing more and  learning more. I really considered emerge in school but then when I got my Paeds position I loved it and stayed. Bu not I’m just so bored. But I also know l&d is a specialized unit and the hospital spent 6 weeks training me, I love my manager and we’re super short and I don’t want to be ***. 

How long do you think I should see it out so that I put in enough time to truly say it’s not for me and also not be too unprofessional to switch units?

Thanks!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

If you can stick it out for a full year, I would say to do that. If you have a great manager and coworkers, I wouldn't be in a rush to leave - though I totally understand wanting to do something you're interested in! I would get the year in and then start looking at transferring.

That being said, if you're looking to move to a different unit within the hospital (I'm assuming emergency?), check your hospital's policy. Mine allows transfer after six months, so if you are truly losing your mind, you might be able to move on already.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Start applying for what you want. Or ask for a transfer. There isn’t any reason to stay. This isn’t your first nursing job.

[Elizabeth1414, RN]

7 hours ago, NightNerd said:

If you can stick it out for a full year, I would say to do that. If you have a great manager and coworkers, I wouldn't be in a rush to leave - though I totally understand wanting to do something you're interested in! I would get the year in and then start looking at transferring.

That being said, if you're looking to move to a different unit within the hospital (I'm assuming emergency?), check your hospital's policy. Mine allows transfer after six months, so if you are truly losing your mind, you might be able to move on already.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking too, stay for the year then apply to transfer when the next emerge position comes up. I honestly think I just feel bad because our units so short and I know my manager will be stressed if I switch but the whole hospital is short and I need to do what’s right for me??

 I’m the first to say “you don’t owe your job anything” when people talk to me about being burnt out/ needing change their hours or rotation or whatever but can’t seem to apply it to myself. 

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Wait a full year then jump ship.

[caramelwolf089, BSN, RN]

I don't really think you should stay where you are unhappy. You have experience so I don't think you should have a hard time getting hired.