How soon is too soon to quit a new nursing job!

[Nurse4evervdw]

Hey everyone ! I just switched from labor and delivery to critical care and I realize I made a mistake. I am so unhappy in critical care and this experience just made me realize I am happy as a labor and delivery nurse. I have been a nurse for 7 years and had been doing labor and delivery for 4 years up until this latest idea I had to switch to critical care.

My problem is I just got off my critical care orientation and I have only been working at this facility for a little over three months! I am just wondering how soon is too soon to try to switch to the labor and delivery unit at this new hospital. I know I intend to leave it's just a question of when. I used to love coming to work when I was working labor and delivery and now I dread every shift!

Please advise!! Should I go speak to there director or just wait it out miserable until some unclear amount of time that's "acceptable" before leaving?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

The transfer policy is usually set by the facility and can be found in the employee handbook- have you checked there? Most places have a rule of thumb of one year, but no transfer is guaranteed.

[Nurse4evervdw]

Thank you! Great advice!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Transfer, quit.. whatever. They don't own you. You have many adventures ahead.

Best wishes.

[NurseCard, ADN]

what made you decide to a) switch to critical care and b) switch hospitals?

[Sour Lemon]

what made you decide to a) switch to critical care and b) switch hospitals?

That's what I want to know. Are you working towards some greater goal, or was it just a whim? If there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it might be worth sticking around. If not, get out now.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Most likely the hospital won't allow an internal transfer until you've worked there for a specified period of time so, if you want to stay with your current employer, you're bound by their rules. If you want to leave the employer, apply for L&D jobs and then, once you've been offered one, tell your current manager that you've realized critical care ins't for you and you'll be returning to L&D. This short of an employment on your resume will be easy to explain in the future- "I thought I wanted a change from L&D but after a few months in critical care, I realized L&D/maternity/women's health is where I'm meant to be."

[Buckeye.nurse]

Were there bigger issues that influenced your decision to leave L&D and your previous employer? If you left on good terms, and were given the option of an open door, generally going back to a previous job is seen as more positive on a resume or interview.

In fact, my employer requires nurses to stay on a unit 18 months before transferring *UNLESS* the employee wants to transfer back to a previous unit they've worked on. After all, hind-sight sometimes really is 20-20.

[OldDude]

I didn't answer the poll because it's important to know if you are running toward something or running away from something. Good luck

[Triddin]

Critical care also takes at least 6 months to feel kind of comfortable with what you are doing, and I don't think you ever feel 100% certain because the latest practices are always changing. Depending why you dislike it, I would wait another few months until you are more comfortable and decide from there

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You're in a new environment and a new specialty. It's normal to feel like a fish out of water. Give it at least six months and then see now you feel. A year would be better. It takes about a year to feel comfortable in a new job.

[saskrn]

When I was in a similar situation HR told me that they required a one year commitment to the specialty before they'd consider a transfer to a different specialty. They wouldn't accept 6 months.