How to tell my boss I want to transfer?

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So just little background - I've been a nurse for almost 3 years now. Nursing is my second career as I worked in marketing and public relations for 10 years prior. I have a MSN because I decided to do an accelerated direct-entry MSN program for those who have bachelors in other fields. In nursing school, I knew that I would eventually work in leadership, administration or management (my MSN emphasis is the clinical nurse leader role aka CNL). However, I wanted to make sure I got 5 years of clinical bedside experience under my belt before leaving the floor. Well, I just can't do it anymore. My first job as a new grad was on medsurg/telemetry floor and I actually still work on this floor, but on a per diem basis, as I started what I thought would be my dream job in January 2014 in a level 3 NICU. So here I am with 2 1/2 years with current medsurg/tele experience in addition to 10 months of NICU experience, and I'm realizing I'm done with bedside.

At first, I thought that it was just working medsurg/tele (which I loathe this unit) and that I would feel better once I went to NICU, which is the area I wanted to work in during nursing school. Well, that isn't even the case now that I'm in it. I make about $47/hr in my NICU position and $55/hr in my per diem position (I'm in Los Angeles), so the money is great, but not worth my happiness, health, and lack of job satisfaction. I mentioned health because I work nights and I feel that my physical and mental health has taken a complete blow by working nights for almost 3 years. I absolutely hate it. I'm tired all the time. I've gained about 10 lbs. I'm agitated and snappy with my boyfriend and mom. And I just feel like I have no life anymore because on my days off all I want to do is sleep. Now before anyone says maybe I just need to move to days, I trained during days as a new grad and when I moved into my NICU position, and on both floors I completely disliked days, so while nights don't agree with me, I know I wouldn't be that much happier doing days bedside either.

I've come to realize that I'm ready to leave bedside. I really want to secure a case management position. I've been struggling with this decision for the last few months for several reasons: first, I feel guilty with wanting to leave the floor so early on in my career and a part of me feels that I should just tough it out. And secondly, I worked really hard to get into NICU (said dream job, or so I thought) and I know the hospital spent a lot of money on training me those first 3 months. So this is where I'm conflicted. But I'm quickly coming to the realization that I owe it to myself to be happy and actually enjoy my job and feel like I'm good at it and making an impact on my patients' lives and I'm smart enough to know that this can be achieved away from bedside and floor nursing as well.

So at my current hospital where I work NICU, nurses are allowed to put in for a transfer after 6 months (granted you have to meet the qualifications of the position and interview for it). There are a few case management positions available and I really want to apply for them. I meet all of the initial qualifications - BSN (I have a MSN) and at least 2 years of acute care nursing (I have almost 3). The position says CCM and case management experience preferred but not required. So I need help in going about telling my manager that I want to go into case management and apply to these positions - she, of course, would be notified of my request once I apply so I want to make sure I talk to her about it first.

Any suggestions would be extremely helpful. I really want to get going with applying for positions in case management, even if they are outside of my current hospital. Also, has anyone ever been in this position with knowing you were in the wrong place and asking for transfer with less than a year in said position?

I really appreciate any suggestions, tips, words of encouragement, and for reading this long dissertation lol

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I' m confused.. it is 6 months or 1 year before you can apply to other positions?

Either way.. you have put in your time.. you owe nothing to your manager. This is your life, your career, and your mental health.

You have excellent qualifications... you've got this.:up:

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You might find your manager to be supportive. Just talk to her. Unless you talk yourself out of it altogether, you are going to have to talk to her about it. Good luck.

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Thank you both. Sorry to be confusing, Been there done that, but you can actually put in a transfer after 6 months. I just felt like maybe I should put in my 1 year mark on this floor. But since my 1 year will be here in January, doesn't hurt to start applying now. I sent my boss an email asking if we can meet and discuss my exploring other opportunities within the hospital since it seems my career goals are headed in a different direction. Hopefully she is supportive and this doesn't back fire on me! Thanks for advice!

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You might look at becoming case management certified, that would make you more attractive for the case management position. Yes, you should talk to your manager, maybe she has a better idea of how nurses actually leave the bedside. I find that usually management has someone "picked" for these type of positions even though they will advertise them. Good Luck, if you feel you really are not being utilized to your full potential then you should move away from the bedside and be where you will be fulfilled.

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My goal is to obtain my CCM - but I need experience in case management before I can even sit for the certification. So once I've had a year under my belt, I plan to sit for the exam.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I do not think your boss is the first person to contact. Should be HR, let them tell the boss, and then discuss it later if it actually comes to fruition.

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I agree with classicdame. Why are you involving your boss in this? Most transfer application requests have an area which state that you do not want your current boss to be contacted. The only time your boss needs to know is after you've accepted a new position. I have personally done an internal transfer before and my boss never knew until I gave her my notice.

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How has your entry level msn been for finskng a job?! I want to work in the NICU too! And I have a bachelor degree on business marketing. You sound very familiar to myself. Please guide me lol. Was it hard for you to find a job? I will be going to school in LA as well, charles drew university

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