How to tell manager you are seeking internal transfer

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

....What is the most professional and non burning bridges way of letting your manager know that 'fyi, I have an interview with the manager of xyz unit"

[VANurse2010]

If it's like my old hospital, your manager gets an email as soon as you hit "submit" on the internal application. It wouldn't surprise me if yours is the same.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Oh dont worry they already know.

[1wellnessnurse]

I would tell your nurse manager that you put in for a transfer because you would like the opportunity to grow professionally and thank him/her for the opportunity to work on his unit. A thank you for our time working together goes a long way.

[exp626]

The previous posters are correct. I think it's still a good idea to talk with your manager, and go into the conversation as though you had no idea they'd know about the interview. You can go into the conversation with your appreciation for what a good manager they are and that you're grateful for the opportunity they've given you. You can say that you wanted to inform them before they found out by some other means out of respect. You can talk about your future goals in nursing and how you hope this new position will better groom you toward those goals. You can also tell them that you would like to be able to come back to the unit one day if your goals change or this new position turns out to not be a good fit. Obviously you can only say these things if they're true, but perhaps this gives you a place from which to work.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Managers talk to each other. I'm sure your manager already knows.

One time I applied to go to another unit. That manager came to talk to the current manager about me. It actually was a good thing, since my current manager gave me a great reference.

You have to be careful about burning bridges, though, since you never know when you might need the "old place."

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Your manager probably already knows, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to her about it. Next time, the time to talk to your manager is BEFORE you hit the "submit" button on that internal transfer application!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Managers talk! Recently I found out that managers I know of that are the same level and in some cases higher also hangout together even if they do not work for the same facility or for the same organization! So if I were to transfer to another facility or apply to another organization, my manager will find out. Thus, I pretend that my managers know everything I do all the time and inform him/her as if he/she will not know otherwise.

Good luck with your transfer because transfers can be very political. For example, you may not get the job if your manager agreed with another not to steal each other's nurses..... I know that this sounds wrong, but the fact that they talk to each other also plays into how they view us (employees/non-mangers). Many managers see us as numbers and so many can care less about our career goals or aspirations. If our leaving hurts their bottom line, then they can make it difficult for us to leave. I have seen this and more. Again, good luck.

[gypsyd8]

The previous posters are correct. I think it's still a good idea to talk with your manager, and go into the conversation as though you had no idea they'd know about the interview. You can go into the conversation with your appreciation for what a good manager they are and that you're grateful for the opportunity they've given you. You can say that you wanted to inform them before they found out by some other means out of respect. You can talk about your future goals in nursing and how you hope this new position will better groom you toward those goals. You can also tell them that you would like to be able to come back to the unit one day if your goals change or this new position turns out to not be a good fit. Obviously you can only say these things if they're true, but perhaps this gives you a place from which to work.

Just FYI: You can say all those things if they're lies too. I am hightailing it out of my facility and you bet yer britches I am kissing butt on the way out. "Oh I so appreciate the opportunity to work here!" blah blah blah. I am not telling them their facility sucks, their organization sucks, their system sucks, and they can stick it where the sun don't shine.

When I put in for a transfer to go to ICU I just applied. Everybody knew I had the job before I did. When I put in for a transfer to get out of the toxic ICU hellhole I found myself in I simply handed my boss the form to sign. She was part of the interview panel for the new job ...

I ended up getting another job. Sayonara beotches! So long and thanks for all the grief! Hope y'all get shut down by the state!

Of course I will write glowing letters about all the cliquish co-workers I cannot stand and how much I will miss everybody. Not.

This is your job and your career. You do not owe anybody shite. Just don't burn bridges. In other words, sometimes it is okay to lie.

[guest744967]

I had this same burning question a couple months ago. Because my old NM tends to find write ups to lock folks in if they find out you want out. So the way I did it was I dropped a hint that I had interest in another unit in a casual meeting but that it wasn't being pursued at the time. I expressed that I wanted growth and a different challenge. So when the time came I applied and every place is different. In my case if you get an interview it says you have to tell. Well I got it and so it was hard but I went face to face. Luckily they heard the same news. So it was a perfect moment to talk it out. It all worked out shockingly and I received a good review. I learned that NM understand that people will come and go to try other things. So express how you have learned alot on your floor and you crave a different adventure..etc etc..Good Luck..try not to burn one if you're staying in the same hospital though.

[BellionRN]

I know this is an old thread ... but what is your guys' opinions on being in a brand new hospital, in a whole new location, and you've only been in your new unit a short time (not a good fit, not what I want to do) and you want to transfer internally?

[Loo17]

I know this is an old thread ... but what is your guys' opinions on being in a brand new hospital, in a whole new location, and you've only been in your new unit a short time (not a good fit, not what I want to do) and you want to transfer internally?

You should talk to HR or talent acquisition. Most hospitals would like to retain. Its expensive to train.