Job transfer regret

[Nurseynurse11, ASN, RN]

Need some advice. I recently transferred positions within my company and after a month I’ve realized it’s not the specialty I enjoy. I went from bedside where I was for 3 years and got burnt out to being in the operating room but I miss direct patient care. During my interview it was mentioned to me the possibility of being trained pre and post op. I really enjoy pre op and the patient interaction there. My second week of orientation my assistant manager came up to me and told me to let them know is this wasn’t for me. I’m considering saying something and seeing if there’s any way to switch to prep op but I also don’t want to risk being let go or having it assumed I’m resigning if there isn’t anything available.
Should I say something or just deal with the position for the minimum 6 months before I can apply somewhere else without having to actually say anything? 

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

Your assistant manager is basically saying if this isn't for you let them know now! It takes quite a while to orient someone to the OR fully and I don't think it would make them any happier to put in that effort with you and you leave in six months then it would to just admit you aren't sure right off the bat before they've invested time in you. It couldn't hurt to say that you aren't really sure if you'll be content there long-term and feel you might be a better fit for the pre-op area. However, if there isn't a position available in pre-op right now you have to decide if you want to stick it out until one opens up or try something else completely. Also, if you decide not to say anything and wait six months and decide to leave for pre-op job if one is available then they may say we don't trust you not to leave in another six months and pass on you. Just some things to think about!

[MHDNURSE]

Seems like maybe the manager is already sensing that this might not be for you.  I would be upfront and honest before you dig yourself into a hole and then feel stuck.

[Nurseynurse11, ASN, RN]

So I ended up telling them and now I feel even more stuck. They made it sound like they would help me transfer out but said I need to apply to any position I’m interested in. The pre op spot I am interested in has 16 other applicants some of which have a lot more experience than me. Apparently I’m in line to hear from them for an interview but I don’t have high hopes hearing that. They also said they’d reach out to my previous manager to see if I can go back but when I inquired about that again I got no real response. 

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

1 hour ago, Nurseynurse11 said:

They also said they’d reach out to my previous manager to see if I can go back but when I inquired about that again I got no real response. 

You mentioned in your original post that you were burned out in that job. I'm sure that it hasn't changed. I don't understand you considering returning to it.

[Nurseynurse11, ASN, RN]

I was and I really don’t want to go back but… I recently found out I’m expecting so that is what is making me feel like if I’m sure this isn’t for me and I can’t get into the position I feel I would be a better fit in then the safest bet would be to return to my old floor until after I get back from leave and then try transferring again. 

[sleepwalker, MSN, NP]

18 hours ago, Nurseynurse11 said:

I was and I really don’t want to go back but… I recently found out I’m expecting so that is what is making me feel like if I’m sure this isn’t for me and I can’t get into the position I feel I would be a better fit in then the safest bet would be to return to my old floor until after I get back from leave and then try transferring again. 

This "plan" will get you on the radar of HR and every manager in the facility and you'll quickly find yourself an "untouchable" due to being high maintenance and lacking in commitment 

just my 2 cents....

[Nurseynurse11, ASN, RN]

I’m actually not too worried since policy says we can transfer after 6 months (with your manager’s approval you can leave sooner which is what I have) but either way this was my first transfer in my 3 years being here so having one failed attempt I don’t believe will make me “untouchable” or make me look like I lack commitment but I do understand your point and I’m certainly not a job hopper. I really am looking for somewhere long term. Either way if I end up going back to my old floor I wouldn’t be looking to leave for at least a full year so I don’t believe that looks bad. 

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

On 10/21/2021 at 1:23 PM, Nurseynurse11 said:

I was and I really don’t want to go back but… I recently found out I’m expecting so that is what is making me feel like if I’m sure this isn’t for me and I can’t get into the position I feel I would be a better fit in then the safest bet would be to return to my old floor until after I get back from leave and then try transferring again. 

One man's opinion ( I agree with sleepwalker) is that going back and then leaving again will get you branded as a job hopper who cannot be counted upon.