Med/Surg to ICU

[Ginger27, BSN, RN]

So I’ve been a nurse since August of 2019. I have always wanted to do ICU but wanted to get my year of med/surg in. I’ve been thinking about making an internal transfer in November/December of 2020. My med/surg unit does do tele and I have my ACLS already. The problem is my med/surg unit does routine hip/knee replacements, cellulitis, abd pain, and that’s about it! I really feel like I’m at a standstill with my learning on that unit. Some type of ICU is my end goal and I’ve been feeling like I need a change. Ever since COVID I’ve been getting lots of experiences and it’s been a great learning experience but *hopefully* COVID won’t last forever and the return to the mundane will start back up. I’m always trying to learn new things and I like more critical patients so I think ICU would be good for me.
With all that said my boyfriend will be going to grad school in June of 2021 and we’ll have to move for his schooling. Should I make the swap to work in my hospital’s ICU for 6-ish months or should I just wait it out until we move? It would be an internal transfer and I believe the orientation is about 6-7 weeks. I’m at a loss of what to do. I don’t want to waste their time!

[acmt27, BSN, RN]

I'm in sort of the same boat! Trying to switch from tele to ICU, I hate the monotony of a non critical floor and am most excited and focused in the few times where our floor is in an emergent situation. I would totally say to go for it but I don't think I would switch if you're gonna be leaving in 6 months. Those 6 months would be on your resume which wouldn't look great when looking for post-move jobs.

[Ginger27, BSN, RN]

46 minutes ago, acmt27 said:

I'm in sort of the same boat! Trying to switch from tele to ICU, I hate the monotony of a non critical floor and am most excited and focused in the few times where our floor is in an emergent situation. I would totally say to go for it but I don't think I would switch if you're gonna be leaving in 6 months. Those 6 months would be on your resume which wouldn't look great when looking for post-move jobs.

Ugh. Good point. It would be at least a 2 hour move though so I wonder if they would look at that if I did swap

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Two ways to look at it. I think (and I'm not 100% sure about this) ICU orientation is a little longer, especially if you have no prior ICU experience, than M/S orientation. I know at my hospital if you make the move to ICU you get a 6 month orientation. On the other hand, if it's less than 6 months of orientation then apply and when you go to apply for new ICU jobs when you move you can say "Well I have a few months experience but had to move".

[beekee]

Why not just try to transfer now?

[Ginger27, BSN, RN]

7 minutes ago, beekee said:

Why not just try to transfer now?

Haven’t hit my year yet and my hospital won’t let you do ICU without 1 year med surg (we’re a tiny hospital). Plus I just became the scheduler for my floor - That would look bad too, leaving after not finishing even one schedule ?

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Side note: Having spent the last 6+ years working directly with new graduate RNs I do not recommend switching units in the first year unless you are at risk from bullying or other toxic behaviors. There is a significant growth and reality shock curve that happens in that first year.

[AceOfHearts<3]

Honestly, you aren’t going to like my answer, but if you are going to be leaving within 6 months you shouldn’t transfer- not to a unit like ICU. A nurse new to the ICU should have roughly 3 months of orientation. Transferring knowing you will be quitting shortly after is selfish and a drain of resources. It will take tens of thousands of dollars to orient you to the ICU and the unit will not get any type of return on that investment. They will also be in the same position of having to orient another nurse just a few months later to fill your spot. It’s financially draining, but constantly precepting new nurses to the unit is also physically/mentally/emotionally tiring for the existing staff. If you want to make a change once you hit the year mark make a more lateral transfer where there isn’t nearly as much training involved.

It is also not a good idea to use your full name and a picture of yourself on an anonymous message board. For all you know the manager or a staff nurse of the unit you want to transfer into could see this post and recognize you.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

This is supposed to be an anonymous forum. Change your name and picture STAT. Probably too late... as your real world problem is out there... for all to see.

Move on with any new training you can get. Your expected plan for 2021 may or may not happen.

Best wishes.

[Ginger27, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, Been there,done that said:

This is supposed to be an anonymous forum. Change your name and picture STAT. Probably too late... as your real world problem is out there... for all to see.

Move on with any new training you can get. Your expected plan for 2021 may or may not happen.

Best wishes.

Lord I wish it didn’t rip all my info off of facebook ??‍♀️ Thanks for letting me know.

[Ginger27, BSN, RN]

4 hours ago, AceOfHearts<3 said:

Honestly, you aren’t going to like my answer, but if you are going to be leaving within 6 months you shouldn’t transfer- not to a unit like ICU. A nurse new to the ICU should have roughly 3 months of orientation. Transferring knowing you will be quitting shortly after is selfish and a drain of resources. It will take tens of thousands of dollars to orient you to the ICU and the unit will not get any type of return on that investment. They will also be in the same position of having to orient another nurse just a few months later to fill your spot. It’s financially draining, but constantly precepting new nurses to the unit is also physically/mentally/emotionally tiring for the existing staff. If you want to make a change once you hit the year mark make a more lateral transfer where there isn’t nearly as much training involved.

It is also not a good idea to use your full name and a picture of yourself on an anonymous message board. For all you know the manager or a staff nurse of the unit you want to transfer into could see this post and recognize you.

I want both pros and cons so I’m glad you mentioned that. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time so I’ll definitely take that into consideration. Cant make any lateral transfers as the next step at my hospital is ICU. We don’t have a PCU and I already do tele and ACLS

Also thank you. Hate when sites rip all my info off of it. All this will be an open convo with my current manager and possible future manager. I don’t like to hide my intentions from people. Told my current boss I wanted to do ICU eventually when I was ready. Just trying to weigh pros and cons I guess ??‍♀️

[FallingInPlace, ADN, BSN, RN]

Change your FB settings! And best of luck on your decision. I think there is a lot to learn in med-surg in your second year, and taking on added responsibilities with your unit looks great on your resume.