Need advice on transferring to a different position

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Specializes in Hemonc inpatient RN.

Currently I have been working on a hemonc inpatient floor for 2 and a half years. My initial interview was with the chemotherapy clinic and I was not chosen for the position because of an internal nurse getting the position. Soon after I was interviewed for the inpatient hemonc and hired. After one year I made it known to my manager my career goal to work in the chemo clinic. After a year and a few months I spoke personally with my manager about my longing to apply for the current chemotherapy clinic position. She said at that time that I need to work on a few things and then at my 2 year mark/review I can apply for the chemo clinic. My 2 year review had only good things to say. I was rated as passing all the areas of nursing duties that are expected from me. The peer review had many compliments about me. My manager did say that I have improved in the areas she discussed such as assertiveness, and time management. I applied for the chemo clinic and was denied the position. I emailed the chemo clinic manager to see where I could improve and she said "you are a great candidate for the chemo clinic, just keep getting experience on the hemonc floor with chemotherapy." A month later I applied for another chemo clinic opening. I was denied again. I also applied for a part time ambulatory infusion clinic position so as to see what the AIC was like and see if it might be an area that interests me. I could not take a PT position and needed a full time opening. So I didn't pursue that. A few days later I spoke with my manager again in regards to being somewhat disappointed that I was denied the chemo clinic job for a second time but understood the manager is hiring to the needs of her unit. My manager then explained to me ways to improve saying "you are the nicest person I have ever met but nice people come across timid" I want you to "speak up more." She went on to say that we will see where I'm at in 6 months and then may be could apply again to the chemo clinic.

I don't understand exactly why I was reviewed at my 2 year well and the nurses I work with tell me how I would make such a great chemo clinic nurse and the chemo manager even says I would be a great fit but to keep getting experience. It doesn't make sense to keep getting experience when inpatient only gives certain chemo and I will never learn the chemo administered in the clinic area. I need some guidance or input on what you all think of this situation. There is currently an opening in the ambulatory infusion clinic that I am high interested in that is full time.  [this is a sister unit to the chemo clinic and hemonc inpatient] I want to apply but am unsure what my manager will think when I have told her I want to pursue the chemo clinic. And her giving me this 6 month time frame. How do I speak to her or explain to her I am going to apply for the AIC position in a professional way? And should I apply to it knowing we are short a nurse that just quit and short on staffing in general inpatient?  I don't want to screw over my nursing team. I need a new job that isn't 12 hours that turns into 13 and 14 hr shifts. I'm so tired physically and burned out and over the inpatient setting. My home life I feel would be better even if I worked 10 hour shifts instead. At least these 10 hours wouldn't become 11 and 12 hrs because at the end of the day I go home, I don't have to give change of shift in the AIC. 

Specializes in retired LTC.

My take is that they like you just where you are!  In one way, that's complimentary, but it's restricting your career growth.

They're nice people and I'm sure, you don't want to feel like you're 'sticking it' to them, but .... hey. Enough is enough. You are serving THEIR benefit.

I don't know how much risk you want to take. If you approach mgt with too much disappointment, they'll fear your leaving. And that could go a fewys. Either they'll continue to close you out forever (status quo lip service) or they'll consider letting you go (altho this I doubt). But then they might, just might, just realize they have a good employee that they SHOULD strive to keep within house, and then they approve a transfer request. 

Tough decision for you.

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Currently I have been working on a hemonc inpatient floor for 2 and a half years. My initial interview was with the chemotherapy clinic and I was not chosen for the position because of an internal nurse getting the position. Soon after I was interviewed for the inpatient hemonc and hired. After one year I made it known to my manager my career goal to work in the chemo clinic. After a year and a few months I spoke personally with my manager about my longing to apply for the current chemotherapy clinic position. She said at that time that I need to work on a few things and then at my 2 year mark/review I can apply for the chemo clinic. My 2 year review had only good things to say. I was rated as passing all the areas of nursing duties that are expected from me. The peer review had many compliments about me. My manager did say that I have improved in the areas she discussed such as assertiveness, and time management. I applied for the chemo clinic and was denied the position. I emailed the chemo clinic manager to see where I could improve and she said "you are a great candidate for the chemo clinic, just keep getting experience on the hemonc floor with chemotherapy." A month later I applied for another chemo clinic opening. I was denied again. I also applied for a part time ambulatory infusion clinic position so as to see what the AIC was like and see if it might be an area that interests me. I could not take a PT position and needed a full time opening. So I didn't pursue that. A few days later I spoke with my manager again in regards to being somewhat disappointed that I was denied the chemo clinic job for a second time but understood the manager is hiring to the needs of her unit. My manager then explained to me ways to improve saying "you are the nicest person I have ever met but nice people come across timid" I want you to "speak up more." She went on to say that we will see where I'm at in 6 months and then may be could apply again to the chemo clinic.

I don't understand exactly why I was reviewed at my 2 year well and the nurses I work with tell me how I would make such a great chemo clinic nurse and the chemo manager even says I would be a great fit but to keep getting experience. It doesn't make sense to keep getting experience when inpatient only gives certain chemo and I will never learn the chemo administered in the clinic area. I need some guidance or input on what you all think of this situation. There is currently an opening in the ambulatory infusion clinic that I am high interested in that is full time.  [this is a sister unit to the chemo clinic and hemonc inpatient] I want to apply but am unsure what my manager will think when I have told her I want to pursue the chemo clinic. And her giving me this 6 month time frame. How do I speak to her or explain to her I am going to apply for the AIC position in a professional way? And should I apply to it knowing we are short a nurse that just quit and short on staffing in general inpatient?  I don't want to screw over my nursing team. I need a new job that isn't 12 hours that turns into 13 and 14 hr shifts. I'm so tired physically and burned out and over the inpatient setting. My home life I feel would be better even if I worked 10 hour shifts instead. At least these 10 hours wouldn't become 11 and 12 hrs because at the end of the day I go home, I don't have to give change of shift in the AIC. 

 

It sounds like you may need to apply for jobs outside of your system. Your manager does not need to be informed until you have a written job offer that you've decided to accept.

Specializes in Hemonc inpatient RN.

Thank you both for the responses. Whenever anyone applies to a job within the hospital-the manager instantly is emailed and made aware. Usually the manager of where you applied will reach out to your manager to get "input" from them. I personally believe I was spoken negatively about to the chemo clinic manager and thats why I had been accepted to the position. I believe that because the chemo clinic manager hired an unexperienced with chemotherapy RN from  the inpatient floor right next to mine. It doesn't make sense. But when I applied to the AIC I had 2 nurses give me great references and that manager seemed very impressed with me and at that time I could not take the AIC part time position. So now I am considering reapplying to AIC but my manager will know the instant that I do. 

 

Specializes in retired LTC.
3 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

It sounds like you may need to apply for jobs outside of your system. Your manager does not need to be informed until you have a written job offer that you've decided to accept.

This was one of the options I suspected. Like I said, you DO serve their purpose to remain where you are. But your having been there 2 1/2 years does bespeak like someone else's 'sour grapes'.

OP - I would STRONGLY suggest that you change your screen name here to something anonymous. You never know who else visits the site and yes, it is poss that your employer (or someone else close) is following here.

Recently, a few of us members suspected that some other unknown member recognized herself thru the posting here. Just enough details were provided that the unknown poster recognized herself as the questioned behavior stopped just at the time of the orig posting.

On another posting, someone from the HR dept of a facility responded wanting to talk with the poster directly.

So we all know that anyone & everyone reads these posts, not just nurse members.

To you & others, be safe. The mods here can help you change your name

"you are the nicest person I have ever met but nice people come across timid" I want you to "speak up more." Now is the time to use that advice. Tell your manager you are applying to the ambulatory infusion clinic . It is the straightest path to your goal. You cannot worry about the needs of your current unit. Time to move on.

 Good luck

Specializes in Hemonc inpatient RN.
45 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

This was one of the options I suspected. Like I said, you DO serve their purpose to remain where you are. But your having been there 2 1/2 years does bespeak like someone else's 'sour grapes'.

OP - I would STRONGLY suggest that you change your screen name here to something anonymous. You never know who else visits the site and yes, it is poss that your employer (or someone else close) is following here.

Recently, a few of us members suspected that some other unknown member recognized herself thru the posting here. Just enough details were provided that the unknown poster recognized herself as the questioned behavior stopped just at the time of the orig posting.

On another posting, someone from the HR dept of a facility responded wanting to talk with the poster directly.

So we all know that anyone & everyone reads these posts, not just nurse members.

To you & others, be safe. The mods here can help you change your name

I will definitely get my screen name changed. It is a name that is different from my work name so I altered it fully but will change it to something totally different just in case. 

I'm unsure if you saw my last comment that all internal transfers/applications to jobs are directly notified to the manager of the position you are in. So I thought that speaking to her before hand would be more professional than just applying and not touching base with her. Knowing very well she knows I applied. 

I will take all the replies into consideration. Thank you 

 

 

Thank you for the input again. 

Specializes in retired LTC.

Notifying your manager is a general courtesy - just so you're NOT blind-siding her. Nice professional manners are always appreciated and speak well of you.

And smart decision to change your screen name.

Good luck.

Your manager, for reasons unlikely to be told to you in a straightforward manner, is not cooperating with the idea of you making an internal transfer.

7 hours ago, Spinnurse said:

My manager then explained to me ways to improve saying "you are the nicest person I have ever met but nice people come across timid" I want you to "speak up more." She went on to say that we will see where I'm at in 6 months and then may be could apply again to the chemo clinic.

I know I should assume the best about people but its just interesting how and when managers choose to concern themselves with this sort of thing. I haven't experienced many of them going around regularly seeking to make each nurse into a stronger individual or professional. This concern strikes me as an excuse.

7 hours ago, Spinnurse said:

How do I speak to her or explain to her I am going to apply for the AIC position in a professional way?

Apply if you choose to. She will find out. You don't have to get her permission to apply. But it seems like she will probably continue to block you for the time being, doesn't it?

7 hours ago, Spinnurse said:

And should I apply to it knowing we are short a nurse that just quit and short on staffing in general inpatient? 

Why would that have anything to do with what you need to do for your life?

7 hours ago, Spinnurse said:

I don't want to screw over my nursing team.

You wouldn't be screwing over anyone.

 

I agree with the others, you need to start applying outside of your system if you are serious about making a change.

Good luck ~

 

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