need to transfer, please help.

[natchick5000]

Hi, I am a new nurse, just graduated in May of 2010 and was hired at a level one trauma center in September. I have been working as an RN on a Medical ICU floor since early September(3 months now), and not enjoying it. I hesitate to use the word, hate, but it's getting there. I am in desperate need of a transfer. I went to nursing school because I loved trauma, I love the ER and everything about it and I thought when I graduated that I would easily be able to get into an ER. Wrong, I moved from Arizona to Texas just to get a job and the only opening they had was in the ICU. I thought that because it was considered critical care nursing that I would enjoy it and not miss the ER, but I do. I dread coming to work and get so bored sometimes with the life of floor nursing.

I am trying to figure out the best way to approach my director with all of this. I have been looking up the policies at my hospital and they require one year on your unit before a transfer, but that exceptions can be made by your department head. I spent 8 weeks in a critical care class too, so I feel guilty asking to transfer when they have invested so much into me. I am just trying to get some advice here. I love nursing, but I was made to be an ER nurse and I miss it more than anything. I am about to get off orientation next week and I want to talk to my director next week as well regarding this, but I want to know, will this hurt my career? Could they fire me? How do I let my director know that it has nothing to do with the unit or the nurses, everything pertaining to that is great, but that my heart is just not into it?

I know that we are told to give it time when we are a new nurse, but I need a change, because I feel like I am about to fall apart. I live 800 miles away from my family and friends. I moved my whole life to Texas to fulfill the dream of being a nurse and I want more than anything to love my job, but right now I just don't.

Any advice is greatly appreciated it. Thanks.