Nervous About Requesting a Transfer

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

I work for a health center organization in a specialty program. I was hired 2.5 years ago, and my program changed directors 2 years ago. I like the work I do and I like the site I work at, but it's been difficult working for the new director, and after an incident I had Friday, I'm planning to request a transfer. 

Short version: my director provided dishonest clinical supervision to me for a patient experiencing a BH crisis.

Long version: On Friday I spoke with a patient by phone and found her to still be in a BH crisis less than 24 hours after her hospital discharge. By crisis I mean delusional thinking, paranoia...it was a lot to have to handle on a Friday afternoon. I reported this to my director, she spoke with another staff person who knows this patient well, then told me what this staff person said. Based on this info, I decided not to call 911 or other emergency BH services, and opted to have the patient come in Monday for follow up as was already scheduled. On Monday, I spoke with the other staff person and found out that everything my director told me was a lie, and the staff person had said something completely different about this patient. 

I cannot continue to work under a director who breaks basic professional standards and does not maintain safety for patients. But I don't want to leave my organization. There's a new location opening in September that I'd like to transfer to, but I'm not sure how to go about this. I feel bad leaving my current coworkers and the patients I work with. I don't want to tell my director I'm requesting a transfer, but I'm wondering if I'm obligated to. I'm worried my director could have my transfer denied, or my organization could pick other people instead of me. I don't want to report my director for what she did- she's known in the organization for being unprofessional but was promoted to director anyways- but if I can't be transferred to a new role, then I'm going to leave my job. 

I tried to keep my post on the short side, but I can provide more details if they would be helpful! I appreciate any advice you have to share. I've never been in a situation like this before, and I'm stumped. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Your director will find out one way or another- it's probably better to get ahead of it and let her know directly.  Honestly, if the example you gave of what your director did is par for the course, she may try to sabotage it. But if you would be leaving the place in lieu of continuing to work under her anyway, what do you have to lose by trying for the transfer?

[Emergent, RN]

Don't ever feel constrained by loyalty to coworkers. You'll be forgotten pretty quickly once you leave. I have made a few friends throughout my nursing career, but most people that I bonded to in the workplace mean nothing to me now. As soon as you leave you become dead to them.

[Davey Do]

51 minutes ago, UrbanHealthRN said:

I like the work I do and I like the site I work at, but it's been difficult working for the new director,

I cannot continue to work under a director who breaks basic professional standards and does not maintain safety for patients. But I don't want to leave my organization.

Having experienced similar situations back in the mid to late 90's, I'll relay what I did to deal with them, UrbanHealthRN.

A new leader was hired for the ACT program at the community MH center, who did things which were interpreted as incompetent and uncaring. As the two senior members, me as the RN and an MHP, discussed our concerns several times with the team leader which came to naught.

The MHP and I objectively documented the concerns and followed the chain of command, basically. Since the MPH and I had a really good relationship with the administrator, after informing the assistant administrator, we had a "chat" with the administrator.

In short, the team leader was closely monitored, demoted, and transferred to another program. He was fired sometime later for a confidentiality breach.

As Edgar Cayce said, "You can't get someone in more trouble than they can get themselves into".

In another situation, at the same facility and program, I was being harassed by yet another team leader, plus a program supervisor. Again, I objectively documented and followed the chain of command in submitting my complaints, but also requested a transfer to the outpatient program.

Administration drug their heels on my transfer request, and the situation with the team leader and program supervisor came to a head when I walked out of a meeting where they were blasting me.

I was suspended with pay for a week, and then called into a meeting with the assistant administrator who okayed my transfer to the outpatient program.

So, in short, UrbanHealthRN, I advise objectively documenting concerns, following chain of command, camp out on administration's doorstep, be a thorn in their side, and let nature take its course.

Good luck and the best to you!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

15 minutes ago, Emergent said:

Don't ever feel constrained by loyalty to coworkers. You'll be forgotten pretty quickly once you leave. I have made a few friends throughout my nursing career, but most people that I bonded to in the workplace mean nothing to me now. As soon as you leave you become dead to them.

I've had two exceptions, but overall my experience has been the same.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I once transferred to another department, I did not tell my director until I had received the offer notice from Human Resources. At which time, the recruiter instructed me to inform my director, in person about the impending transfer. Once I had informed them, the recruiter reached out formally to my director to coordinate a transfer date that worked for both departments. 

I found this process minimized stress in the event that I did not receive the position. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Okami_CCRN said:

I once transferred to another department, I did not tell my director until I had received the offer notice from Human Resources. At which time, the recruiter instructed me to inform my director, in person about the impending transfer. Once I had informed them, the recruiter reached out formally to my director to coordinate a transfer date that worked for both departments. 

I found this process minimized stress in the event that I did not receive the position. 

Interesting. So the new department took you on without asking your current manager for an internal reference, it seems...

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

33 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

Interesting. So the new department took you on without asking your current manager for an internal reference, it seems...

I'm sure they did their due diligence and reviewed my employee file, evaluations, and contacted my references. In the initial stages HR and the hiring manager asked me if my director was aware that I was looking at transferring to another department and I was honest and said I prefer to discuss this with them if and when I was offered the position. 

In my defense I listed other supervisory references such as the nursing supervisor and charge nurses I worked with more frequently. 

[HiddenAngels]

"I cannot continue to work under a director who breaks basic professional standards and does not maintain safety for patients. But I don't want to leave my organization."

Be upfront, go for the transfer.   But, you should always have a Plan B, that loyalty you have to your organization, it can sometimes be a hindrance. Stay fluid.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, HiddenAngels said:

"I cannot continue to work under a director who breaks basic professional standards and does not maintain safety for patients. But I don't want to leave my organization."

 

I'm not sure I'd lob that particular grenade within the organization that I'm trying to stay with. I think it's possible that it could work against you.

Truth does not always win out.

[mimibrown, ADN, BSN]

Request the transfer first. Wait until you have an interview lined up to tell the director. I waited until I had an interview before I told my manager. She was very supportive though. Don’t feel bad about going where you feel comfortable.

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

"You'll be forgotten pretty quickly once you leave".

Yep. These companies are looking out for #1 so you should do the same. Always do what's best for you and your family.