New nurse transfer?

[Newnurse0428]

I am a new grad nurse who has been working on a (very busy and very short staffed) trauma/med-surg/step-down unit for 6 months. From the time I’ve spent on the unit I’ve learned a lot and am doing well, but am finding that working as a nurse at the bedside just is not a good fit and is not something that I’m interested in doing long term. The organization I work under has a position for an outpatient immediate care nurse position I am very interested in and would like to apply for, but don’t really know how to go about expressing my interest in the position. Is it something I discuss with HR? Is it something I speak with my own manager about? Should I talk to HR before submitting an application?

Also, does it look bad on me as an employee that I am looking for a new position within the organization after only 6 months? My nurse friends tell me I should stay where I’m at and ‘pay my dues’ for another 6 months before moving on. But I honestly can’t picture myself there for another month, let alone another 6.

[Norine13]

Does your hospital have a policy on how long you have to stay in a position before transferring departments? I would start with HR and speak with them first. If you think your manager would be supportive I would talk to them (after HR) but before applying..

[hopefulFNP2017]

I'm with you on that, exactly around 6 mths as a new grad too, second career, stepdown unit. It just feels so crazy because patients can be a page away from ICU and are pretty much total care at times, but instead of 2 patients like you can have in the ICU, you have a medsurg ratio.